West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1900-08-16
Icontinued from last week.
TEACHERS INSTITUTE
Begins at the County Seat with Good
Auspices and Favorable Weather
Reported by o. =. Morton.

aiACi
which the roll was called.
Prof. Little then gave a talk ON
the subject of drawing and expires.
sion, illustrating his remarks by
drawing several familiar animals.
Superintendent Trotter was called
on for a talk, but in lieu of the
same he called for the singing OF
"West Virginia Hills" and the
"Hurrah Song"
Prof. Laidley now gave a talk ON
reading and pointed out that the
pupil may read and define we'll and
yet fail to grasp the thought OF
what he reads. He maintained that
thought is the test of reading. The
Professor also gave some useful ad-
vice on The question of committing
pieces to memory.
Recess was followed by "Ameri.
ca" and superintendent Trotter
now gave his talk, taking for his
text an article from Ebert Hubbard.
editor of the Philistine. He gave
MS hearers some encouraging advice
and although regretting that the
teachers of the State are meaperly
paid, he held that while they do
teach they should give the State
their time and energy. Otherwise,
1T will be slow matter to secure in
creased compensation.
Mr.. Trotter said that out of the
o'Soo teachers in West Virginia,
only one gets more than $4,000 a
year, and only twelve others ge,
more than $1,000 a year. The av-
erage monthly wage of the teacher
is S29.Io, the average length OF
term S months and I3 days, and the
average yearly salary SI6s.
Mr.. Shawkey followed with a talk
on comparisons and urged the i'm
portance of seeing that few facts
and dates are well learned. Other
facts relating to these very things
Will then be carried in the memory
through the power of association.
FOR instance, around the fact of the
existence of the Brooklyn bridge
will be grouped certain other facts
concerning the location and size OF
the bridge.
The Chairman of the Committee
on Program announced the order OF
exercises for the night session and
the Institute adjourned till Wednes-
day morning. The report of the
night session was given last week.
WEDNESDAY MORNING SESSION.
The session began at o:3o with
the singing of Coronation. Rev.
Ross Ward then conducted a devo.
tional exercise. "America" was
next sung and Prof. Laidley took
up the topic of "Busy Work" He
called attention to the circumstance
that perhaps a third of the members
had not even terms experience
and were learning mainly by prsc-
tice. He spoke of the work neces-
sary to cause a pupil to form a men
tai picture of something unknown
to him. The Professor also explain.
ed "sliced stories"
Mr.. Shawkey now mounted q
chair and called for the singing of a
song without the organ. He thought
the Institute too quiet.
Prof. Little next gave another OF
his chalk talks and spoke of the
great advantages which come to the
teacher by being able to illustrate a
subject by drawing. In some cities
this is required of the primary
teacher. lie deplored the prone
ness of people to ridicule the first
attempts of a person to draw.
"Hurrah" was now sung and Mr..
Shawkey gave a talk on the chemis
try of every day life, illustrated by
experiments. Much teaching is nov
done by experiments and quite with
out books. He spoke for variety in
teaching so that the teacher may
keep out Of ruts.
Roll was called. Two ladies were
enrolled during the morning session.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Twilight is Falling" was sung.
followed by roll call and then by
Battle Hymn of the Republic.
Prof Laidley spoke on ethics
among teachers and also ON thefi
scholarship. He asked whether the
conscientious teacher could rush out
Of the Institute room immediately
after roll call or could get friend
to answer for him. The teacher
stands next to the parent in the
opinion Of the pupil.
"Help Il On" was sung and Prof.
Holden took the floor to speak on
"Nature Study" lie put in a plea
for the softening influences Of this