The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-17
ANACONDA news.
YORK OF THE TEACHERS
READING AND LITERATURE
Thoughtful Discussions OF the Problems
That Confront the Emcient Teacher.
Col. O'Leary Urges q Thorough
Study of Geography.

The teachers institute convened at
the regular hour yesterday morning at
the High School building.
The first number on the programme
was Reading" by Mr.. Carleton. He
urged all teachers to bear in mind that
they were striving to ft their children
for the highest civilization the world
had ever seen. He spoke Of the COM
petition existing in all kinds Of labor
and said that 1t would be the most skill
ed workmen who would succeed. Mr..
Carleton then spoke OF a class he had
visited while they were reading THE
Deacon's One Horse Shay" The ex-
preston and e~nunciation were perfect,
but when he questioned the children in
regard to the historical references I'm
the poem. they knew absolutely moth
ing about 1t. This class had read by
initiation, without understanding what
they were reading about. Teachers
should present a reading lesson in such
a manner that when the lesson consists
of Longfellow's "Children's Hour the
children could see the scenes descrfb-
ed. Reading Is the understanding of
So - ~ tAt PoSts
should be taught to read silently. They
should read the best literature. Give
them the classics. 1t is not necessary
to read every selection in the reader.
The eyes of the civilized world are new
upon Paris. Give the children a read
ing lesson on France.
At the close of Mr.. Cartoons talk, a
few minutes were devoted to physical
exercises.
Mr.. Klock then took up the subject
of numbers. AS soon as the child is
able to read a problem, he should nave
a book that he may be trained in its
use. Begin constructive work early.
Keep up the relation thought. Children
should not have formula work until
they reach the seventh grade.
Then followed an interesting talk on
percentage. In percentage children
should be taught the relation of the
terms. In arithmetic We deal with two
terms to find a third. The only object
OF arithmetic is to teach children to
reason. stepped to the board
n Mr.. Klock gave some interesting
exercises in percentage.
A short recess of three minutes was
taken, after which Mr.. Reid continued
his work on child study. He said he
would IKE to emphasize the necessity
of teachers studying the child's mini.
They are sometimes requiring more OF
the child than they ought to. The en-
yironment of the child has much to do
with the training Of the child's mind.
Kindergarten training. IL conducted On
right principles. is of great advantage.
Children in cities cannot have good
sense development. AS teaching grows
natural. we see that city life is unnatu
raj. There is nothing more certain than
that when we transgress mental laws,
nature demands a penalty. One o
ment that is going on in cities-the
fresh air movements excellent. In
New York. in the most thickly settled
part. n can imagine the effect on chill
dren. Philanthropic people LAY taken
children into the country for a week
and they show ntens delight in pluck
ing flowers and chasing butterflies.
Apart from physical help, sensory
nerves are developed. When a child
sees a bird, Its first impulse Is to catch
II. and SO motor nerves are developed.
How shall the teacher develop these
ensory nerve traps? Go out and visit
nature with children. 1t is the best
place for nature study. Teachers in the
country have excellent opportunities
to get themselves and the children in
harmony with nature. In the East,
where the more beautiful side of nature
Is presented, where the grand ocean can
be seen, teachers have better opportuni-
ties. Develop in the child a love of ma
ture. A study of motor action shows
that education consists largely In do
ing.
There is nothing in trying to teach
virtue by precepts. aphorisms and NOR
ais. 1t is practice that makes virtue
II you fail to develop virtue as a habit
In the child during these plastic years
o are no teacher. Teach children a
love for reading. AS you inspire the
child with love of nature, inspire him
with o V of literature. Literature
mangled, as found in text books, will
not make the child love IL. The greatest
safeguard a child can have as II grows
Ia, maturity is the love OF good litera.
ture. Mangle good literature by
etymology and criticism and children
will care nothing for IL.
Children who cannot read aloud havs
not had their motor forces developed
Have children read aloud, in audible
tones, so you may educate vocal organ.
and that they may res intelligently Il
Others Make the child as complete a.
possible.
II hope teachers will go away and
carry out these ideas. IL means NOR,
thai any of you think Your work is 4
develop both motor and sensoryfacultiei
as fully as possible. We are slaves 4
habit. During the initiative period q
when habits are formed. IL you do no
help form good habits they will form
bad ones. Dreamers are utterly useless
Lift children out of dreams by develop
Ing motto faculties. Dreamers becom
useless citizens. When you give a chill,
reality images o make his life full