Arizona republican., 1903-12-25

Letter writing as an art should be
taught, and lastly the children should
write about what they have learned, |
what they have actually experienced. !
or what they imagine. This subject of
imagination, or Installation, is most
valuable for language exercises.
From a single descriptive sentence
children can be taught to build up
complete visual images. with sufficient
details TO make the image very vivid. |
Original plays, school magazines and
paraphrases. or other forms of compo-
sition work that should be produced
fer variety.
Supt. McDonnold then spoke on the
subject of correcting papers. He de-
rounCed the teacher that goes home at
dusk with an arm full of papers to be
corrected and come back red-eyed and
cross the next day as a result of the
midnight work.
He said that by dealing with only a
few of the common errors each month,
by spending only two-thirds of the
class time in writing the compost
lions, and the other third in oversee
ing the correction of the work by the
children, the teacher is freed from this
form of slavery.
MT. N-tDOlilOlu CnQcu UN recruitment
ing several books as useful for refer
ence on the teachers desk.
There was a lively general discus
sion for a few minutes, in which Mr..
Bowker asked for an opinion on dia-
grams. 1t was denounced by Mr.. Nc
Donpold, but supported by Mr. Will
liams, Mrs. Wilcox then objected thauif
the beautiful theories advanced in the
address We're followed the course of
study could not be adhered to. After
a little more general discussion on the
subject of the course of study, the dis
cussion was closed.
Pres. Matthews then made an an
nouncement regarding the meeting of
the next National Educational associa-
ton at St. Louis. concerning which he
hopes to interest the teachers of the
TERRITORIAL association next week.
After few minutes recess. Prof.
Irish of the Normal school took the
floor with one of the best papers of
the institute on the subject Of elemen-
tary science. The subject being so
broad. he confined himself to one de-
partment: that of physical geography.
and to the consideration of field trips
in connection with it's study.
He said that physical geography is
not merely a high school study, but
can be taught in an elementary form
in even the lower grades. thus provid-
ing the child's mind with a general
knowledge OF the subject on which
the more scientific work of the high
school can be based later. The con-
cepts given. however. should be cor
rect as far as they 60. SO that they
do not have to be un-learned later.
The concepts should be clear in the
child's mind. Too often the teacher
takes this for granted.
The subjects to be presented in ma
ture work need not be something
strange and unfamiliar, but the most
! common subjects afford material for
/ the most interesting lessons If right
/ " presented. Too often children go
through school with only an
/ emphesl CT textbook knowledge
! of the most familiar objects and condi-
/ tons around them. If the course is
made scientific instead of a mere mem
z Dry exercise, this will not be the case
Many teachers object to field work in
/ early geography on the grounds of lack
/ Of time, lack OF funds, lack of mater
ial or lack of inclination. All but the
latter objection may be overcome
Field work is done much less in the
United States than in Europe, where it
is no uncommon occurrence for a
teacher and class to take trips OF a
] day or two or even a week.
In no place, however are there bet
ter subjects for nature study than in
Arizona. for On account of the dry eli
mate here there is little vegetation and
soil to cover the geological formation.
Mr.. Irish then gave specific and prac-
teal direction as to the planning and
conducting of geography expeditions.
He then gave a comprehensive outline
! of suggestions Of topics for study on
nature trips, outlining the work to
/ be done in as many as fifteen differ
: ent excursions. The subjects ranged all
the way from the study of riVulets in
. the school yard to a days drive to the
chief points Of interest in the Salt
River Valley. 1t was so well adapted
to the conditions of the valley, and
/ well planned with reference to the pos
sibilities of the country school teacher
/ that II was copied by many of the
teachers, and will doubtless inspire
many to attempt this sort of work in
the schools of MaTicopa county.
Mr.. Irish closed by placing on the
board a list OF reference works in
: valuable to the teacher in conducting
nature work.
At few minutes after twelve the
institute was resolved into a business
session.
a vote of thanks was rendered Dr.
Blome and Principal Cole for the ad-
mirable way in which they had con-
, Quoted the session under their charge.
The report of the committee on res
buttons was called for, and the chair
man. Prof. Scudder, read the resolu-
lions and 4 recommendation as fol-
lows:
Dec a. 1903.