The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-11-14

ing. Analysis or sentences is In
valuable as an aid to linguistic
study. Poor work in many branches
is directly traced to an improper un-
derstanding of English grammar.
Thoroughness and accuracy are to
be insisted upon. No teacher
should be given a passing mark in a
grammar examination who does not
thoroughly understand the subject
and who is not capable of teaching it
we'll. Preparation for teaching is
serious business. And no branch
requires more thorough training
than English grammar. The per-
sonality of the teacher can make of
it a living, vital truth and not a
dead subject"
The institute then adjourned to
meet Tuesday morning.
Tuesday Morning.
The institute opened with singing,
led by Prof. Watkins. He gives to
many of the teachers the only help
and training in singing that they get
all through the year. His enthusi-
asm is courteous. The devotional
exercises were conducted by Rev. G.
S. Wendell, pastor of the Honesdale
Baptist church.
DIR. CorsOn on Arithmetic.
DR.. o. T. Corson occupied the first
period with talk on Arithmetic"
He said in part: you can't teach
arithmetic without first sitting down
and planning an end to be accom-
plished by your teaching. Formerly
a teacher was employed solely on his
ability to solve certain arithmetic
questions. People have come to see
the need of less complicated sys-
TEN of arithmetic, for they realize
it is the least used of any subject
taught in school. Arithmetic would
be made usable in every day busi-
ness life. The teacher should see to
it that her arithmetic swears with
the arithmetic of the businss world
to-day. The arithmetic taught in the
public schools should bear at least
some relation to that used by the
outside world. In the sense of being
usable arithmetic is the least prac-
tical thing we teach. Grammar is
the most practical. The real educa-
tional value of arithmetic accord
ing to Mr.. Wentworth, properly
taught, contains the very essence of
intellectual training and deserves
the name of the logic of the people,
We used specialists in order to pro-
duce accurate scholarships, but the
great danger is that the specialist
forgets there is any other subject
beside his own. He has dug his
ditch so deep, that he cannot see
over it. Every teacher should be
interested in his own work, but
should be broadminded enough to
be interested in every subject taught
in the public schools" Prof. Cor
son told of woman who didn't want
the teacher to teach her boy "Al-
legation" in arithmetic, because she
said he'd never be an alligator, so
what was the use anyway. He also
told of another woman who was
asked if her boy should take the
Dead Languages" II suppose so,"
cause he's going to be an undertake
er." DR.. Corson asked why it was
pedagogical sin to count fingers
and not to count tooth-picks. He
said too much sense-training had no
sense in it at all, and that many
! boys were still counting tooth-picks
fence rails. "Too often a teacher
hCl Pupil Win wv many
concrete numbers. She should put
him into the realm of independent
thinking as soon as possible"
Financial Report.
The financial report of the insti-
tute for 1912 was then read by Miss
Vera Murray, treasurer of the insti-
tute.
Instructor Barbour Talks.
Prof. F. A. Barbour took up the
next period. He spoke of the inspir-
alton he got here in Pennsylvania
which he carried back to Michigan
English grammar is splendid mind.
discipline. 1t is a help in the ex-
preston of thought, also in the
analysis of thought A judicious use
of the diagram is wise. 1t is an ap,
peal to the eye and helps the pupil
in his grasp. The fundamental con
structions Of grammar should be
taught in short, simple sentences
within the comprehension of the
child"
Tuesday Afternoon.
| The Institute was opened with the
: songs, Pm Jack Frost the Painter
and There's Funny Old Fellow" 4"
: DIR. COrson on Schools.
DR.. Corson then presented the sub
ject scheduled for Monday afternoon
"The Largest Factor in the Improve
. ment of Schools" Among the man!
. excellent points of his address wer'
. the following: School Legislation
. will make better schools. Elimina
. ton of useless parts of subjects will
. tighten and better the curriculum
. Music and drawing marked an ad
. vance in the public school system
: Wherever possible these branche
: should be made compulsory. Tn