Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-08-16

should be paid TO this work.
Supt. OF Public Instruction Delos
Fall made the institute very pleas
ant and profitable visit, Monday after
noon and Tuesday forenoon. He
spoke Of the two great factors in edu
cation that are 10 be worked out In
the next few years more than any
others Nature study and manual
training. He believes in the training
OF the boy 10 do the work with his
hands rather than teach the barren
fact. Teach the boy TO see foot rule,
yard, rod, but do not teach him 70
learn the table of linear measure to
rattle il off with swiftnesS and accur-
acy, but teach him TO know what he
means by what he says. To teach him
the tables is crime Teach him TO
read and reproduce what he learns.
Many more good illustrations were
given but space will not permit fur
ther discussion. Nature study, don't
/ neglect it but teach the child to see,
actually to behold in his vision the
true beauty of the flower, Of the ami
NAL that runs, OF the frog that jumps
DO pot teach him to pull the beau
tiful plants in pieces but teach him
to behold the splendor Of nature ia
this small token Of Gods great love.
Take the animal, let him see the var
ious ways that various animals have
of moving from place 10 place. 1t is
not necessary 10 take them 10 the
school room but take the class to
the field that they may see them in
their natural spheres. You can't
teach nature study in the school room
alone. Get out with nature. School
rooms contain but very little that is
natural, for, in fact, man is more or
less artificial.
The work is being carried out fully
in all lines. Supt. Bennett has read
ing and physiology while Prof. Mitch
ell has civil government and general
history in addition 10 English. His
work i'm this is very elevating. He
takes authors and compares their var
ious methods, styles and works TO show
what a wide difference there is in the
noted writers. He takes the forms Of
composition and describes the parts so
fully and completely that the work
will bear wonderful results, and the
way this work is received is surely as
tonishing as it differs so widely from
what has been given heretofore that
it cannot fail to interest the anxious
enquirer.
The inspiration and interest in the
institute work OF the past week seems
TO have been as great as that Of last
week The teachers seem TO realize
the exceptional advantages offered,
aud are improving every recitation
possible, besides doing many hours OF
home study No one seems TO lack
for work and the work seems TO be so
practical that it suits all.
Professor Mitchells periods in
history are growing in interest,
being filed with the related events
fully explained in their influence on
the advancement Of the American
people, and the advancement OF civil
ization. His clear and impartial eX-
PLANTATION OF the slavery question was
Of more than usual interest, in that
he treated the question from authors
OF both Northern and Southern re-
pute. Altogether this has been
wonderful advantage 10 the enterpris-
ing teacher, because IT opened new
theories to them and advanced more
liberal spirit 10 be generous u our
Southern brethren and deal VITA them
as conti1ing friend.
Prof. Mitchell's work in Civil Gov.
erment has been keenly and wisely
conducted. He has taken the various
forms OF government and shown clearly
the relation Of our own with each, and
besides has given ours the most care
lul COuSlucIdllOu III IL Cudl dClSl lSIlS
details. Not only has he shown the
teachers the government in operation,
but has brought forward the interest
ing facts that aided or Influenced the
organization and establishment OF
republic, and the things that have
been foremost in connection with our
political machinery.
Miss WaKelees excellent work in
kindergarten has been followed with
a surprising interest, which speaks a
great deal for the mastery way in
which she handles her work, and es-
tablishing the fact in the minds Of
her class that she is excelled by few
il any, ia her line OF worK. The in
fluence OF her work will be felt the
coming year in the schools OF those
who have taken her work, and only
lends a greater enchantment TO the
kindergarten ideas as advanced by
professional work and training Her
ole ~ trarnaS "A aya i.ont, .