VOL 20. COUNTY INSTlTUPi;. Teachers Institute convened at 'the Opera House in P.loomsburg, on Dec. 14, at a o'clock, as per announcement by the County Supt. The attendance of the teachers was fully up to, if ,,t excecdin;; that of previous years. Ins titute opened with singing, 'conducted l.y Prof. Jerry March, of Norristown. la. Devotional exercises conducted by Rev. Isaac Patterson, of Fust Presbyterian c hurch of Bloomshurg. The teachers were welcomed by Fred T. Ikeler, in an elegant and fin ished address, replete with valuable thoughts and suggestions for the teach ers. Able responses were made bv Prof. I.. P. Sterner, Principal of Bloor.isburg schools, on the part of the teachers, and J. R. Townsend, Esq., of Uioomsburg, representing the directors of llie county. Both ad dresses were well received. Supt. Walton, of Chester county, then addressed the Institute on llie MiDject "Il.-bit " Kvery habit, every mark, every thought remains. When wc think a thought a nervous impulse runs and completes a circuit be fore we form a thought. After the boy makes a great number of lesolu tioiis to make ti.e letter A. ihc ner vous impulses run in the same track. 1 W hin boys go o;'t of tlie school room I for the last time the one thing they 'Will cany with them, and will remain ' witli them permanently, is their bun- ; die of habits. One may be robbed of I his reputation, but no one on rub I you of y our habits. The value of thin I Insti uie to you will depen I upon your habits of thought, habits of working ! before you come here. The teachers, through habit, do a great deal of in effective work, wearing out both body and brain. We should teach abund ance of memory gems and pieces of poetry, this imbeds the habit of mem orizing useful extracts anil directs the mind along the channels of morality and religion. Persons attending church sit down in a certain place, religious thoughts come to your mind when you occupy that place. Our mind runs in channels, it is well it does. Habit h ips us out and habit makes life easy, but if we are not care ful they will lead us the wrong way. Habits die out and new ones take their place. It is our business as teachers to see that a better habit , takes the place of the decaying one, than the old one. Break up only one habit at a time. If you change the di rection of a boy's thought you will probably change the habit. Centre , the mind on the work and many bad habits will be cured, as m writing. Supt. Harman spoke next on "Disci pline." This is a subject that is somewhat hackneyed yet there must be somewhat of interest in it to all teachers. No teacher has reached his ideal Bchool. There is always some part that can be made better. Disci pline don't mean the same to all. But we all have certain ideals towards which wc are pressing. We are will ing to have these ideals modified. One of the best ways to have them modi tied is in visiting schools. Take every opportunity you have to visit every school within your reach. It is worth while to make an effort to get an ideal school, it pays. We are aided in what constitutes true discipline in observing other schools than our own. A teach er's usefulness is curtailed by his lack of good discipline. System is import ant, but there is such a thing as dis ciplining a school to death. Both ex tremes should be avoided. TUESDAY MORNING, Session opened with music. Devo tional exercises conducted by Rev. Mr. Leverett ol the Episcopal church. Supt. Walton addressed the Institute on "Habit." The teacher that reaps the greatest benefits from habit ate those who have good habits them selves. Our children always expect us to be cheerful. Irritableness or cheerfulness on our part is a habit. We delude ourselves when we think we are breaking up a habit, but simply ingralting another one just as bad. Have we a right to exact a promise from a child that he will do better ? The speaker here called for the opin ions of the teachers on this point, from whom several strong arguments were produced both pro and con Mr. Walton said the teachers should do but one thing at a time. Criticise but one tfiing at a tine and follow that up until the habit has been brok en up. The boy that has the strong est habits for evil, and they can be modified and changed to habits of pood, will be the strongest boy in deeds of nehteous. Don t cue trie children Uie idea that their habits are fixed; They are not so fixed as those of older person". The emancipation from habit is what we want to teach the child. Prof. Butts then addressed the Ins titute on "Drawing." He said that drawinrr enters into everv state and condition of life. Drawing is the basis of construction. It is very use ful as a school study. 1 Hawing natu rally divides itself into three divisions, viz., construction, representation and decoration. These must ail be pre sented in the proper leaching of the stibjee t. The sphere should be the first type form of study. Next the cube, then the hemisphere and cylinder. Next comes the square prism. The Prof gave a long interesting talk on the method:) of teaching Prang's system of drawing, which was 'closely listened to by the teacher:;. Supt. Harman resumed the discus sion of "School Discipline." That teacher is to be sympathized with who cannot discipline his school. Tk lust tiling is for the teacher to make the acquaintance of the patrons of the school. Wc ought to first make our suggestions general, and then reprove individuals privately. We should not reprove individual pupils continuously in the presence of the whole school. Pupils who forget themselves during the day should be dealt with privately al'.er the school. There are occasion ally cases that must be settled at once. We cannot judge our powers of dis ci; lining by those of oilier.;. One may ie able o get alon wiihout t coijioi.u iiuiKsument awl another may not. The occasion is very rare when you are justified in whipping a boy be fore the whole school. Whipping should be done privately and when d'.'r.e, should be effectually administer- el. 1 here are help most. We those who need our inu.-.t meet our pupils cheerfully and remedy one fault at a time One may acj-.nre the ability to di icipline. We too often see too much that is going on in the school. Pupils get tired of the everlasting talk ing of the teacher. It breeds con tempt for our authority. Glance over your school occasionally. The teacher must be able to hear a recita tion and look over the school at the same time. Pupils should understand that they cannot be idle without the teacher knowing it. Pupils will re spect the teacher that sees all that is t,oing on. He sure of your ability be fore you attempt a radical change. When you ask anything of your school then require it. Take in considera tion the circumstances such as tht weather, ventilation, &:. Control your vo;ce. I on t let the pupils know that you have lost control. Commend your boys and girls. Send your children home happy. If possi ble, spare, save the bad boy. Reach the heart of the bad boy. Every bad boy can be reached by some one. AITERXOON SESSION. Supt. Walton spoke on the "Imagi nation. Lpon the first view we are prone to think that the imagination is something "that belongs to poets and novelists and that teachers have noth ing to do with it. There are two kinds of imagination, constructive and creative. The creative includes the constructive. The possessor of the latter may have the former developed, 1 he sub-division of constructive imag ination is visualization. That is, the power of seeing the results of the im agination or the ability to see a thing before it is finished. Imagination is fed in three ways. The ocular sense, the auditory sense or ear, and the mo tor sense. Teach children resemb lance first and difference second. Teach things and objects. Take the child out in nature and feed his imagi nation on facts. We must recognize that the boy has an imagination. The boy with an imagination goes out in to the world with an impressable na ture and Lis surroundings photograph themselves upon his soul. If it be properly trained at school it will re spond to every good impression and the youth will be led out into an in visible and enjoyable heaven beyond. Prof. Richardson, of Berwick, spoke next on "Elementary Science." He showed what simple apparatus may be used in teaching science. Element ary science, if properly taught, takes the minds of youths often off the trashy literature so much read by the young of our land. Teachers must be prepared to present the subject and be thorough in all they do. Prof. Richardson took four boys from his school and by a class drill showed the audience how many facts can be taught the young in science and how interesting and attractive the subject maybe made to them. No expen sive apparatus is necessary to perform all the experiments necessary to make the subject easy and bring it within the comprehension. Prof. Becht, of Muncy schools, was the next speaker. His subject was "Historical study." He said it is im possible to lay down a list of maxims and rules which are applicable in all cases. The teacher must iiavej indi viduality, and must throw into his work his personality. The value of historical study is so vast that within the compass of a pupil's school life BLOOMSHUllG, PA., FltlDAY, DKCKMBKR 2.3, he can obtain merely an outline of this subject. We can only suggest and stimulate pupils in this subject. This subject has its value as a means of disciplining the mind, particularly the imagination. It devclopes patriot ism aM brings pupils into contact with the different stages of civilization in the past, awl with the manner. and customs of' past ages. Too much time is too often taken up in the de tails of battles and the intrigues of parties and not enough attention to the subject of civilization. We should not attempt (oo much with young pupils for fear of creating a dis fnwtn (ir Ki cultw'.'f W.. t.'Ki-...l,l deavor to instil into our pupiis a love n,;ti .,.,,1 i... VI 1 Ui VI ltlll.ll Lilt. L'LL (Mil II1F-V will read up on the subject after leav ing school. Supt. Harman addressed the Insti tute on "Attention." Attention is the foundation of any structure you at tempt to build. Teachers attempt to instruct a large class when but one or ii-.o are p:'.)ing attention. But it is tne teachers In everv member of sif.jss to see that th'i class ifives his individual attention. As a rule it is the fault of the teacher if he can't sc ene the attention of hi:; classes. At- tendon is p.:i element of every faculty and not a distinct power of the mind. Nothing is accomplished without voluntary attention. The ability to give attention is the characteristic of a normal mental constitution and of a wc;) balanced mind. It is only the weak mind that is incapab'e of giving close attention. The teacher must consider all sources of distraction and remove them if possible. If they can't be removed we must educate our pupils into removing their minds from the distractions and concentrate them upon their work. We ought to study our pupils individually and know their constitution, and consider their weaknesses and make allowance for them. Interest is of prime im portance, ami if the pupils are inter ested by the teacher their attention will be bestowed for a reasonable time at least. Avoid abstractions with the young. Do not be deceived by exterior eigns. A boy may look at you but his attention may be far away from you. And he may give attention and not be looking at you. Pleasure sustains attention. We should make an effort to combine pleasure with in struction. Take advantag; of a child's curiosity. Pupils love variety. Don't get discouraged, Extreme cases of inattention are very rare and we can be successful. WEDNESDAY MORNING. Supt. Waller addressed the Insti tute on "Examinations underlying the public school system of Pa." He talked on teacher's certificates. There are six certificates provided by the law for teachers. Our lowest certificate is the Provisional one. The provisional certificate was at first intended to be only a temporary arrangement but it has become engrafted on our system. The state has been greatly benefitted through the provisional certificate in that it has enabled young people to test their ability without going to much preparation. This certificate is good tor one year only, and lor the coun'y only in which it is issued. Our state proceeds upon the basis of local con trol and in this the educational law of Penn'a is superior to any other state. It would be wrong to commit the interests of our children entirely to teachers holding provisional certificates. We have a graded system and teach ers are expected to advance and reach that point where yearly examinations will not be required This is the idea of the law and if teachers take advan tage of it they will not be required to undergo endless examinations as is sometimes the objection to our system. They may go through all the grades and finally reach the state certificate, where in the judgment of the law he may teach in any part of the state and is good for life. More than half of the teachers in our state to-day teach on provisional certificates. This is wrong, not as it should be. The state should not issue an unlimited number of provisional certificates to any one individual. No one should be allow ed to teach more than three years under a provisional certificate. If at that time he has not advanced to a higher grade he ought to be required to step down and dut. Supply and demand largely regulate price and when every one is allowed to come in every year and take a provisional cer tificate it deprives the true profession al teacher of the remuneration he is ueserving ot. it is not true that a young lady holding a provisional cer tificate can teach a primary school as well as one holding a diploma from a Mate N ormal bchool. lhe state has provided ample opportunities in her Normal School, and it is only fair that tor her outlay she should demand ad vancement in those having charge of t he schools. The million of pupils at tending our schools have rights to the best education possible and thes rights we ought to respect. Supt. Harman answered the follow ing questions: D you approve of de taining a pupil after school ? Not so far as his experience i'i concerned. Do you detain at recess? No. Do you allow a pupil to interrupt a teach er while a class is on the floor ? No, try to make such arrangements that this will not be necessary. Should a teacher exact a promise from a pupil ? Questionable. In c oncluding his re maiks to the Institute, Supt. Harman said that he felt the importance of going beyond the books. There is too little attention p'.id to gleaning from ihj papers of to d ay. We live in an age of newspapers and these papers are all vicing with each other in size and in their effort to get quantity they forget the quality. Advise the boys and girls how to read the newspaper.-". Advise them what is valuable and should be ignored' Our newspapers arc doing an immense amount of evil by putting into our homes the failures of Uie world. Teach them to discrimi nate. Prof. Welsh of the State Normal School was the next speaker. He was asked his opinion in regard to the posi tion ol the pupil in writing at the desk. If all pupils started aright they would not acquire bad habits, but we get some pupils where habit:, are already formed, and in such cases the best ex ercise is a f'ee hand exercise which loosens all the muscles, and this in connection with this th- finger move ment. In signing names many peop'e try to acquire queer style. This practice should be condemned and counteract ed by the public school teacher. The pen should be held correctly which is indicated by all systems of writing. The left handed writer should be allow ed to write with his left hand. Supt. Walton resumed his talk on "Imagination." We must understand how the imagination of the boy is fed before .ve instruct him. In the ima ginalive studies it is very important that we get the imagination to work to assist ihein to get a correct idea of the subject. The teacher should have a good imagination and form stories in accordance with facts and have their pupils follow them. After the story which stimulates the imagination then question them on the same point. WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. Sessions opened with music, con ducted by Prof. March. The first speaker was Dr. Philips, of the West Chester Normal School. He spoke on "Hints in Teaching Arithmetic." First, find out what the class knows, and does not know. See that the four fund imental rules are first thorough ly taught Addition should receive more attention than it does. Do not teach too many ways of doing the same thing. Do not teach too many con tracted methods of doing things. Don't be afraid of cutting out the non essen tial parts of Arithmetic. For instance, the subject Arbitration if Exchange, whicn has no practical value whatever. Our teaching should prepare our pupils for every -day lite, and our work should be drawn from the methods of doing business by the woi Id around us. As sign a good lesson : point out definite ly what you want , find out what they have done when they come into the recitation room ; train your pupils how to read the problem correctly; put them all to work there is a difference between seeing a thing done and do ing the thing yoursell. Pupils would rather do the work themselves than to be aided too much, provided they are led on in their work properly. Make your teaching very practical. Dr. Waller then addressed the In stitute and the following are a few of the points made : It is accepted as a trujsm that education is a growth. We ought to employ the practical branches to aid in mental growth. Education cannot be employed as a filling process The great question that meets us to day, as teachers, is what do our pupils need to day, rather than what they need in the future. We are to bring about the conditions necessary to pro mote the growth of the mind as a liv ing and growing organism. Educa tion is from within and depends upon the self activity of the 'child. Since education is a growth we cannot meas ure it by rate per cent. If education is a growth the teacher must provide the favorable conditions : good school houses, good apparatus, good ventila tions, ami good surroundings generally. 1 mie is an important condition to growth. Our school terms are too short to bring about the proper devel opment of the child. - We must allow nature's time for the development of the mind. Our school teim is not fixed upon that basis, but upon a law upon our statute books. If we would extend our school term to nine months we would be adding fifty per cent, to our present results, in this respect we are behind most other states around 1891, us. The cities of the State keep their schools open ten m nths. Every child in the Slate should have all the lime required for its fnll development. All are to be citizens and all have an influ ence on our government. Every dis trict may have a nine months' term in the future, from the increased approp riations of the Slate, if they will but say the word. The schools of Penn'a have the opportunities cf a life time this year and they shoul 1 take proper advantage of them. Prof. A E. E. Crouter, principal Penn'a Inst, for the Deaf and Dumb, next gave an interesting talk on how the deaf and dumb are taught. The results of their training w:.s illustrated by a pupil entirely deaf, who could answer any q icstion even from strang ers, guided entirely by the movement of the lips. There are two methods of educating the deaf : by signs and or ally. By either method their educa tion is completed. Supt. Walton ad.lrc:;.; :d the Institute on "Literature. ' Many of out child ren go out of the school without their eyes and ears opened to the great beauties of the world arou nd. They go out With a half starved taste for literature. Let us teach our boys to read something. Cultivate their tastes. If we can in any way elevate their tastes, we arc doing a great thing for our pupils. Fifty per cent, of our edu catien has to do with us when v.e are off duty. Train our pupils so that when they are off duty tliey will know how to behave, so that they will have elevated tastes to cultivate. This is done by training them to read good orose and poetry, such as Whittier, Longfellow, Haw thorn and others of the same class. THURSDAY MORNING. Institute opened with devotional ex ercise conducted by Rev. Heilman, of the Lutheran church. Dr. Phillips then addre-sed the Institute on "Arith metic." He took up the subject of stocks and bonds and discussed the topic in an interesting and practical way. He showed very plainly what is meant by the term stockholders and stocks. How stocks are transferred. Then explained what bonds are and bondholders. Stocks and bonds are bought and sold by persons known as brokers. The brokers associate them selves together in companies known as stock exchanges. The largest associa tions of this kind in this country and perhaps in the world, is located in New York city on Wall street. These as sociations are devided into two classes known as commission brokers and room graders. The brokers, uncertain terms, known as "bull" and "bear," "long"' and ' short,'' "puts" and calls," and "dealing in margins," and "bucket shops." These terms were each taken up and explained to the teachers very fully and in an interesting way. He said that the business done by these different styles of brokers, very often is notning less than pure gambhng. He advised teachers to impress their pupils with the necessity of steering clear of such business as it is wrong and dangerous in many cases. Supt. H alton was the next speaker, subject, "Literature." He protested against the way in which literature is usually taught. Make your pupilsully acquainted with one author before go ing to another. Select some state or country that stands as a literary center and begin there. In studying litera ture there is something more necessary than mere analysis, they must be able to enter into the feeling of the author and have some degree of appreciation of the author's sentiments. Pupils must sit in patience and study an author, if they would understand his meaning. Mrs. Mary II. Hunt, of Boston, ad dressed the Institute. Sixty per cent, of our children never go to any school beyond the primary grade. Whoever will do the best for his country, will, work directly toward those sixty per cent. There is no force working against our government so much as the effect of alcholic drinks. It is one of the great duties of the teachers of to day to see that all pupils are thoroughy educated in these effects, and thus made good citizens. LIST OF TEACHERS OF COLUMBIA CO. HEAVER. Chas. Mensinger, C. M. Blaker, Jas. Piatt, Jesse Fritz, Alex. Lillie, J. S. John, B. V. Sutliff. DENTON. Jennie Sheep, Sadie Calender, Asa Calender, J. Fritz, Ira Brown, Mar garet Elvans, Miss Conley, II. W. Beishline. BERWICK. E. K. Richardson. Elizabeth Mc. Bride, Sue Reay, Maggie Relty, Eva Stiles, Mrs. S. T. Thompson, Lydia Kishner, Elizabeth A. Low, Alice Usher, Elmer E. Garr, C. 1). Cro- baugh, L. G. Bullard, Mrs. Jesse Bull ard. I ULOOM. L. P. Sterner, E. E. Smith, Nora no Or M. Finney, Ella M. Allen, Flora B. Jones, Samuel Pursel, Hattie Rich ardson, Alice Brockway, Louise Rob bii.s, Anna C. Snvder, Eva Rawlings, O. H. Vctter, Ida C. Rinker, Ida Picrnhard, Anna M. Fox, Georgie Pur sel, Stel'a I.owcnberg. IlRIARCREEK. A. S. Fritz, U. S. Clark, Mrs. W; . II. Hartman, M. XV. Kshinka, Kate Buyers, Ella Stackhouse, Lizzie Miller, Gertie Miller, P. G. Shultz. CATAWISSA. J. T. L. Morris, Anna S. Kurtz, Hannah Breece, Alfred I lower, Sarah Gilbert, Dorah Breece, Zua B. Guie, Franc. Keifer, Cora Kimble, Joseph ine Brcnnan, Irene Sears, I). J. Mensch, Martha D. Tewksbury. CI.NTRALlA. 1 W. XV. Heffner, Harriet Cook, Jo anna Purcell, Mary Sweeny, Sarah Gillespie. Laura Heil'ner, Alice Daley, Mary C. Lynch, D. W. Lenahan. CENTRE. Annie E. Millard, Thos Probst, Chas. R. Nagle, John K. Miller, Hat tie Hinkleinan, Annie Kistner, M. R. Keeler, Rolanrius Koeher, Lizzie Fisher. CONVNGHAM. B. F. Kelly, D. Loughlin, Lizzie Kane, May Lavelie, John P. Hannon, Anna Monaghan, F. A. Burke, Bridget Gallagher, E. Flynn, May Grant, May Langdon, May Hughes, May Mc Dowell, Maggie Moran, Anthony Bar rett, B. I. Curran. lTSIilNGCREKK. E. B. Beishline, Frank Creveling, Joseph Hidlay, Samuel A Smith, EUa Andrews, Rosa Blaine. O. Y. 1 less, J. . S. Campbell, Verne Jones, Mrs. Jed. Creveling. FRANKLIN. Clara Teep'e, John G. Mensch, Wm. H. Evans, James Munz. GREENWOOD. Eyer Allen, W. H. Eves, Mary E. Kline, Boyd Trcscott, H, E. lives, Preston Eves, Ida L Jacoby, Rhoda Peterman, Alice A. Laubach, Laura A. Ileacock, Anna Rich, Nora Lyons. HEMLOCK. Maggie Tubbs, Anna Tubbs, Robt. Dent, Wilmcr Girton, Harry McBridc, Raymond Stccker, Lizzie Wright. JACKSON. XV. E. Lutz, Daniel Thomas, Clar ence Butt, Millie Albertson. LOCUST. Kimber Cleaver, Minnie GottschalL, John Small, Hannah Hower, George Pfahler, S. C. Yocum, Anna Kester, . Emma Beaver, Emma Cherrington, C A.. Small, Haine3ost, John P. Walter, DJ. Marks, Daisy Campbell. MADISON. Wm. C. Shultz, Jennie Kitchen, Ward Girton, Maud Miller, W. II. Christian, Ray Shultz, Laura Mc Vicker, Jennie Sterling, Phoebe Eves. MAIN. Myron Geddes, Ellie M. Elliot,. Ellie Hassert, Sallie C. Watson, J. P. Yorks. MIFFLIN. Harry Hess, Carrie Wayne, CoraL. I less, M. Alice Aten, Jessie Brown, S. B. Lutz, Blanche Geddis. MONTOUR. . Lizzie Richart, C. J. Cotner, Cora Holmes, M. M. Gensel. Ml". PLEASANT. Bertha Wright, Lizzie Kline, W. A. Kitchen, Leah Follmer, Margaret. Eves, Frank Kline, Emma Townsend. ORANGE. XV. C. Sharpless, Maggie S. Eves, Robert Bardo, Kate Shoemaker. Rush Creasy, Laura Seybert, C. H. Moore. PINE. Minnie Kitchen, Tillie E. Stiles, Grove Albertson, Daniel Girton,Mame Earl, Maze Turner, Mrs. John Cham berlin, Lillie Leggott. KOARINGCUEEK. Agnes A. Houck, A. XV. Cherring ton, Clarence M. Yocum. SCOTT. J. F. Harkins, Hettie Shellenburg, Sadie Hagenbnch, Ario Campbell, C. M. Terwilliger, Phoebe Shew, A. F. Tc williger. SLT.ARLOAF. Lcnore Harvey, Dora Albertson, L. L. Stedman, Ella M. Mcllenry, Dan iel Fritz, Joseph R. Cole. Emma Har vey, Emma Green, O. M. Hess. Last Monday, 21st, was the shortest day in the year. To our patrons an friends, and everybody else we wish a Merry Christmas. Turkeys are scarce and high. Last Saturday a man sold a wajon lead 0.1 the street at 15 cvnts a r o ir.d, live weight. A can'ata, entitled "Telephoning Santa Clam," will be rendered in the Evangelical Church this Saturday evening at 7 o'clock. All are invited. Thi-ojore Garrison, Supt. NO. Walt Wn.tmn, dying. the age. I po.-t, is V
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