The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-08-28
RAD Morning FOR.
OLD FOGY IDEAS.
IN SCHOOL ROOMS.
Two Institute Instructors
Ran Up High Batting
Average.
SOCIAL SESSION HELD.
Prizes Given for Quick
Thinking at Evening
Gathering

About 276 teachers were enrolled
this morning at the Miller school
where the annual Marion county in
stitute is being held
As this year all teachers attending
summer school were excused from In
stitute, not quite as large a number
enrolled but much interest and ener-
gy is shown in those that are here,
The opening song at nine O'Clock
this morning, Guide Me" was led in
a pleasing manner by Mss Adeline
Johnson from Warrington. DR.. Jew
ell read a few verses from ISAIAH and
spoke of the beautiful imagery Their
in. He said, Shall we together look
to the Lord for His blessing today
give us receptive hearts and minds
put us in the attitude of looking
to Thee for help and grant us Thy
strength and Thy wisdom is dealing
with the little ones of Thine
"All Hail the Power" and My
Country It's of Thee were sung
with ali the enthusiasm in the world
Mr.. Toothman then asked that ev-
erybody come closer and announced
that Supt j. A. Jackson of Clarks-
burg would give his address under
protest because he had given the
same talk at a meeting of city teach
ers prior to the opening Of the
schools last fall. He spoke on THE
Earmarks Of good Recitation" and
said that in view of the fact that he
had given it before, the yelling would
have to be done in different place.
He said that the teacher had the
opportunity to set the standard eth
er to MARI or to make the recitation
that she was on trial in a higher
degree than the pupil. He spoke OF
the good air necessary in the school
room and the routine Of getting to
and from class which should be TAX
en- care OF by the teacher. He asked
that her voice be not pitched too high
creating nervous tension and he
spoke of the many distractions in
vented b ythe pupils such as asking
unnecessary questions, going back and
forth to the waste-basket under va
rious excuses such as to sharpen PEN
ellis, etc., etc, and said that she must
see that these distractions are done
away with.
He asked teachers to be fair and
not command all books to be closed,
then opening her own, He suggested
open book classes. He suggested that
assignments of lessons be made at an
appropriate time.
Get motive and aim back at it, !"
he said, TOO many recitations fail
because of poor terminal facilities
they start no place in particular and
arrive at no place, Pupils must be
brought to a point where they feel
that success is their gain-they must
have the spirit of cooperation"
He disapproved of the Sherlock
type Of teacher who asked catch
questions-and he asked that teach
ers correct mistakes without leaving
sting. Most pupils have abilities
beyond those used and it needs an
inspiring teacher to bring them out.
He spoke with great enthusiasm of
the inspiring teacher who had real
10y in her work and who in many
cases had dedicated her life to it
he said the only drawback to the pro.
fession was that many used it as a
waiting station until something bet
ter turned up.
He also said that the most expert
teacher could not make bricks with
out straw and that when a pupil
seemed hopeless that she must en-
deavor to find out what he did know
and what he did not know and try
to find a remedy for it. II at first
you don't succeed, find the reason
why-then you will not need to try,
try, try.
He suggested that teachers demand
expression in the work of their schol-
ars-that they could not read In life
less way each day and ever read 9th
erwise anymore than a piano could
be played in a likeness way and some
day be played with depth of feeling.
He said there was great difference
between information and education
that there must be thoughtful lerning
and thoughtful doing. Pupils must be
given time for self-expression, he con-
tinued-the words-"I know but II
can't tell" and II know but l forgot"
called forth the remark OF the teach
er Of the pupil during a recitation
What a shame-you're the only one
who ever knew and now you have
forgotten"
In conclusion he asked that teach.
ers cease demanding that pupils
think at the particular moment they
desired them to-he said that think
ing was ont case OF spontaneous
combustion. And he suggested that
in all their lessons, the recitation be
closed when they were still eager to
go on.
Mr.. Jackson spoke In a torceful In
- (Continued on page 81 Isl;