The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1904-09-17
THE PARISH INSTITUTE.

On last Monday morning the
Parish Teachers Institute at
Franklin opened with an attend.
ance of nearly all the teachers OF
the Parish. which held daily ses-
sions for five days. The faculty
was a larger one than it has been
the custom to have at other points
where Institutes have been held.
Mrs. McVoy taught language, lit
erature and methods; Prof. Ives
arithmetic and science; Miss Les
sic Collins, grammar and history {;
Miss Jessie Troth, first grade work
and singing.
In one week it is not expected
that everything about one subject
can be taught; so it was not the
purpose of the Institute to have
the teachers regularly GO TO
SCHOOL, but to bring them to-
gether to have discussion about
the best methods of presenting a
subject to a class, and the means
a teacher may use to improve
himself in professional training
and general scholarship. The
faculty were high in their praise
OF the enthusiasm shown by the
teachers in attendance. Their
discussions showed great interest
in their work and much earnest
ness in regard to their profession.
On Tuesday morning there was
a pleasant surprise in the form of
a visit from Mr.. Keeney, Assist
ant Institute Conductor. He gave
the teachers some valuable sug-
gestions on what is popularity
called SPELLING. He said, if he
were running a school again he
would cut the word spelling out
OF the school curriculum, and sub
stitute for it word study. And
the lesson would be a word study,
not just a guessing lesson in which
the child might guess whether 1
or E came next in a word, but a
lesson in which the child is led to
employ as many of the five senses
as it it is possible for him to en-
ploy in the mastery Of that word.
He especially emphasized the
value of spelling on the moral ma
ture of the child. ii the subject
is properly taught it makes him
accurate, observant, honest, and
altogether has wholesome effect.
Mrs. McVoy is woman of I'M
usual ability, and this Institute
was most fortunate in being able
to secure her. Her work seemed
to fit the direct needs of the class
room. Every teacher went back
home feeling that she was richer
by having heard Mrs. McVoy,
and that she had something def
mite and something of great moral
worth to take to her pupils. Mrs.
McVoy's special work was along
the line OF language. She gave
lessons on the use that might be
made of nature, literature and art,
and she illustrated the manner of
procedure in the presentation of a
poem or work of art.
The work of the home talent
was most creditable.
Prof. G. A. Ives discussed the
new subject that has been estab-
lished by State law, Agriculture.
His experiments were to illustrate
the practical side of the subject.
The grammar and history work
by Miss LESSEE ColIinswas up to
the usual high standard. Her dis
cussions were indeed a wonderful
source of instruction.
1t is said that the singing work
done in the Institute is better than
that done in any other Institute in
the State-due to the able efforts
of Miss Jessie Troth.
Before closing the weeks work
the teachers organized a Parish
Institute, SO that they all might
meet at stated intervals and dis
cuss school work.
On Monday night an informal
program was rendered at the high
school building, when Judge AL
len delivered an address Of well
come to the teachers. Senator M.
j. Foster on Thursday night at the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS an address
to the teachers and public on edu-
cation in Louisiana and particu-
larry in St. Mary parish. Both
addresses delivered by the above
two distinguished gentlemen were
well received and enjoyed by those
who heard them.
TO the School Board, DR.. D. N.
Foster, Superintendent OF Educa-
tiQn, and Prot. G.. A. Ives, Con-
duetof Of the Institute, we are
greatly indebted for the splendid
privileges accorded US in having
had such educational advantages
during the week; there is no doubt
that to their exertioDs an added
stimulus has been given the cause
Of education.