The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14

| In which good teaching is most necessary.
Reading and phonios were treated by Miss
Ellen Willis, who who is quite capable in
teaching these subjects.
In the special subjects of manual arts.
drawing and music the work is entirely
practical. Miss MoAdory and Miss Alex
ander gave regular instruction in draw
ing and Mr.. Blough in music, besides is
suing to those teachers who were COM
petent the required certificates of pro-
ficiency in the teaching of these studies,
Willingham Spoke Thursday
| In addition to this routine work there
were a number of lectures on matters re-
lating TO the life of the schools. State
Superintendent of Education Wilingham
spoke Thursday on THE Teachers In
| fluence." His knowledge of schools COW
/ ering as 1t does the entire state, allows
him to speak with authority on any school
matter, and he dealt very practically with
this subject. That 1t is considered one
of vital Importance Is shown by there be-
ing two addresses on this subject Miss
Rosa Strickland spoke on THE Teacher
and the Community" which was of course
along the same line as Mr.. Willingfam' s
/, talk.
Mr.. N. r. Baker. whose work as super
visor of the elementary rural schools of
Alabama carries him over the entire state.
and who is In closer touch with the state 5
rural schools than is anyone else, was
present for brief time and addressed
the teachers on Lights and Shadows in
Educational Work" Mr.. Baker always
has fund of new and intensely interest
ing information in regard to the rural
schools. and his talks are always ap-
ne in 11no f1Atr
conditions and are too full Of stories of
life in the country schools to need any
platitudes or any coloring
DR.. Phillips spoke THE Improve
ment of Our Schools" and Mr. Hewitt
explained concisely the changes and re-
visions in the rules and regulations gov
erning the reports and clerical work gov
erningsthe county schools. This work is
largely in his care, and he has happy
faculty of managing with ease this fou-
tine side of school teaching.
Mr.. j. B. Hobby, who with Mr.. l.. n
Duncan is at the head of the Boys Corn
club movement in Alabama, and who is
especially capable in institute work, came
to Birmingham for two days and gave
talks on this new feature of school work
Active in Agricultural Work
Though the schools nearest to Birming-
ham are not in agricultural districts, there
are many of the boys farther out who
are active in this work. and it is to
teachers of the country schools that Mr..
Hobby speaks most directly. His talks,
illustrated with appropriate charts and
stereoptfcon views, are of material bene-
fit to those who wish to introduce or to
advance the corn clubs.
All the work of the institute was en-
tirely practical, looking to efficient teach
ing and capable management during
the coming school year. The reading cir
Gle was emphasized and the jefferson
County Teachers association held its first
meeting for tho year to reorganize and
to launch its work. There will be a new
feature there in the special meetings
for one, teacher schools, and the School
Improvement association will again be
connected with the teachers association.
In the separate grades work was out
lined and various methods and helps were
discussed. The first grade room, where
all the first grade teachers of the county
are assembled, is always one of the most
delightful features of this annual in
stitute The little child who is entering
school As always appealing, and these
first grade teachers seem set apart from
those who have advanced grades. There
Bradford as instructor, and their meet
ings are among the most popular of the
institute. Some of the sessions were held
jointly with Miss Susan Todd's second
grade teachers. as the two grades are
| closely connected.
! The supervisors and principals had