West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1904-09-15
TEACHERs'INsTITuTE.
Held at Terra Alta From August goth
Until September End.

ENAAos Nh hNnuhys August ~, WIFI
strong corps Of instructors. State
superintendent Miller informed the
writer that nowhere in the State this
year had he provided so strong a
corps of instructors.
County Superintendent Carrico.
called the Institute TO order prompt
ly at 1880 a. IN.
The opening exercises consisted OF
singing America" and devotional
exercises by Rev. s. ]. Cotton.
County Superintendent announced
the appointment of Mr.. W. l.. Thomas
aud Miss Josie Dixon as secretaries,
which was followed by the distribu-
lion Of enrolment cards. and the
enrolment of all in attendance.
Supt. Csrrico next introduced
State Superintendent Miller, who
made short talk, dealing largely
with the question OF school taxes.
length Of school term, etc The
question Of longer minimum term
was suggested by this talk. which
caused the teachers to do some think
ing upon their own account. IL is
a significant fact, that jefferson
county, which we people have al
most regarded as still belonging to
the old Dominion, has an average
term of nine months, for the whole
county. Whtre does the mountain
region OF old Preston come in9 IL
looks like we are somewhat behind
The procession.
Supt Miller, introduced DIR. r..
G.. Booze. formerly Supt School,
Cincinnati; now Of Elmirs, New
zYork, a prominent educator. and a
man of national reputation who
made-a short talk upon the three
essentials Of good teacher; saying
that they were as follows. First,
Knowing how to think. Second,
Habit of being interested in things.
Third Do thoughtfully today what
you have to do
Supt Miller next introduced DR..
Chas. w. Dean of Bridgeport, Conn. +,
as one of the instructors for the
week. who made a short Introductory
talk.
Prof. II. I. Mcdonald of Harpers
Ferry, Pres. of Storer College, was
next introduced as instructor for the
week, who takes the place Of Prof.
Fleming. While the Preston teachers
were much disappointed in not hav-
ing Prof. Fleming with us this year,
as they had hoped. they were pleased
to have Prof. Mcdonald, as a substi-
tute.
Institute adjourned promptly at
70 IN. for dinner.
Afternoon
Institute was called to order by
Supt. Carrioo, at 1.15 p. M, followed
by the singing Of the Battle Hymn of
the Republic. DR.. II. @ Booue,
took mp the first period, and spoke on
the subject, Habits of Thinking. We
should equip the child with a good,
healthy, desire to know thugs. Are
they SO taught as to make them have
burning desire to know thingsG he
then spoke Of the importance Of form
ing the book habit Books are 40 cheap
nowadays that You can get gems OF
literature for comparative few
cents. Do we appreciate the good
that books are doing us.
We became letter writers, and
newspaper readers about forty years
ago because of the Civil War. The
fathers aud mothers at home wrote
to their boys at the front because
they wished to hear from them, and
learn il they we're still among the
living. There WAS eager desire to
read the daily paper in order to learn
the movement of the armies, and the
detail Of battles fought
Business mon today. do not write
so many letters they send kilograms,
and telephone messages, and when
they do write you can scarcely give
it the dignity Uf calling it letter.
II is a uote.
We are fast becoming a nation OF
book readers, and book-users. The
school can do no better for boys aud
girls in the community than to fz
this reading habit with them Tht
book is the tool Of the school, home
OF society, jnst rs the saw is the tool
OF the carpenter. To read is to see
the thought, through the word, with
ont being conscious Of the words
themselves TO talk Is TO set th,
mouth going and go off and leave II
going without being conscious Of the
words themselves
The books should be made for the
child, = mere tool, and not an end foi
reading The chief thing is to bsv,
the child TO understand the printed
page. and simply bo able to cal
| words
II yo1 can not get supplementary
books for reading you can secure lee
sons from Sunday newspapers, an
Saturday papers, the Youths Com
papion, st Nichols, etc thest
should be mounted On card
boatd, and in a few years you vii
have q complete set Of reading les
sons.
Miss Holbrook. teacher in Chicago
has ten thousand pictures TO roinfofc
her work ia geography.
State Superintendent Miller took nj
the subject OF the newly prepared
Manuel, which contains grade
course Of study for common schools
Urging al teachers 70 uss great car
ia the grading Of their school and q
the preparation Of their grsde sheet