Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-01-28
TEACHERS INSTITUTE
Held in This City Last Friday and
Saturday Proved q Great Success.
PROGRAM GIVENATHIGHSCH0
Large Atieudance Throughout Both Days Of
the Session Interesting Program.

the Session Interesting Program.
The 18th annual session of the Gratiot
County Teachers Association Institute
was held last Friday and Saturday in
this city. The sessions of the two day
meeting were held at the High school
room at the central school building and
were largely attended, l75 teachers be-
ing present at one time Friday.
The institute was called TO order at
O'Clock Friday morning by President G..
+. Ganiard The first on the program
was singing Michigan, My Michigan"
being the selection in which all Joined
heartily. After which the first graders
sang two selections and then the secre-
tary, Miss Anna Winn, presented her
report which was we'll received. "The
New Course of Study was the subject
assigned Supt. G. E. Ganiard and he
gave the teachers some facts that they
will long remember. The superin-
tendent was opposed to new subjects,
and advised the elimination of alluseless
material. He considered the text book
of little value TO the pupil, but of value
10 the teacher in offering suggestions,
and would not advise their use before
the sixth grade. He would have the
child memorize her work. The speaker
held the close attention of his hearers
during his entire address.
The Township Unit System" was
presented by Commissioner c. f. Pike,
and the subject thrown open to general
discussion. Prof Ellsworth was be-
lever in the system and would have one
high school for every township, and one
school board for the same territory.
Recess was then taken after which
Prof. Ellsworth gave an interesting talk
on the subject of School Sanitation"
Maps and diagrams were used to illus
trate the subject which covered heating,
ventilation, and oiled floors. The speaker
advised single seats in the school room
and would descard the common drinking
cup. The address was full Of facts that
if adopted as suggested cannot but prove
beneficial 20 the school children of the
county.
Beginners Reading" was the subject
OF an excellent paper by Miss Coy,
Alma's sub-primary teacher. The
thought advanced showed excellent re-
suits i'll the case of young pupils who
have been instructed in sentence method,
through rhyme.
The afternoon sessions was opened
with songs from the "Knapsack" and
music by Almas sixth graders, after
which DR.. ]. N. Day presented an able
paper, taking for his subject "Tuber-
culosis." The address showed care
full preparation and danger of the
"White Plague"
1.-The New Teacher" was the subject
assigned Prof. w. d. Henderson of the
L. of NJ. and the subject was treated in
an able manner. The speaker said "The
New Teacher is not the teacher of read
ing, writing and arithmetic, but the
teacher of hand, head and heart. The
school room and school ground should
be made models of Deatness. He adj
vised his hearers when they did no
know what to do with boys and girls, to
do nothing
Saturday morning the second grade
opened the exercises with music, after
which Prof r. ID. Calkins of Mt.
Pleasant, addressed the teachers on
What Is Geography" This lecture
was illustrated by maps and proved one
of especial interest to his hearers.
"Story Telling by Miss Edna B.
Watson of Ithaca, was next on the pro-
gram. This paper had to do more es-
pecially with kindergarten and was in
part illustrated on the piano to a num-
Der Of children present. The address
was subdivided in several parts each one
of which was treated by the speaker
separately.
Home Geography" by Prof. Calkins
brought out many new ideas to the
teachers present.
Several other interesting papers were
on the program, all of which went to
assist in making the 10Th annual meet
ing one of the best ever held.
The county institute means much to
the pupils of the various schools as it is
through this means that the teacher
has the opportunity of hearing and lis
tening to suggestions made by others
interested in some line of work, and in
so doing receives new ideas and thought.
which upon return to her school may
be put to work to the benefit of the
pupil. The association officers and
Commissioner Pike are 20 be congratu--
lated upon the success of the institute.