The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-02-14
HOW TO TEACH
Close Study Of Methods by Hilo
Instructors.
PLAY ACTING As A FEATURE
II Is illustrated = Importance Of
Drawing = Primary Numbers.
Soils OF Hawaii.

An interesting, instructive and large
ly attended session of the Hilo Teach
ers' Union was held in the Union school
at a. m. on Friday. 3rd February.
Mr.. W. Ray, president, occupied the
chair. The opening exercises consist
ed of prayer by Rev. J. A. Cruzan and
a chorus by the junior pupils of the
Hilo Select school.
The minutes of the December meet
ing were read and approved. May 18th
Is the date fixed for next meeting. The
program will be arranged by Mrs
Smith, Miss Deyo and Mrs. Deacon.
Miss Deyo conveyed request from
Mr.. Abbot, of Lahainaluna, for Hawaii
an legends for publication in Hawali's
Young People.
A talk on drawing was given by Miss
Hart. the instructor in that subject in
the Hilo Select school. She had on ex-
hibition quite large display of char
coal work from all the grades. These
Miss Hart criticized.
Drawing throughout the grades
junior pupils, more finish being re-
Quired as advance is made. All her
work is entirely from nature. The ma
terials required are ordinary yellow
drawing paper and charcoal. Where
possible adapt work in nature draw
ing, to the seasons. Make drawings
tell the truth and with as few lines as
possible. Attention should be given to
the position on the paper. Shadow
may be had by dropping curtains on
all sides of the room but one. Guard
against making lines too heavy. Have
pupils produce their ideas of historic
and literary scenes. Quick execution
insures greater satisfaction. Old
things look best in drawings. Copies
Of work from great artists should DE
hung in the room.
Mrs. Kelsey illustrated her method
o. teaching primary numbers. Objects
should be manipulated coincidently
with the first operations and should
not be discarded until multiplication
and division are thoroughly under
stood.
The work along the line of agricul-
ture at the Hilo Boarding School was
explained by Mr.. l.. G. Lyman. For
books Of reference he recommends Pro-
fessor Maxwell's Lava Soils Of Hawaii,
Winsl0w's Principles of Agriculture
How Crops Grow. and How Crops Feed
A knowledge of elementary chemistry
is necessary. Valuable information is
gained by experimentation in the field
by portioning off plots for different
plants and fertilizers. At present he
is experimenting on leguminous plants
as fertilizers for supplying nitrogen.
Such plants absorb nitrogen from the
air and give It TO the soil when turned
under, in which state II Is available for
other plants requiring nitrogen. He
also gave results of experiments on the
termination of seeds under different
conditions of temperature, moisture
and light
Miss Nellie Wise re?ited Heaven Is
Not Reached by a Single Bound"
The teaching of Hawaiian geOgraph y
was talked about by Miss Lyman. She
explained her method OF introducing a
class to the study of Maui after having
fair knowledge of their own Island.
Read from the map the markings. The
meaning of these has already been
learned from the map of Hawaii. Fad
out from pupils all the Information
they already possess about the different
places. Give historic facts and legends
connected with these. Those who have
made trip On the Kinau can give its
location relatively to the other islands.
Miss DeyO read a paper on school
devices designed to bring out the dra-
matte element in the child's nature.
She asked the teachers to recall how
they, when children personated grown
up folk, and how real the play was.
That which appeals strongest to nis
Imagination Is the thing the child will
act most naturally. hence in the kind
ergarten motion songs about birds, an
imals, the trades, ringing OF bells, etc.
Such secures interest in the subject
and expression through their bodies
although their tongues may have little
command of English. Any device
which brings the image more vividly
before the mind Is helpful to the child
first and secondly to the teacher as 1t
enables him to get at the child's con-
ception. In history dry facts often dis
gust the child, but II he can put him
self In the place of" an individual a
permanent friendship will at once be
established. Teachers should not be
after show work to entertain, but what
the child sees and feels with his mental
faculties. a single feather stuck In his
cap and an imaginary bow and arrow
in his hand may fill a small bows
mind with visions OF Indians and viii
for the moment make him one. Older
pupils can make up conversations In
history or literature. Results mus
not be measured by spectacular effec
but by the light OF interest shown II
the eye and attitude OF the pupil,
As illustration OF the work Mis-
Deyo had number OF pupils act:
Cd The Story of the Three Bears
by first year children.
90 Robinson Crusoe Shooting Goat
by second year children.
(3) The Monkey and the Cat b!
fourth year children.
90 VIM Penn and his Friends Tear
ing on the Gown OF a Student, by six 4
year children,
Mr. &. Smith concluded the day
work with "A talk ON waas har nhaarv