Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-11-22
To the Friends of Education.


In order that better acquaintance
and a closer relationship may be es-
tablished among teachers, parents,
school officers and taAuayers. am
planning series of meetings in diff
ferent sections of the county during
the fall and winter. That these meet
ings may result in the greatest mea-
sure of value to all they must be well
attended. Everyone living in the
locality where Injecting is held, is
therefore cordially invited to come
and take part in the discussions.
These meetings are Ito be held on
Friday afternoons because in almost
a number of people, often including
teachers. who desire to come to De.
corah or go elsewhere on business on
SATURDAYS. SATURDAYS, too, are the
days when teachers and others having
business to transact at the superin-
tendent' soffice, call there. On this
account he should not be absent from
the Office on Saturdays.
AS nearly as can be determined now
the places OF meeting and dates will
be as follows:
Calmar, Friday, Dec. Sth, | :l5 pm
Castalia, Friday, Dec. 18th, :l5 p m.
Ridgewav, FRIDAY, Jan. 18th, / :l5
p. m.
Fort Atkinson, Saturday, Jan. 18th,
1:l5 p. m.
Highlandville, Friday, Jan. 10th,
/ :15 p. m.
Hesper, SATURDAY., jar. Goth, 10 D. IN.
Kendallville, Friday, Feb. 2nd,
! :15 D. m.
DEBORAH, December /.
The following is list of topics for
discussion. Consider them carefully
and call up such ones as you are in
terested in:
/. Importance of moral training
in the schools.
2. Teaching the little things in
a subject as we'll as teaching the
general idea of it.
3. What parts of the Arithmetic
should we omit, if any are omitted?
A. What shall we do for the large
boys who can attend school but short
time in the winter?
8. What shall we do with pupils.
who refuse TO take the work in any
given branch, such as history, TO:
instance?
6. How best teach the effects of
stimulants and narcotics?
z. Is it advisable to read stories
from the Bible in the schools?
s. Is there necessity for changing
any of the county schoolbooks?
8. To what extent ara parents re-
sponsiDle for the success or failure
of the work in the school?
10. The Recitation
/. Its purpose.
2. Steps in conducting it.
IL. What shall we do with our
human parasites in the school?
IL. What limits may we expect to
the social privileges" extended to
the pupils?
10. Things to observe in assignment
of lessons.
IA. The teaching of Literature.
(a) How? (b) What Co How
much?
10. The teaching of Mental
Arithmetic.
49, Introduction of Nature Study
into the country schools.
II. How may we reduce the num-
Der of classes, and thus secure longer
recitation periods?
IS. Teaching the fundamental
operations of Arithmetic. How
thoroughly must the work be done?
10. To what extent are school en-
tertainments to be encouraged?
20. How, and to what extent should
the teacher enter into the pupils
social life outside of school?
81. How to awaken an interest in
spelling.
90. The Writing period in school.
When is the best time to have it?
How best conduct the exercise?
80. Arithmetical Drills. Their
importance and their purpose.
"a. Busy work for lower grades.
%. Teaching Music in rural
schools. How much2 How taught?
49, Making tine schoolroom at
tractiye
81. Defects in teaching Reading.
(a) In lower grades. (b) In upper
grades.