The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-07-07
COUNTY INSTITUTE
Manual for Teachers
Prepared by Prof.
Chas. |. Coon.

manual for teachers institutes,
edited by Prof. Charles l.. Coan, has
just been issued by the Department
of Public Instruction. This manual was
prepared at the suggestion of and
after consultation with State Super
intendent ]. Y. Joyner, by Mr.. Coan
who has had successful experience IN
all sorts of public school work and
in institute work. The purpose of it is
to secure more definiteness, uniformity
and continuity in the work of county
institutes and summer schools. me
manual was submitted for discussion
and suggestion to the institute con-
ductorS appointed for this Suramer,
and other invited teachers, in con-
ference in Greensboro. After careful
examination of the manual, it was
unanimously approved.
THE biennial county teachers in
stitute," in the language of the public
laws of North Carolina, is to be held
for the purpose of training the public
school teachers of each county This
does not necessarily mean that all
public school teachers are unframed,
though a majority of them have had
very little special training for the
work of teaching, but rather that all
public school teachers can be better
trained than they now are.
A teachers institute should, first of
all. attempt to give teachers definite
conception of what is to be taught in
the elementary public schools.
The second thing which the institute
should attempt to do is to show the
teachers how to teach the several sub
jectS so as to carry into practical eff
feet the course of study.
The third thing which every insti-
tute should aim to accomplish is to
broaden the scholarship of the teach
erS of the public schools. as well as
TO show them what to teach and how
to teach it.
1t will undoubtedly prove more
profitable to all concerned if the insti-
tute conductor does not attempt too
many subjects during the session of
the inetitute. Reading, including
spelling and writing, language, draw
ing and agriculture, should be en-
phaSized; drawing and agriculture be-
cause they are new subjects in the
course of study, and reading, writing,
spelling and language because they are
fundamental to a proper grasp of all
the other school subjects.
Besides the three main purposes of
the county institute, there are other
things to be done by it, The school law
should be studied, and the county SUI
perintcndent, board of education, and
school committeeman should be invl-
ted TO attend.
The conductor should get acquainted
with the educational condition of the
county and be able to suggest ways
and means by which school houses
may be improved, local taxation adopt
ed, and school consolidation effected,
where needed. This all means that
the county institute must also make an
effort to reach all the educational life
of the county and uplift it, pointing
out the way to future progress and
putting to work such local forces as
will accomplish the necessary reforms.
Such educational campaign work is a
necessary part of every institute, be-
cause it concerns the future efficiency
of the schools as vitality perhaps as
does the training of the teachers.
The program given in the manual
will give the institute conductor gen
eral idea of the work necessary to be
done in carrying out all aims and pur-
poses set forth.