The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-09-05

There has been much said about in
attention of the teachers at the instl-
tute. Like Mark Twain's statement
about the report of his death, 1t has
been greatly exaggerated. People who
come in from outside and the speakers
themselves declare that they never saw
as quiet an assembly.
The institute has been of unusual in
terest, and Dr. Phillips has been receiv-
ing congratulations on all sides for his
Judgment in the selection of instruc-
tors and the unusual quiet which pre-
walls in that freak of an auditorium.
The speakers platform has been
movable feast Yesterday it migrated
down from the stage, as 1t was thought
that the lecturers could be better heard.
One of the cleverest instructors who
has ever visited Scranton is Miss Con-
sidine, who has been giving talks on
the synthetic Phonc Word Method"
One of the best proofs OF her success
is that there has been a rush for her
book on this method and that it has
had an unprecedented sale among the
teachers, who are very enthusiastic
over this pretty and graceful young
woman. She gave her last talk yes
terday.
DR.. Croft talked on a very hard sub
ject the previous day, Rocks He con-
tinued yesterday morning with lesson
on "The Origin of Soils" which was
heard with interest.
CHILD STUDY.
Professor Monroe gave one of his fas-
cinating talks, this time on "Child
Study" If there is Il subject upon
which this versatile gentleman cannot
lecture inteligently it hath not yet ap
peared what it shall be. Apropos OF
"Child Study it might be mentioned
that he is still bachelor.
Mrs. Wilson gave IL Mature Study"
address. which was one of the best in
the course. Miss Connolly was most
interesting in a talk on Advanced
Arithmetic"
The afternoon session was opened
with music and Mrs. Wilson gave her
final talk, "'rhe Spirit of the Kinder
gartcn in the Primary School"
Professor Monroe gave an address on
lessons from European Schools"
which was heard with the closest at
tention. He spoke of the difficulty cX-
perenced in visiting foreign schools
where all sorts of obstacles are thrown
in the way. Indeed "A visit to public
school in Germany rises almost to the
dignity Of an international incident.
Once permission Is gained the visitor
Is shown every courtesy rather more
than in this country. The German
schools have perhaps been overpraised,
the French schools underValued.
TEACHERS IN GERMANY.
In Germany every teacher must be
normal graduate. That is where the
United States is deficient. The normal
schools here do not have as high a
standard of admittance as they should
A four years course in the High school
should be required and the normal
training should include one or two for
eign languages Compulsory education
in this country does not compel. 1t
does in Germany. the fines which the
parents must pay are so very severe
that the children are never sick, never
needed at home.
Miss Estele Loomis. our gifted young
townswoman, who is having such fiat
tering success in her dramatic career,
gave two recitations which were eX-
ceedingly we'll rendered She rected
kissing Cups Race" and as an en-
core, "The Old Front Gate" Her lith-
some figure and attractive face add to
the effect of her elOcutionary work.
Miss Connolly gave as her afternoon
subject, Busy Work in School," 1t
was an interesting and valuable talk.
She spoke of the bewildering problem
of classification which confronts the
teacher, and the difficulty of finding
occupation for the various types Of in
telligence in school.
After stating that copying is not al
ways successful busy work, she related
instance after instance illustrating the
matter and convulsed her auditors dur
ing the entire period. She warned
against too much work that over
whelms the child and causes him to
give it up entirely. She emphasized
the need of looking after the result and
not ignoring the work which the chill
dren have completed.