Ladysmith news. [volume] (Ladysmith, Wis.) 1906-1907, 1906-07-28
The INSTITUTE CLOSES
Work Wound Up Yesterday and Con-
ductors Depart Many Teachers Re-
main for Summer School

The institute conductors finished their
work yesterday, and depart this morn
ing. Prof, Birkbeck returns to Galena
and Mr.. Kinsman goes to Vernon coun-
ty to condnct institute there.
Supt. Mackin states that the work
this year compares favorably with our
former Institutes, thai the average
age of members is little higher, and
that the chances for results in the
schools seem greater for the following
reasons: the subject matter taught
will be carried to the schools. in the re-
vised course of study which has been
the text followed, the term of institute
has been longer than usual and more
drill and review work has been given.
WHAT MR.. BIRKBECK HAS TAUGHT.
Much attention has been paid to the
beginning of reading, because SO much
depends upon the first few years of the
school life of a pupil in his reading.
The Phonic and Word methods have
been combined. This compound method
of teaching reading starts the pupil on
the right road, that of helping himself
and of thought getting. A great deal
of emphasis has been given to the
thought getting power of the pupil.
This is what reading should mean. At
ter pupil gets the thought of SEN
tence the right expression will come
very easily.
The work in geography conducted by
Mr.. Birkbeck was along the lines given
by the State Department of Education.
This gives the young teacher an idea
how best to commence the study. So
many make a mistake in teaching
geography as something away off from
themselves. Home geography has
been made the basis of the work Thus
building from the known to the more
remote.
Agriculture has had an important
place on the program. Many simple
experiments have been made before the
class. The subject of agriculture is
now being taught in all of our common
schools and with good degree of sue
cess. The aim has been to give some
thing to the teachers that they can use
|. in their respective schools. We must
keep mp with the times along the agri-
cultural line The farm life is much
more attractive to the boys and girls
when they know the reason for many
of the things they do. Scientific farm
ing is the paying farming. The reports
from the state and United States ex-
pertinent stations have been used to a
great extent in the institute. These
are free and the teachers can get them
for the asking. A deep interest was
shown by the teachers in this work.
Mr.. KINSMAN'S DEPARTMENT.
The work in arithmetic hae been pre-
sented by Prof. Kinsman. He has re
peatelly called attention to the truth
that much of the teaching of arithmetic
in our schools has been without purpose.
He has laid great emphasis upon the
fact that the teacher should always know
befor hand just what she is going to
teach in each recitation. More than
thgt she must know how she is going
to develope the snbject under consider
alton. Every teacher seould have a
good reason for teaching certain way.
This will throw out much of the useless
matter now taught in arithmetic and
will greatly improve the methods of in
struction says Prof. Kinsman. The
arithmetic required by the Manual in
the primary and middle forms has been
taken up and carefully presented as a
consequence of the work in arithmetic
the teachers in attendance on the insti-
tute will have better knowledge of
the requirments of the Manual.
Prof Kinsman also conducted the
Libary Reading work. The teachers
have been instructed in the labelling,
catalogning and care of libary books.
Wholesome suggestions have been given
OF how to interest the children in the
libary and the many valuable books
found in it. CAREFUL and practical in
struction has bnen given in cataloguing
the school libary. IF the teachers will
follow the instruction and catalogue
their school libraries it will greatly en-
hance it's value to both teachers and pu-
Is. 1t is hoped this work will be en-
couraged by school boards1 throughout
the county.
Throughout the institute Prof Kins-
man has been giving daily talks on
school management. The aim of edu-
cation, the qualities of good teacher,
and the best method of school manage
ment are few of the subjects discuss
ed. These actresses have been helpful
and inspiring.
The purpose in having class of child
rem at the institute has been to illus