The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-18
SANPETE TEACHERS.
Lectures By Professor Kerr and In
teresting Discussions.

Mt. Pleasant April 1.-THE April session
of the Sanpete County Teachers institute
! convened yesterday morning at Moroni:
at 10 o'clock with a good representation Of
| teachers of the county present. The only
person of distinction in educational cir
cles from outside the county was Prof.
! w. J. Kerr. president of the l.. d. S. col
| lege of Logan. who delivered two excel
lent lectures during the proceedings.
After the conclusion of the opening
| formalities, j. NJ. Christensen of Moroni.
addressed the teachers on the subject of
| Programme; Its Order" Mr.. Christen-
sen had secured and read the ideas and
thorities of the state as Prof Oldham,
of Cache county; Superintendent Van
Colt. of Salt Lake; the principals of the
Payson and Ogden schools. and others on
the subject 1t was the universal opinion
of these gentlemen that a programme of
recitationS was necessary for best re-
suits, some also advancing the idea that
a programme for the guidance of the
pupil during hours devoted to study was
also beneficial A majority favored the
morning hour for heavy studies, those re-
arithmetic. grammar, science, history.
etc. the lighter studies to occupy the
afternoon hours.
The same subject was discussed shortly
by A. n. Miner. of Fairview. whose ideas
were much along the same lines. His
idea was that all studies hinged on and
were subordinate to certain extent to
reading.
The idea was advanced and received the
endorsement of Superintendent Nelson
and others that a programme should be
teachers as far as possible. The county
superintendent and board of education
should formulate same.
PROF. KERR'S LECTURE.
Prof. Kerr was next introduced and oc-
cupied the remainder of the morning ses-
sion. His subject was "Math ematical
Science" In beginning he referred to the
prevalent idea that males generally, were
liz aTfo don feafI t1n
full prosecution of mathematical studies
than females. In his opinion the idea
was altogether erroneous and he related
personal observations to bear out the
assertion. re gave a short definition
to what mathematics consisted of. nam
ing few of the 80 or so branches COM
posing the whole subject There is Moth
ing in the world of greater value than
mathematics. BY its aid the most COM
pick problems are solved bearing on al
most any subject.
forcibly delivered and received the keen
est attention from the assemblage.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
After a two-hours' intermission the sub
ject Literature in the Grammar Grade"
was presented by Mrs. Annie Z. Stevens,
of Fairview. The literature read had the
greatest influence on the expanding
mind of growing child. Teachers
introduced. Books of purely noble char
acter and tendency to elevate are desir-
able The effect of blood-curiling from
tier tales was illustrated. The young
get the idea that if they cannot relate PER-
sonal deeds of daring and heroism. they
are not good men and women. Every eff
fort must be made By teachers to guard
against such results.
''Speer Arithmetic was ably handled
by Miss Mary Johansen, of Mt. Pleasant
She considered from actual experience
that the system was success. In order
to gain relative ideas things must be
compared. In the beginners grade the
childs mind may be made to grasp intel
ligently ideas of ratio and relation by
the comparison of the blocks used in this
method.
Prof. Kerr concluded this session by an
Teachers" Teachers should keep in
touch with the educational spirit of the
day. Personality character and example
are of greater value to a successful educa-
tor than mere learning and smartness. A
man or woman who can solve riddles,
parse words and has fiippant use of Ian
guage is not claSsed as successful. but
one who can concentrate the mind and
being into use of all az all "a forces in an
earnest, intelligent way foi the solving
of any problem or to ga. a G=si, I'd end
is a successful person. Education is the
development of powers, not the a. umu-
lation of knowledge
In teaching children teachers are re-
quired to bend down aducationally
Guard against remaining down. Neglect
no opportunity for study. push and work,
but devote every available moment to self
instruction. Travel, get in contact with
others see the country get enlarged
ideas on all subjects and your personal
growth will be great.
It was announced that the next and last
institute of the season will be held in
early May.