Amador ledger., 1909-11-19
November Il. 1903.

Institute was called to order by MI
Davis at 9;30 Singing by committee
and institute. Roll was called and
teachers we're present except those ex-
cused by superintendent Minutes Of
Tuesday meeting we're read and approved
after some corrections.
Miss Potter took up the subject of
Primary Language. She stated in part.
/, is hard subject including all the
forms of the expressions of a child. 1t
is subject that must be worked out
in detail Before a recitation in Lam
guage or any other study. it is wise for
the teacher to stop and question herself
and see ii what she is doing is for the
good of the child. She should not try
TO follow too closely the course of study
that is to be hampered by it, but rather
should endeavor to get large view of
the subject. Language deals with the
whole life of the child. School life
should supplement home life, not sup
plant it, Primary teachers especially
should aim to keep the child free,
happy, and spontaneous. Allow them to
drink in and do not expect them TO give
out much. To the child a book is
dead affair Be careful not to thrust the
printed page upon the child too soon.
Even if the recitation period be but l0
minutes, have it purely language reci-
tation. Language means the mastery of
the vernacular Do not have the child
write too soon, but rather have the
lesson oral. The child should learn to
write, and write well but all writing
should fit into the child life.
Miss Potter then took up the subject
OF reading She said in part. There
are two ways of teaching reading. One
to call attention to the mechanics of ex-
preston; the other to tell the child to
work for the thought The former
method fails in dealing with small
children because it lacks rythm. Drills
in mechanics do little toward getting
the thought S. H. Clark says, eff the
teacher had greater interest in good
literature, her interest would enthuse
the child and cause it to become better
reader. The teacher should drill iu
dramatics. Commit some beautiful
poem, recite it to all imaginary audi
ance, and SO get confidence TO go before
pupils. The cause of Eoor reading is
often due to lack of interest on the part
of the teacher The aim of all reading
is TO get others to see the picture.
When once 1t is an established fact that
reading is important, YOU may expect
better results. A great drawback is that
think of quantity rather than quality.
A result to be obtained in reading is to
extract thought from the printed page,
that is to grasp the message that the
author wished to convey. The motto to
keep continually in mind is, sect the
thought, hold the thought and give the
thought. Begin constant use of the
dictionary in the 5th Grade, but use it
occasionally before.
A discussion was entered into by
different members of the institute re-
garding spelling. The result finally
brought out was teach only such words
as the child will use every day. After
the discussion Miss Potter httngly
closed her subject by reading Brete
Hart Chow Santa Clause Came TO
Simpsons Bar, as an example of prose
reading.
A recess was then declared After
recess Mr. Kirk talked on. Education
al and Life Values of the Common
School Branches: He said. The
teacher should know why he is teaching
subject. The question asked "Why
is geography taught?' Mrs Botto
suggested because geography is the
most broadening subject taught. Miss
Potter gave as an answer to adjust person
to his environments. Mr. Kirk summed
it up with these words, - 1t is full of
life and practical " Why teach History?
Because it teaches tine emulation of true
greatness 1t fits for citizenship. . 1t
teaches private care of public property.
It promotes patriotism and broadens
human sympathy. Lecture was 10 be
continued after the noon intermission.
Meeting was called to order by Mr.
Davis at AS.
Mr. Kirk continued his subject by
asking the question, "Why do you
teach civil government? 1t makes the
pupil familiar with political affairs and
teaches obediencce to those in charge OF
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