Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-04-19

Mrs. Hanna read an excellent paper
on vocal music
\ recess was then declared until two
O'Clock this afternoon.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
The Institute was called to order by
Snpt. Stephens. Roll was called by the
| secretary
Prof. Hanna then addressed the In.
stltute on the subject of Spelling" He
SAID that the teachers of this and other
states are accused of turning out poor
spoilers; also poor accountants II is
said the pupils can neither spell nor add
A crazy man III Carroll County has
made another accusation-that our
schools are turning out anarchists; but
all know this last is false charge.
Ii must be the methods are wrong. In
olden times the dictionary was the spell
ing book; children must learn il page
by page and give the definitions
The words were divided and spelled
syllable by syllable. That kind of spell.
ing Is still wanted in places. but is en-
tirely discarded by all good schools
There Is no such thing as oral spelling
There is no need of oral spelling, ever.
Always teach spelling by written signs,
train the eve and mind for they are the
organs concerned III spelling. Never
allow the child to see incorrect forms of
spelling. Never give him a list of
words to look for their meaning in the
dictionary. A spelling book is unneces-
sary III the school-room, except perhaps
as reference book, never otherwise.
Give the child Il few words not many.
Few words in the Grammar or High
School grades are sufficient. Let him
learn to spell them; then go to the die.
tionary and find how the words are di-
vided and learn all the diacritical words
the only use he ever has for diction
airy. Then let him learn the SYNONYMS.
the antonyms, the cognates and roots,
and learn to- use the words in sentences
Dwell much on pronunciation, this is
oral spelling of the right kind. 1t is
necessary TO continually guard the child
rem against using incorrect pronuncia-
ton, slang and provincialisms Still
with the greatest care children will pick
up such barbarisms by associations. 1t
is the teachers business to guard against
all these much as possible.
Prof. Stephens then announced that
even a more important subject than
spelling would now be presented, that
of Reading" by Miss NJ Louise Ed
wards of the State Normal School. Miss
! Edwards first invited questions upon
her presentation of her subject after she
should have finished. She would pre-
sent the expressional side rather than
the CONSTITUTIONAL The greatest lack
of deficiency among teachers is found
along this line. Expression is the sign
of the condition of the being Impress
sion has stronger force than express
sion. Expression is natures assertion.
Not only must the mind be stored with
power but the springs must be set at
liberty for the outpouring. The Ideal
is not always the impractical aud Wis
ionary. High ideals are necessary and
right.
Literature is the notation of thought
and feeling. The strength of literature
is its union with life Back of the word
is the ideal, back of the ideal is life.
Children should not be given so-called
elocution work. even on public occasions,
of the kind that they are incapable of
correctly interpreting for themselves.
1t is not right to train the child to imi-
tate expressions he cannot properly
evolve for himself Better have the
child natural and true to himself
The audience joined in singing
There Is husic i'll the Air
Prof Stephens announced that it is
understood that each county examiner
shall attend at least two Institutes each
year other than is own. In that way
Rev. DIR. Simpson, Examiner of Carroll
County is present to-day. He then in-
troduced DIR. Simpson who addressed
After announcements, the Institute
was adjourned.
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
At o'clock the Institute was called
to order by Superintendent Stephens,
and then the Institute was turned over
to Prof. Hanna, who gave, with the
help of five teachers as pupils, his model
opening exercises.
After these had been given Prof
Hanna gave "A talk in which he urged
the trial of his plan. He advised espec-
tally the training of boys and girls to
extemporaneous speaking.
Prof. Stephens then took up the sub
ject of The Recitation" in which he
brought in Round Table" talk by
several teachers He talked of the best
methods of conducting recitation. 1t
is important 10 make the pupils realize
the Importance of each recitation and
branch
The recitation should consist OF three
parts. The first part, or beginning.
should be a connecting link with the
previous lesson. The middle part should
be the lesson proper and should be care
fully prepared before hand. The last
part or end should reduce to practical
use the subject taught and should bring
out the pupils power
There should be no guessing ut an
swers or results, which is really dishon.
est and hurtful. Too much help given
by the teacher makes INDECENT pupils.
The pupil must be trained to work for
himself. Each pupil should be brought
to give active attention at all times. This
can be done by the proper presentation
of subjects by the teacher.
The following Round Table was
presented
1.-The teachers preparation, Mr.
Hill
1.-The presentation of the subject"
Miss Stephens.
ITO what extent should the class be
entertained Mrs. Whaley
THE object of recapitulation, Mrs.
Pusey.
1.-The art of questioning, Miss Jones.
Why" Miss Elma Bratten.
After some further remarks by Prof.
Stephens short recess was taken.
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