Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1903-11-05
Teachers Institute Proceedings.

The Thirty-seventh annual Cameron County,
Institute was called to order promptly at 1870 by
county Superintendent Miss Collins. After the
devotional exercises conducted by Rev Metzler,
the roll was called to which every teacher of the
County responded. Prof McGinnis gave as the
first talk of the Institute, Children's Rights
There is diamond of immortality in every chilo
is srhaps the most characteristic remark of the
talk. Prof. MCGinnis argued that pupils have
rights from directors, namely, comfortable build
lngs,competent teachers of character, and a broad
and extensive course of study; from the teacher
the pupils have the rights of careful study of the
individual natures this confidence presupposing
each child to be honest and possessing marked
ability, from the parents they have the rights Of
perfect confidence and being treated courteDusly
and of a home traiping that leads them to show
utmost respect for Others Our duties as teachers
and parents, he says are the results of childrens
rights.
Miss Weller introduced the subject of drawing
by giving reasons why it should be taught.
Drawing is one OF the three best studies of the
school curriculum for cultivating perception; it
interests children as well Bringing out the
finer sentiments. The rudiments of drawing was
discussed, also the manner and method of teach
ing it i'll primary grades,
The Committee on Course of Reading reported
and recommended Dr.Shatfer's S book k-"Thinking
and Learning 10 Think" also Wofson's Ancient
History.
The Nature Lovers Spirit could be discussed by
no one better than Prot. Schmucker for who
could be more in earnest in his work. The spirit
of nature work he told u.s. is to teach children to
be observing and to have sympathy for the lower
forms of life, 1t cnltivates love for all that is
nODle, ana true. After this introducing his
work on nature study ne gave most interesting
discussion of the sun and sun spots, advising that
teachers and pupils look for the sun spot which
will be visible in two weeks.
Tuesday Oct. 20. Devotional exercises were
read by Rev. Robertson. After singing by insti-
tute, Miss Weller continued her talk on draw
ing. She showed how objects vary in magnitude
according to the distance, illustrating BY draw
ings which give the facts of size and structure of
object. To correct card containing square, circle
and oblong Will make multitude OF objects. As
soon as pupils are far lenough advanced to use
books this concreate method should beput aside
and abstract method taken up.
lntermission and music.
Prof Green was heartily welcomed by the In.
stItute. His subject, Masterpieces of Literature
was mos ably developed. He divides books into
Two classss transitory and permanent. A master
piece, as defined by Prof Green is a literary pro-
duction that betters the brain, helps the heart
lifts the life Masterpiecesare the delight of ma n
kind, not the sensation. We should read some
thing besides late novels and magazines we
should read books that make us think this is
Gods world Book intelligence is not measured
by the number of books read, it is better to read
few books and read them well then there will
be fewer Reading Kangaroos" in the world. In
order to Thoroughly understand masterpieces
the reader must get at the heart of them and al
low the imagination which is the centre and seat
of the intellectual world full play.
TUESDAY, P. NJ.
Geometrical figures was the part of drawing
under discussion. The different faces and their
proportions were illustrated. Miss Weller de-
veloped the rectangle and showed how various
IL,
In his remarks upon Points from Superinten-
dents Note Book Prof McGinnis stated that in
visiting school she following pons were crti-
cised Surroundings, sanitary conditions, en-
rollment appliances, and vivify the mental pic
ture children have of objects they should draw
them, being guided by the teachers instruction
In the talk PrmaryPupils Profitably blyEmployed
Mr.. McGinnis speaks of the employments at
seats. The busy work given children should
nave deeper meaning other than keeping pupils
busy. AS examples of practical busy work he
suggests work in Langu age such copy
Ing words, phrase, sentences; building
letters. In number work, cards may be obtained
from which teacher can lead the pupils to see the
true meaning of numbers Number work is not
mechanical. Telling child that plus equal
then asking him to learn it is not teaching num-
ber.. Form work affords much variety in busy
work. Splints and form manner and voice OF
the teacher, interest, awakened, and discipline
He emphasized the facts that the teacher should
possess strong personality and that she should
be kindly yet positive and firm.
The Family of Spinners about which DR.. Sch
mucker talked was the spiders The spider is
the most sagacious of insects and upon each
other. The spiders legs are terminated by strong
claws, and their length serves to keep out in
truders. Its web is a snare for other insects
When an insect gets into the web the spider al
lows it to entangle itself as much possible then
darts out, seizes the insect and drags it off into
hishouse. Nature seems to have fitted the spider
for such life. It's net to entangle the enemy is
what 1t endeavors to make as complete as pos
sible
Perfect silence prevailed when Prof. Green
arose to continue his instruction in Literature
His topic was John Ruskin, the mountain
minded man, as named by Prof. Green, He gave
only that part of his biography as helps to under
stand his writings. Ruskin's environment had
much to do with his success in life. He depicted
Ruskin as touching on al the movements of the
18th century yet one who had very little, if any
sympathy with modernimprovements To Ruskin
is due the beginnings of the University extern
slon movement, His inward nature was so high
ly cultivated that he could beauty in all
things MS aim in life was to help men to happi-
and virtue.
WEDNESDAY, a. NJ.
The devotional exercises were conducted by
Rev. Knox and after singing two selections, Miss
Weller took up the subject of drawing Per-
spective drawing at this period of development
gives place to the relation of geomeric figures TO
ngures disimilar to them. Application of geome-
trlc forms should be taught. AS uses of this par