The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1899-08-10

Held in San Juan County.
The fifth annual session of the San
Juan County Teachers Institute was
held at the school building, in Friday
Harbor, July 81 and August l, 2, 3 and
4. The session was opened Monday al
80 p. m, with prayer by Rev. J. w
White. After the regular routine of
organization, a paper on Reading" was
read by Miss Flora Guard, followed by
discussion led by Miss Addie Digit.
man. The feature of the evening was
mastery lecture by Prof. J. w.
Hughes, superintendent of the Fair
haven schools. His subject was, "The
Law Of Habit" He handled his SUBJ
ject in a mastery way and held his
audience spell bound until he closed.
He developed the fact that our lives
are governed largely by our early train
ing and the habits formed in our youth.
"rhe knowledge of when 10 speak
and when to he SILENT" said he, lis a
great lesson and one that but few have
learned" 1t is to be regretted that
his audience was not larger, as he had
a message for every parent as well as
teacher
Tuesday morning the institute settled
down to regular work. Prof. Hughes
began the subject of arithmetic, OutlIn-
ing the first three topics, Language of
Arithmetic" combinations of Num-
beers" and Resolution of Numbers"
After a short recess, during which q
number of new members were enrolled
Mrs. C.. w. Hammond read All excel
lent, instructive paper Oh Geography"
Prof. E. E. White then took up the
subject "School Management" He
spoke ina practical way and chiefly Of
the first day of school, how to over
come the difficulties and how to grasp
the opportunities of the day. In the
Prof White opened the SUBJ
ject "United States History" He de-
fined history rs a record of events, to-
gether with their causes and the lessons
taught. 1t not only develops the menu
Dry, but develops every faculty of the
mind. 1t is the business Of the school
to prepare the pupil for citi-
and history should be so
taught that the pupil shall understand
his relation to his fellowmen and their
relation to government. After few
minutes intermissiOn Prof. Hughes in-
troduced the subject Psychology" inn
securing the attention of all.
He handled his subject in clear, di-
rect way, making what usually seems
dly alive with interest. After defining
psychology and discussing the methods
of studying the mind, he passed to the
head of general intellectual powers and
dwelt upon the first of these, or "cOn-
seriousness" The next subject, "Pen-
manship, Twas discussed by the teachers
generally, led by G. n s. Tucker. In
the evening Rev. Mr.. Joslyn, presiding
elder in the NJ. E. church, delivered u
short address to the teachers, chiefly
setting forth the advantage of denomi-
national schools and in particular plead
ing for the support OF the Methodist
institution at Tacoma.
Wednesday morning Prot. Hughes
continued his talks on arithmetic, tax
ing up the topic of Properties of Num-
bers." His treatment of the subject
was a practical illustration Of the h,-
ductive method Of teaching and full of
useful hints to the teacher. Miss Ada
J. Mahon read a very interesting and
we'll prepared paper on "Gramnli,r,"
which was followed by lively discus
sion. Then Miss Eva Afford opened a
discussion of "School Etiquette"
Prof. White continued his subject of
"School Management" In the after
noon Prof. White resumed his talk on
LIMITED States History" dealing with
the evolution of federal government
and showed that the pupil should be
brought to believe himself a part of the
government. "Psychology'' was con-
tinued by Prof. Hughes, the whole
period being devoted to attention"
the second of the general intellectual
powers. Miss Kate Buckley read an
interesting paper Oh "OrthOgraphy,"
and Mr.. Benz. Harrison opened dis.
of "Physiology," which closed the the
afternoon session. The evening brought
a treat, Prof. Whites lecture OH Omitted
States History and the Training of the
.erested in his subject and makes his
hearers feel the grandeur of American
citizenship, and shows the teacher
magnificent opportunities and grave
responsibilities in the teaching of his
tory. It was q lecture to be remem-
bered.
Thursday morning the topic OF Re
drction'' was taken up under Prof.
Hughes. He drew from the teachers
some excellent working definitions and
showed the reason for inverting the
terms of tire divisor in division of frac-
tons. a short recess was followed by
a brief discussion of "Reading Circle
Work. led by Miss jessie Spencer, and
Prof. White took up the topic OF
"Written Work" under the general
head of "Scllool Management" which
completed the morning work. Thurs.
day afternoon Prof. Hughes finished
his outlined work In Psychology.
Throughout his series of talks the in
structor has aroused deep interest, and
note books were used constantly. Every
teacher must have gone away better
prepared for an understanding study OF
psychology. Prof. White concluded
his course in history by discussion Of
predominant thoughts running through
the history of the United States, trac
ing that thought which originated III
1919 ard eliminated in the civil war.
After the adjournment of the days
session the Institute went, armed with
lunch baskets, to visit the historic
house which was occupied by Genera
Pickett when in command OF the
American forces on San Juan island
Judge Warbass, the present owner
gave q hearty welcome, aud several
hours were very pleasantly passed al
this place.
Friday morning Prof. Hughes gave
Al ol.1u
in regard to practical arithmetic, bring
ing out the child's difficulty and show
ing the. necessity for logic treatment
clearness aud patience Miss Louise
Culver led a discussion 0f 'MeTcy
Teaching and Prot. White presented
the subject of mature Study" TN!