The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-02-06
TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
INTERESTING MEETING HELD AT CENTFE-
NAL GRADED SCHOOL.
Circulating Libraries" and ''LocaI Geogra
ply" Were the Pri5cipal Sub
ectS Discussed.

Notwithstanding the weather, ohout
twenty of Wake county's teachers MS
sembed in the library of the Centennial
Graded school yesterday. 1t was n
meeting of the County Teachers Asso-
citation.
The question of school libraries was
discussed, how to secure them. Much
interest was shown by all, and nearly
every teacher present made some sng
gestiOn.
Mr. r. l.. Middleton, of Cary. recon-
mended making an effort by several com
mittees, to establish u circulating libra
ry. His plan is for each community to-
contribute a certain amount for a lot
of books to be owned by all in common.
These books are to be divided among
the committees that have agreed to CO.
operate thus, and at the end of a fixed
time, say thee months or six, each COM
munity is to send away the books on
hand to some other community, and re-
ceive a new lot.
A committee, consisting of Mr.. Middle
ton and Mr.. A. L. Sans, Of Gary, was
appointed to propose a definite plan for
such circulating library, to recommend
books, and to find out the cost, and re-
port at the next meeting of the assOcia-
ton, which will he April 2.
Local geography was introduced by
Superintendent Howell, of Raleigh. who
read a paper on the teaching of North
Carolina geography, beginning with the
school district, and proceeding to the
county, and by constantly enlarging the
circle of knowledge, let it take in the
whole State He said that we are for
tunate in having State like North
Carolina, which furnishes every type
for geographical study, except a desert
and am active volcano. If North Caro-
lima is learned thoroughly, it will make
the study of the rest of the world easy.
The first thing to do is to learn the
home section. the school district.
Supervisor Norris said "We all are too
ignorant ourselves of the State. and even
of our county" He thought that every
teacher ought to get Il map of the coun-
ty. Mr.. Norris also suggested that Il
part of the programme for several meet
ings be descriptions by teachers in diff
ferent parts of Wake county, Of their
immediate neighborhoods. This is to in
clude the surface of the country, drain
age character of the soil, products, char
acteristics of the people, their Occupa-
tons relative to other parts of the
country.
Miss Register, of the Raleigh schools,
recommended a geographical exchange,
by means of which teachers all over
the county could help each other to get
many things that would be useful IN
their teaching. For instance she want
ed specimens of wood (cross sectiOns) of
every kind of tree in Wake county. and
specimens of the soil from various
parts, and certain farm products, and
other things. In return she could give
books, fOOt-rules, yard-Sticks, maps
Of North Carolina, pictures, &c, that the
| merchants of Raleigh give away for adj
yertisements. She would collect these.
and save them for the teachers in the
country. Miss Royster furthermore, be-
gam the exchange at the meeting by
giving every teacher present Il bundle of
foot rules from Messrs Jones and Pow
ell.
1t was resolved that every teacher
wishing to help the Exchange. make a
list of things he wants and list of the
things he can furnisb and submit them
at the next meeting.
A permanent committee on programme
was appointed; Supervisor Norris was
named by the President for chairman
of this committee. Mr. Norris selected
to serve with him Miss Royster, of Raj
eigh, and Miss Lily w. Jones, of Cary.
Two general subjects will be discussed
at the next meeting: Circulating Libra
ries and Home Geography. The pro
gramme committee will design special
subjects under these heads.
The next meeting will be held Satur-
day. April 2nd, at u O'clock, at the
Centennial Graded School, Raleigh.