Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1904-10-27
Minutes of Teachers, Institute.


eron County Teachers Institute, opened on Mon
day. October 18th, 1901, with practically a full
attendance from the beginning.
At one-thirty the meeting was formally opened
! at the Court House by County superintendent
/ Matte NJ. Collins. A short PRAYER was offered
! by Rev. o. S. Metzler and Prof Ling of Empori-
um, conducted the singing which followed.
The first instruction was given by Prof. Harry
! f. Stauffer of MlyiIle N. j., formerly of this
| place. He reported his observations on the
! teaching of reading and other work in a Brook
| lyn school. His talk dealt with the met hods EN-.
| ployed there and practical suggestions for adopt
/ ing them to ungradcd schools. Talks of an in
! troductory nature were given by Prof. j. George
| Becht of Clarion and Prof Warren Darst of Ada,
/ Ohio. Prof. Becht talked on the subject "Rght
/ Views in Education" in which he emphasized
| the fact that education is a process of adjust
ment to our envoirment.
! Tuesdays session opened by prayer by
| the Rev. j. M. Robertson After roll call Prof
| Charles S. Cornell of California Pa took up the
| work of instruction in music.
Rational Discipline"was a subject most inter-
| estingly discussed by Prof Becht. Instead of
| suggesting individual methods for the various
! cases of misconduct, he explained impossible it
is to make one rule or principle fit all cases and
urged that the teacher study the disposition of
each pupil so that remedy can be applied to
| each individual.
1roI. Darst gave an interesting and instructive
| talk on Shakespeare's Macbeth" illustrating
] the development step by step, of wicked ambi-
tion and the agony Of the soul as a result II is
! to be regretted that Prof Darst did not have
time 70 treat the whole play with the thorough
ness which he practiced in the first stage of the
tragedy.
Prof. S;auffer continued his talk on "Obserya-
tons This one dealt with the teaching Of
Aritemetic in the East Orange, N. j., schools
Rapid accurate work was sought rather than
meth cd OF solution in working problems, and
showed att
The progress made there was helped by special
advantages which are not in reach of the COM
mon school, so the advance made by these pupils
cannot be taken as fair standard Tor ungraded
schools
Prof: Darat gave experimental lecture on
the subject Stages of Growth, :" using devices i'm
mensuration to illustrate how the mind erasns
facts by observation, elaboration or organization
and expression. He clearly showed how rules
and principles may be Interestingly deyeloped nv
observation and simple reasoning. Likewise all
knowledge must be acquired in logical order
Prof Becht began a series oftalks on Applied
psychology showing the value of this fascnat-
ing study in practical life and education and how
little tangles in discipline can be easily straight
ened by a keen study of human nature. The es-
sental feature of understanding another's feel
lngs or motives IS to put ones self in the other
person $ place, thinking from the others view
point as nearly as possible.
The Rev. Mr.. McCaslin conducted the devo-
tional services wednesday morning ard Prof
Cornell varied the work in Music by talk on
the VaIne OF musical instruction in the schools |
urging that classical melodies should be as ia, |
mIllar to boys and girls as the common ditties
Prof Stauer talked on the subject. Primary !
Language Work" No instruction conId he !
more practical or helpful to teachers and ifthe
excellent ideas he presented are not put into |
practice, the children of Cameron county will !
miss splendid opportunity in this line of devel-
opment. Among the many good things he said |
his guiding principle should be pasted in every |
language teachers hat: Work for original ex- !
preston first; seek correct forms last"
Prof Becht talked on the subject of Devices |
in Teaching" He emphasized the importance |
of keeping the children busy and toward this |
end suggested various means to help the teacher |
accomplish tins: He also gave several good de- /
vices for aiding the memory.
Amer the noon lntermission, Prof. Cornell gave |
instruction in the Elements of Music" Prof. /
treating the subject of Instincts He showed |
how instincts, love, ambition, imitation emula-
ton and SO forth, can be turned to good account ,
in discipline and by working on that instinct /
which is predominant in the child, power to !
govern may be easily acquired.
Prof Cornell favored the Institute with q |
solo, Lock Lomund." For an enchore he sang, /
Twenty Years Ago"
Addresses were then made by Professors |
Sweeny, Superintendent of Elk county and I
Lynch, Principal of st. Marys schools.
Prof. Darst talked on the Tragedy of Re- |
venge." as developed in Miltons Paradise /
Lost" His treatment of this great epic brought
out the sublime intensity of feeling that is char
acteristic of Milton and the steps in the tragedy
a recorded in the poem.
The Rev. l.. b. Twichell conducted the OPEN
ing exercises on Thursday morning Prof Cor
nell continued the instruction in music.
his Glass" giving practical advice as to the atti-
tude of the teacher and the child in the preSeu-
tation of class work. He laid stress upon the
fact that the teacher should make definite prepa-
ration for each recitation.
Prof Becht continued his instruction in 'Ap-
piled Psychology" dealing with the i'm portance
of cultivating the imagination, or wonder power
Lack of imaginative power causes lack of appre-
citation of true beauty.
Song by the Instute was next in order and it
was interesting to note the improvement that
was wrought by Prof. Cornell.
Miss Maude Willis, of the Lock Haven Nor
mall talked on the Teaching of Reading" ,"as
she had observed in western school. The
method was good because it brought out original
expression. Miss Willis favored the Institute
with selection which was well received
Prof Darst spoke on the Opportunities of the
Teacher" carrying out the idea touches by
Prof. Becht, namely; the importance of the
development of the imaginative side of the child /
and bringing out individual ideas by careful
study of each child.
Prof. Becht gave the Address to Directorsn
There was fair representation OF them present !
and the interest manifested reflects credit upon
the men who have charge of our schools.
Prof. Darst talked on Tennyson's "GuineYere,"
showing the development ofthe stages in tragedy |
of yoluptuousness. The treatment was mastery
and more than passing interest in this grand
poem aroused.
Miss Willis spoke on the subject, "Interpreta-
tion." 1t is an old coincidence how the training
of the imagination was emphasized during these
sessions. Miss Willis stated that the person of |
greatest imaginative powers receives the greatest
pleasure from master piece. Ability to imagine
the setting of piece adds much to the enjoy
ment oft. Miss Willis gave reading, entitled
king Robert of Cicily."
The Institute met at $50 on Friday morning
and Prof. Cornell gave his final instruction. He
talked on the Lives of the Great Composers and
the beauty of their works.
Devotional exercises conducted by the
Rev j. A. Sypher, of the Methodist church.
Prof. Darst gave his farewell talk and urged
the teachers to get the children interested and
then work to bring out the things that they have
been endowed with. Prof Darst has pleasing
way of speaking and everyone enjoyed his in
structon