Sistersville oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1896-1901, 1898-08-03

MS aCCOIupdHlSt, MIS- VI Gill A4aS
kell, entertained the audience with
another equally fine selection. He
and his friend, who is an elocutiou-
ist, will endeavor to give the people
OF Sistersville an entertainment in
the near future, by request of a
great many people OF the town. A
social, which was enjoyed by every
one, completed the program.
TUESDAY MORNING.
The opening exercises consisted
of singing, repeating the Lcrd's
prayer and roll call.
Prof. crago discussed metho's
OF teaching spelling. He favors
teaching the sound of the letter be-
fore the letter, or proper arrange
ment of the letters in the word;
vet, as results are what count, the
method does not make so much
difference after all.
The really proper way to teach
spelling is by writing the word and
associating it with the object.
However, oral spelling has its place
and the old fashioned spelling
school, not yet out of date, made
some excellent spoilers.
There are two great mistakes
teachers make, they take for
granted that the child knows every
thing or SO much that he is tired
of the school room love, or he does
not know nearly so much as he
really does know. It is we'll for us
all to study to learn thing so we'll
that we know we know it.
An experience meeting among
the teachers as to methods and re-
suits of the various ways of teach
ing this branch, the corner stone
of the educational structure, fol-
lowed Messrs Van Camp, Grimes,
Darnall and Stathers, each advanc-
ing good ideas and beneficial helps
to reach desired results in this
branch.
Miss Ina Barnes spoke of the
prevalence of written work in the
schools of today and the benefits
derived from this method. Among
the many good results mentioned
from written language work were
neatness in writing, correctness,
spelling, etc., and of facts already
learned. All pupils can be trained
to observe closely and to express in
good English their observations.
Prof. Holden continued the sub
ject by saying that it is hardly
worth while to know thing unless
we can tell it. He believes In
tensely in the picture for the young
reader, that he may know what 1t
all means. It is the soul of Ian
guage and appeals to the emotional,
which is the best part of human
nature. 1t is more tender than
philosophy, more interesting than
logic and makes an impression that
a lifetime of care and hardship can
not efface.
Prof. ". R. Martin opened the
next topic, School Law. and after
clear definition of law he dwelt par
ticularly upon the compulsory at
tendance, etc., making a helpful,
scholarly address. Prof Crago
continued the subject and some of
the teachers asked questions on this
subject of special interest to the
people OF West Virginia.
Prof. Holden changed the theme
and talked interestingly on the sub
iect of health. The harmful and
deteriorating effects of cigarette
smoking were explained, and teach
ers were instructed to wage war
against this habit, so alarmingly on
the increase.
Adjournment.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
Mr.. Darnall lead the institute in
singing America" and Prof. Ru-
fus Holden, of Kingwood, gave a
history of the origin and growth of
our native language: Ist, the An.
CLOS: I'd, Saxons; sd, Jutes; 4th,
Normans; 5th, Celts.
The instructor made this import
ant, and usually neglected subjects
very interesting to the teachers,
showing what study and research
he had himself bestowed upon the
English language, and suggested
hat we inform ourselves as to the
evolution Of English as it is
spoken ND to this day and age.
IL