The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-08-20
SOME GOOD
POINTERS
Are Given to Teachers by the
Instructor.
INTEREST INCREASES
AS the County Institut
Progresses.
School Commissioner Jones Address
es the Teachers Attendance at
all Sessions is Large.

S'"lteu OH PLEASANTLY
WIN several Voeai selections given
oy "a quartet COMPOSED of Mrs Alice
White Misses Clura and Flora Ko
Wake and Miss Cast.
Prof. Albert continued his talk ON
.De subject of Geography. 1T
mas been said" said Mr.. Albert.
ina the great maker of the man
cut out of places for the large cities. :"
He then enlarged upon the geograpnv
OF a city, effecting its industry and
Importance, etc, naming several large
cities of the world and giving their
geographical significance. He in
sisted, as in former talks. on the
child studying the world as relative
TO his own home. Taking up a pro-
duct the child is led to ask what Is It
made of, whence comes the material.
why, from that particular section.
etc This kind OF inductive teaching
leads the child into a desire to read
up, himself, and hence gets away
from the confines Of the text book.
Speaking of the great industrial sec
lions OF this land. he mentioned how
at one time. England was almost de-
pendent upon Chicago for wheat. but
on securing India for her own, got
1t great deal cheaper, as her own
product. Some people at the time
attributed the loss of Englands trade
to Cleveland's administration ..but."
remarked Albert, ut was Just mat
ter of common sense"
After the intermission. the ladies
quartet favored the audience with
several selections. which were well
received by the teachers. Prof. OShea
continued his talk on "Form VS..
Spirit in Teaching" for the next
hour.
Italy" said the speaker, sis
known far and wide for the beauty
and accuracy of her handwriting.
The hand is skilled, until It becomes
more efficient in copying designs and
in writing than in any other coun-
try, but the Italian child has COM
pletely lost its appreciation for art;
1t h2s learned TO see outlines and
flat surface, until It fails to breathe
into work of art, depth and beauty;
1t sees ony outline. In Italy the
form IS exalted, to the detriment of
the spirit"
''ln America we are in danger of
losing the sense of aesthetic vsiue as
the Italians have. We are teaching
our children to outline instead of
spontaneously drawing, giving life
and soul and depth. If We carry the
technical form, and accuracy too far,
we lose the spirit
I'm America, spelling is taught too
formally, as is drawing. The teach
ers are compelling their pupils to
learn the spelling of difficult words
long before child can grasp their
meaning or use them intelligenty in
daily life. This should no more be
done than we should compel a child
to read all the old and standard
where simple books, deal
ing with contemporary life are of
far more value.
'.'1n every subject we should search
out the vital side and exalt the part
that is significant and important for
a chlld's practical education. Be-
cause of the medieval customs, It Is
difficult for us to forget the formal
and conventional method of education. |
This country, however, is in a plastic |
1t is awakening to the true
,acts of school life, 1t is studying the |
and 1t is hoped our ma
ion will in the near future acquire
he ideal and more spiritual.
After his lecture, Prof. 0'Shea OPP
med the question box and answered |
he questions on successful pedagogy |
given by the teachers.
The institute the nadjourned.
THURSDAY MORNING.
Rev. j. p. Curr1n, of the Fist
Baptist church, conducted devotional
exercises Thursday morning.
After opening exercises, President
Iones, of the Institute, appointed
for the townships aud vii
ages of Marion county for the fol-
owing year.
THE Trend of the Teens" was the
subject of Prof. O'Sheas lecture this |
He spoke of the peculiar |
stages of life, from infancy to old
age, but of al these stages, youth is
he most important,
Youth, although golden, happy and
care free, ever looking at the future
Is the critical epoch, the imp )rtant
stage of persons life. Why? Be-
cause Elasticity is the essential, dom
Inant characteristics. 1t Is the period
Of impressions and inductions. 1t is