Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-08-07
NOTES FROM
INSTITUTE
Reporter Correspondent Gives
Interesting Resume OF the
Weeks OccuranceS.
AIMS OF WORK DONE
In SEVERAL BRANCHES
All Are Inspired by Enthusiasm
Shown by the Institute
Conductors.

what do you do at Institute any
way? Is it just three weeks school?''
Well, an Institute has some re-
Semblance to regular school, but it
lacks some features, substituting
others. The regular school is supposed
to present new work, give sufficient
drill for the work to be thoroughly
ingrained. Institute work is rather a
review of work previously done, for
re-impressing of principle and has in
addition constant reference to the
scholar today being the teacher
tomorrow. One Of the fundamental
ideas Of the Institute is the teaching
OF teachers how to teach. In the
Institute as a whole the different
classes are doing the work as here
outlined.
The class in library work after
Studing library law, and general sug-
gestionS to librarians are reporting on
books read this term. Excellent book
reports are given every day and
listened to with interest by the class.
The librarian of the city library has
kindly consented to explain to the
class the practical working of a card
catalogue.
In arithmetic, methods of teaching
the four fundamental operations have
been thoroughly considered. The aims
in teaching arithmetic, (a) to give skill
in work and (b) to train the mental
faculties have been illustrated. In
abstract work, drill has been en-
phaSiZed.
The algebra students are now
struggling with radicals after spend
ing several days with factoring. Th is
IS review class, and radicals and
quadratics will be presented and
drilled upon.
The aim of the work in grammar has
been to give teachers a review of the
most difficult parts of the subject, at
the same time exemplifying methods
of teaching grammar in the district
schools. Thus far the time has been
devoted to the study of nouns and
pronounS.
United States history, the aim has
been to point out the principal diff
ficulties which arise in teaching
history and to discuss methods of
overcoming them. In connection
| with this the class has made critical
study of the period of the Revolution
airy war.
The purpose of constitutions has been
| to present to the class as many vital
facts as possible, and also to awaken
greater interest in the study. The
| fact that this branch has been but
little taught in the county renders it
necessary to do much work of an
academic nature.
| The class in agriculture have dis
cusSed plant, soil and relation of plant
to air and soil. The chemical proper
ties of air and soil have been con
sidered. Some single experiments
have been performed.
The classes in reading discussed
thoroughly the meaning, aims, pur
poses and methods of teaching reading
Illustrative lessons in methods O.
teaching have been given.
The Importance of phonicS as sell
help in learning to read has beer
strongly emphasized. The class art
now putting in practice the idea.
discussed by reading selections il
class. Kipling's "Recessionar' ant
Alcott's ga Genuine Little Lady
have been read.
In geography, the world as a worlt
was considered by means Of stories o
children OF other lands. The home
of some Of these children were con
structed. Home geography wa
studied in connection with tn,
photography Of surrounding country
Introduction to.use of map was mad
by drawing plan of school room
The idea of scale and direction OF
map were developed. From room t.
grounds, town. county, state was tn
, logical sequence. Mathematical gee
J graphy is the topic now under consid
) Grafton. How and what have entere
: largely into the discussions.
II Supt. and Mrs. Youker entertaine
, the institute conductors ThurSda
= evening.
( The following visitors were notice
at the institute this week: OFT
Wipperman, Mildred Dawes, Harrie
! Long, of Pittsyille. Louise Brown
: Martha Burns, Supt. and Mrs Youke
' and Henry Forbes, of Nekoosa.
Photographer O. Mcneil took