The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-09-02
fReported be oliver. sllurtlcr. ]

4 T o.
this morning at the usual time with
the usual devotional exercises which
were led by Rev. I. 4. Blrnes. ase:sted
by Miss Dobson.
The first period was given over to
the subject. Reading For the Older
Boys and Girls Prof. Laidley ana
Miss Chase both speaking on the SUBJ
ject.
Prof Lai1lcy spoke first upon III"
subject. dwelling chiefly upon the fact
that those who select and direct the
reading OF the older boys and girls.
alolescent youth. should thoroughly
know and be acquainted with the chill
dren. After Prof. I.aidtey nad spoken
County Supt. Faust introduced Hon.
NJ. c. Lougf. member Board OF Re-
gents for State Normal Schools. Mr..
Lough spoke briefly concerning the
progress that West Virginia schools
had made In recent years.
Miss Chnsc followed with he" adj
dress upon the subject. "Rcadins for
the Older Boys and Girls" In par:
Miss Chase's address WIS as follows:
"Thc right selection OF books for 1T
| tie children is the subject OF Ernch
| discussion nowadays Eut IN equally
important problem. though less often
undertaken. Is the choice OF reading
for the older boys and girls, those
who are Of 1> upper grammar or
high school age. This is the period
SO often spoken of as adolescence,
characterized by Erowtt. and changing
ideals and consciousness of powers.
No period OF life is more important
and oftentimes none Is more re:r.eS-
Ing to parents and teachers. for ir Is
peculiarly the period of emotiona, de-
vclopmcnt without the guidance of ma
turc reason.
1t Is in no spirit OF unkindnes' taat
! In speaking OF this period one has
said, '.Hold the boy responsible for all
the accuracy of function and clearness
of vision which his experiences list1'
fies. Hold him up to his best. nn"-
ding means suicide" TH1nslatel lItn
terms of literature this means: Turn
the dreamy sentimental girl from emo
tional waste over sentimental romance
1 to Ercatcr physical rs we'll ms mental
activity; turn the physically active boy
who would perhaps. suffer arrest on
the low pane OF physical, courage anu
strength to higher lntellectnal pHr-
suits. Both extremes. love OF rc'k-
less adventure or Of poorly fashioned
love passlon, have been avoided. EiinS
saw NV nm early introduction to we'll
chosen books OF interest and culth.c
"1,urrc ranges OF interest Gun &c
opened nt this period when hahH'h
| svmpathics and cntnusiasms ure
strong. What man Is doing. what man
has .lonc-tnesc are problems Which
| must attract the youth when the III
coming currents of his own life make
him conscious OF himself as creative
force in the worlds activity. History.
biography, sociology, scicncc. poctf?'
nrt-au these i1nvc their attractive
pares for the Imagination The story
of nations, their rise and fall; H'cS
of mon selected for true worth Of char
acter rather than fame: tne onward
progress of civilization: mans power
| to overcome; science AZ nm all 10
min In overcoming: poetry and art as
nm expression of the highest and best
this Is food fit for the growing 'lliH
Fed upon such the youth will have nc
annette for that which is common or
base; for. as Carlyle said. II you re1'
this. YOU cannot read that
Great freedom OF choice mnJ be al
lowed In the selection OF books, DIT
the primary end OF literature 10" thr
child or for the ndolesccnt remains
the same. 1t is to interpret lie 10
him, life in It's fullness of meaning
Miss Chasn's address this morning
was perhaps the most valuable one Of
tho entire week.
After n short recess the institute
was divided into sectional meeting
Prof. Nolan having charge OF the p"i'
mary department with nature lesson
The lcsslon wis In every way pr1c'
ticnl one, Prof. Nolan having apparatus
and equipment demonstrating ar'l
proving each of mis- statements.
The elementary department was IN
charge of Prof. Roster and was c
Round Table discussion on "The <nrn
of Rural School Buildings"
Prof. Parker. of the Fifth war'l
school, also addressed tho department
on t"'Whys Some TencherS Do Not Gel
Continued on Page Four.)