The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-12-03
INTERESTING MEETING.
Local Institute, Held at Winwood,
Was An ENJOYABLE Affair.

Local Institute, Held at Winwood,
Was An Enjoyable Affair.
The local institute Of Buckingham
and Preston townships, was held at
Winwood, Saturday, Nov. 20, 1909.
It convened at 10:30 with MIR. R.
G. Sanford as presiding officer.
After singing and prayer very
interesting paper was read by Miss
Sadie Madigan on Music" Miss
Grace Monaghan followed with the
subject Reading" Both papers
were excellent and represented
thoughtful preparation. A general
discussion followed in which many
helpful ideas were expressed.
The teachers in attendance were
then organized into class with Miss
Adelaide Watson as teacher to in
struct in the Ward system OF read
ing. Many interesting questions
were asked by Superintendent j. j.
Koehler and fully answered by Miss
Watson which we're very helpful to
the teachers of primary reading.
In the discussion that followed Mr..
Koehler expressed the belief that
the average child could not master
more than five new words day, but
those should be used by the child to
form sentences and should be un-
derstood.
At 1880 Prof. Van Horn of Buck
ingham High school, took up the
subject of Arithmetic extemporane-
ously.
The pupils should be accurate in
reading numbers of all denomina-
tions. Teach the fundamental prin-
ciples of Arithmetic and explain the
reason for every step taken.
Too much time is taken in teach
ing complex fractions. The study
of Decimals is very important. Frac'
tional forms should be used in teach
ing Percentage. Use practical meth
ods in every division of arithmetic
and insist upon the work being
systematic and accurate. In the dis
cussion which followed many helpful
ideas were given. Be practical in
teaching fractions. Square Root
and one method in Simple Interest
should be we'll taught. Insist upon
the pupil doing the necessary work
whether he likes it or not.
The public schools are more near
ly meeting the demands of the times
than any other institution.
Grimes and Cruelties of Chill
dren' was the subject of a paper
given by Miss Anna Guettolf in 6
very interesting manner. The spirit
of envy and of jealousy lead many
children to acts of cruelty. A chile
imbued with such spirit should be
placed where it cannot harm others
An excellent paper. on Morals
was presented by Mrs. Flora Tall
man. AS teachers of the public
schools we need to have well-de
fined idea of what we are expected
to accomplish. We are not to teacf
the books but the children. The
child is compared to a tender plan1
springing from the ground, which
daily needs training and guiding tt
keep 1t from falling. A strong hant
must support it, and, at times
there must be pruning to bring ou
all that Is best in the growing plant
Our work is to SO train tina
strength and beauty of character
may be the result. Fortunate II
the child who, on entering schoo
finds teacher who knows the Sc
crets of true education and will
train the pupils in habits of unset
truthfulness and honesty. Our live
should accord with what we teach
and our pupils will be more anxious
to obey our wishes and follow ou
example.
A paper on How to Teach thu
Classes" was read by R. Grac'
Winner. Whittier's Snow Bound
was taken as an example. Th
children can learn many lesson
from this beautiful poem.
Train their memory by HAVING
them memorize certain selections o
exceptional beauty found in tn
poem. They can be led to see tn
beauty in their surroundings, an,
in the homely characters with whicl
they daily come in contact. If thes
classics are we'll taught there will
be awakened in the soul of eacl
child love for literature, and lif
to him will be sweeter and noble
for having seen and felt the beau
ties of Snow Bound"
, After a few closing remarks b
Supt. j. j. Koehler, and the son
America" the institute adjourned
R. GRACE WINNER, Sec,y.
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