The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1911-12-07
APPEALS TO MEMBERS OF THE
w. VA. STATE TEACHERS
't... ASSOCIATION.
Utilitarianism
AS opposed to Classicism Prevades
Throughout the Two Dav Session
and Much Interest was Manifested
In the Discussion OF Papers
Dealing With School Work.
Especial to The Advocate J

Especial to The Advocate,)
k1mball, Dec. 2.-The 10Th annual
session of the w. Va. State Teach
ers Association was held here Nov.
~ and Dec. 1st. The attendance
was large and great deal of in
| terest was manifested. This was an
excellent opportunity for those, who
still cling to the idea that the Nor
, folk and Western section is wild.
rude, rough, and uncivilized, to see
the progressiveness Of the people in
this section along all lines-indus-
trlally, socially, and intellectually.
The teachers were entertained in
homes, for the most part, owned and
furnished by the occupants. In
kimball, as elsewhere in the "coal
fields" many houses are owned by,
the coal operations, but the teach
into these also. Even though they
were not owned by the occupants.
they. were we'll furnished and we'll
Kept by them. Every body seemed
solicitious about their welfare They
were met at the station by Princi-
pal johnson, and conducted to the
Presbyterian Church, whence places
We're assigned. -
Thursday morning at II O'Clock,
the annual sermon was preached by
Rev. i. D. Coleman. He emphasiz-
ed the purpose Of training children
and showed that the transitional
period in the life of an individual
race or nation is the most critical
Thursday afternoon, otter the
welcome address by.Mr. w. D., john
son and response by Mrs. V. l.. Ed
wards, the work Of organization and
enrolment Of members began, Over
hundred members enrolled, but
there were at least one hundred
and fifty present.
The work Of the Primary Depart
ment Wass we'll presented. The CEN
tral idea in this department., as in
every other, was that the training
was the basis Of a practical educal
ton.
The paper on rural schools sup
plemented by Hon. A. G.. Monahans
lecture On rural schools showed very
clearly what factor the rural
school could be made in rural life
Mr.. Monahan has studied the rural
| is thoroughly acquainted with them.
He emphasized the fact that those
things essential in the Lives Of the
children should be taught and that
rural schools must be made
broader and more useful than the
old time school has been. These
| things could be done by consolida-
ton, by better school houses, and
| by better salaries. Teachers can do
| much to add to the aesthetic side of
school life, by the addition Of flow
ers, shrubs, trees, pictures, and
paint. They can prevent many dis
eases by improving the sanitary
| conditions, and by proper heating
and -veHtilation.~--4H Interest ean--be
aroused by "school gardens" which
give all the scholars something to
do outside, and by introducing ag-
riculture. These are the best ways
in many cases to get parents inter-
ested In the school.
He showed how composition work,
! the bug-bear of English, could be
| simplified and made easy and inter-
esting by choosing practicaN sub
jects and doing practical things
which they write about afterwards.
The Supt. Of Schools at Welch.
and Supt. Cook were present a great
part Of the time. The Supt at Welch
made short talk in which he en-
| phasized the equal education Of
all, namely: Of the head, heart and
| hand. All through the session there
was evidence Of "Utilitarianism
prevailing over "Classicism'' in our
educational system.
| Thursday evening Mr.. Harrlson'S
reading from Dunbar, Shakespeare,
aud Dungel, kept the audience
laughing all the time, except in the
Court Scene from the Merchant
Of Venice, when their hatred and
sympathy in turn were aroused.
Friday morning, in the Grammar
School section some excellent
thoughts on Glow to awaken and
secure attention" and cooperation
among teachers" were brought
The discussions following the first
mentioned paper we're rather num-
ercus and animated. The express.
i ion Of sentiments on the questions
j. suggested by the State Supt. with
lregard to the Summer School were
n lively, also. The Association was
/ ... ,icoNTraUyp ON PAGE FoUR)