Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1899-11-10
GratiOt County Teachers in COnven-
tiOn.
The Teachers Of Gratot County Again Ex
change Ideas.


change Ideas.
The sixty. first semi annual meeting of
the Gratiot County Teachers Associa-
ton was held in the college chapel Fri
day and Saturday, Nov 3 and 4.
The meeting was called to order at
80, Friday, by Supt. A. p. Cook Of
Ithaca, president of the association. Not
withstanding the inclemency of the
weather, the chapel was nearly filed
with earnest, energetic, and progressive
teachers, who had met for mutual help,
and to gain ideas and inspiration to take
back TO their several realms of useful
ness. Judging from the spirit of the
meeting, one is convinced that the
teaching force of Gratiot county, espe-
cially of the rural schools is increasing,
if not in numbers, certainly in intelli-
gence, earnestness of purpose, and abili-
ty TO instruct.
The exercises began by the singing of
our national hymn. Principal g. E.
kellogg of Elm Hall read "a paper, How
| teach U. S. History" in which he
showed his method of interesting and in
structing pupils of the seventh and
eighth grades in u. S. History. This
paper showed scholarship in preparation
and was we'll delivered. The subject
was discussed by several teachers the
discussion closing with a talk by Mr..
Mitchell, professor of history in Alma
college, in which he said that no history
is complete that stops with the present,
that it should teach their relation to the
future, that they should realize their
duty in keeping their country, and Civ
ing it to future generations in better
conditions than it was given to them by
our forefathers
Supt. +. A. Coddington then followed
with paper, "The Preparation of the
Teacher" in which he emphasized the
necessity of the thorough preparation of
the teacher for his work, so that he
shall not make his pupils the sorry SUBJ
jects of experiments.
The subject of "School Libraries"
was presented by A. J. Vance of Pompei
He showed the necessity of the CO.
operation Of the teacher with the school
board in most cases to secure suitable
libraries. From the testimony of the
teachers who took part in the discussion,
it is evident that weak point in the
school system of this county is the fail
ure Of most of the schools to provide for
the development of literary taste
among the pupils, and their acquaint.
ance with the best literature.
The subject of Examination" was
treated by Miss Anna Winn of Ashley
She advised topical examinations,
rather than monthly examinations.
The Friday evening session opened at
s o'clock with a piano solo by Miss
Sharp, after which President Cock in.
troduced Supt e O. Thompson of Sag
inaw who spoke on "Brains and Bread. Z"
Prof. Thompson held the undivided at
tention of the audience, while in the
most beautiful language he showed the
wonderful power Of achievement Of the
the human brain, and the relation of
education, the training of the brain to
success in life.
The program of Saturday was carried
out in an excellent manner. Papers
were presented as follows 1.-THE Edu-
cational Dollar" by Supt. y. II. Covell
of st. Louis" intermediate Geography, !"
by Mrs G.. +. Pike Of Breckenridge
1.-THE Truant Law" by Joe Hoxie of
Middleton; "How 10 Give our Pupils q
Liking for Good Literature" by Miss
| Bernice Smith of st. Louis "The First
Day of School," by Miss Maggie Boyd
of Ithaca; "Intermediate Language, -
by Miss Retta Peet of Ithaca. Prof.
King principal of the commercial de-
| partment of Alma College gave an
| illustrated talk OH "Penmanship.
After most successful meeting the
association adjourned at 3 o'clock and
went to the college campus to witness
the football game between Alma and
Kalamazoo, where they gained athletic
inspiration to carry back to their sever.
al schools.