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| Ref. Grip's Historical Souvenir of Cortland. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, April 12, 1901.
TEACHERS' INSTITUTE
Excellent Work Being Done and Strong Impressions Made.
The teachers' institute at Homer closed this afternoon. The following is an outline of the proceedings since our last report:
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
The first period Wednesday morning Mrs. Friedman gave to the primary division an interesting talk on "Foundations in Arithmetic." She called attention to the excellent results obtained from the Speer system of number work in the Chicago schools and urged the teachers to use more concrete work during the first year of school. She maintained that pupils have not been given enough work in the comparison of magnitudes and suggested that, in connection with the number lessons, drill be given on the correct use of the following terms: large small, wide narrow, thick thin, deep shallow. This would lay a foundation for linear, square and cubic measure. Several practical suggestions were given for the use of the foot rule in number work.
During the second period, before the primary division, Mrs. Friedman discussed in her able manner the important theme, "Forming Habits of Right Conduct." The following are a few of the thoughts presented. Implicit and willing obedience in the home and at school is a prime requisite. So far as possible, the children should be led, to want to do the things which it is necessary for them to do; but if occasion requires it, compulsion should be used. Pupils respect a just and firm teacher. In order to help the children to form right habits, a teacher must know much of child nature, must be able to perceive the motives behind acts. Knowledge alone can not save a man from sin; hence the necessity of a careful systematic training of the will. Self control is one of the greatest lessons the school can teach.
The third period Wednesday morning, the primary division listened to Miss Whitcomb's presentation of the subject, "Drawing in the Rural Schools." Her work was well arranged, explicit and suggestive. She briefly outlined the work for the first three grades in color, botanical drawing and form study.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
Between 1 and 2 o'clock of the noon recess, Miss Whitcomb gave instructions in drawing to teachers desiring it in preparation for the coming examination.
The last period Wednesday afternoon was occupied by Supt. Kennedy in a discussion of "Individual Instruction" as used in the Batavia schools. He emphasized the fact that individual instruction can not take the place of class work, but should supplement it. He stated the conditions under which it was introduced into the Batavia schools, explained its practical working, and the results obtained. The following were among the benefits cited. Individual work eliminates the stupid element by causing it to cease to exist; a class is leveled up, not down. Pupils are able to accomplish their work within school hours and show an increasing interest in their studies; and last but not least, the teacher's work is lightened.
PROF. PARKER ON "BOOKS AND READING."
Prof. F. R. Parker of the Cortland Normal school gave a helpful talk upon the subject "Books and Reading" before the advanced division of the institute Wednesday morning. Among other things he said: Teachers do not need advice as to what to read, but rather a lessening of the strain under which they work so that there may be some freshness of mind and surplus of energy to devote to self-culture. Culture demands restraint in reading; we read too much, but not enough of the right sort. Even when reading for mere amusement we should not read inferior works; we should be careful not to allow our literary tastes to degenerate. Novels are the best form of relaxation, but poetry may also be included. We should acquire early in life a familiarity with the best poetry, so that even in tired moments we may be able to con over the master-pieces with little effort. We should give our time sparingly to the newspaper and magazine, because so much of the information conveyed is so fragmentary as to leave no impression. But we should keep ourselves informed as to what the world is doing and thinking. This can be done with small expenditure of time if we make a careful selection.
Many people endeavor to read all the new books, but neglect the masterpieces. Culture does not come in this way. We should read the books that have the sanction of time, we should get acquainted with the ideas of other centuries, if we would have the broader, saner view of life that belongs to the man of true culture. We probably over estimate the greatness of the nineteenth century.
A detailed account was given of the great books with which everyone should be familiar—as Shakespeare's plays, the noble lyrics of the Psalms, Bacon's Essays, much of the work of Milton, Bunyan, Gray, Addison, Keats. Now that so much attention is given to nature study we should be familiar with Wordsworth, the poet who understood nature so well. Reference was made to Emerson, Plato and Browning, and the reasons for the obscurity of the latter were discussed.
THURSDAY'S SESSIONS.
On Thursday, the teachers who wished to take examinations were allowed to take them at Homer academy instead of going to McGraw.
The institute was especially favored on Thursday by the presence of the supervisor of institutes, Isaac H. Stout, A. M., who gave three addresses during the day which were listened to with a great deal of interest and were full of practical suggestions for the teachers. Supervisor Stout extended to the teachers the best wishes of State Superintendent Skinner who began his third term of office on the same day as that on which the institute began. He spoke of the prizes to be given by Mr. Wadsworth of Geneseo to the two district schools whose grounds had been kept in the best condition.
In speaking upon the topic of "Ethical Training," Mr. Stout called attention to the march of public opinion and to the fact that the teacher must appreciate this, if he would be successful. No man's efforts can be higher than his ideals. Ideals are gained through direct teaching and example. Teach pupils to discriminate between the pure and the impure, the false and the true. Learn to classify people according to the balance of the good and bad in the character. Gen. Grant is remembered by his faults which connect him with humanity and by his virtues which make him noble. Teach the child to discriminate against faults committed, and not against people. Our training is general and not special, so the teacher should teach certain general ideals which will make a man manly and self-supporting whatever his profession. Inspire the girls with ideals of purity, tenderness, gentleness and sympathy.
The teacher should be an absolutely impartial judge as to the power of the pupil and at the same time he should be in closest sympathy with him.
Dr. Albro of Fredonia was heartily welcomed by the teachers of the institute and his addresses were of their usual high character, giving much inspiration for higher ideals and for broader views on the part of the teacher.
Mr. Kennedy of Batavia was present again on Thursday and gave many helpful suggestions citing examples of methods that have proved successful in his own schools.
THE LECTURES.
The lecture given by Prof. Tuthill on Tuesday evening was well attended and of very great interest. The lecture was upon a trip taken by Prof. Tuthill through the western part of the United States and was illustrated by very fine views, many of which were colored.
The lecture given by Hon. Chas. E. Fitch on Wednesday evening, subject, "Orations and Oratory" was scholarly and well received.
THOSE IN ATTENDANCE.
The following is a list of the teachers in attendance:
Apulia—Harris Brooks, Myrtle Brooks.
Berwyn—M. A. McGuire.
Binghamton—Katharine Humphrey.
Blodgett Mills—Veroqua Smith, Elizabeth Kinney, Alphia Potter, Flora Reynolds, Mertie Thayer.
Cincinnatus—Mrs. Eula Davis, Jennie Crum.
Cuyler—T. D. Fairbanks, Wm. Gleason, Mrs. R. M. Burdick, Mabel Hoyer.
Cortland—Albert Mahan, Geo. Munson, Earle Price, Howard Woodward, Jessie Barnes, Gertrude Birdlebough, Katharine Byrnes, Mrs. Mabel Brown, Edna Gridley, Nora Hennessy, Effie Hallock, Edith Colledge, Margaret Connell, Mary Dowd, Frances Davern, Marie Davern, Mary Edwards, Ida Ellsworth, Mary Erway, Bertha Kinney, Maude Alvord, Elizabeth Kelley, Lillian Lang, Bessie Morgan, Rachel McEvoy, Anna Meldrum, Margaret Nix, Mrs. N. E. Nottingham, Nora Phelps, Jennie Ryan, Bertha Reed, Maggie Rice, Bessie Showls, Mrs. Eva Scarff, Stella Sears, Mabel Tennant, Margaret Shandon.
Dryden—Minerva Tripp, Millo Goodrich.
DeRuyter—Alfred Fairbanks, Elizabeth Burroughs, Zella Gardiner, Sara Gardiner, Mabel Schillinger, Lettie L. Allen.
East Freetown—Eva Caldwell, Edith Humphries.
East Virgil—Jessie Jackson.
Fabius—John Shea, Herman Crandall, Anna Chase, Jennie Rowley.
Freetown—Leon Tarbell.
German—Geo. Palmer.
Homer—Wm. Coon, Lewis Tuthill, Delphine Bates, Bertha Butler, L. J. Butler, Sophie Carty, Fannie Clark, Nina Coon, Mabel Fuller, Mary Gilbert, Mary Daniels, Florence Johnson, Margaret Lansing, Florence Nixon, Adda Northrup, Hattie Stout, Alice Watson, Jennie Wood, Cora Carpenter, Maude Whitney.
Harford Mills—Harriet Pollard, Myra Wells.
Harford—Gertrude Baird, Mrs. B. L. Barnes.
Hunt's Corners—Cora Roe.
Jamesville—Mabel Green.
Killawog—Lima Rivedan.
Lisle—Iva Lewis.
Little York—Eleanor Wright.
Lafayette—Clara Jones.
Marathon—Ernest Conrad, Earl Conrad, Bessie Barry, Ida Bonney, Mary Burns, Ella Halloran, L. Grace Jones, Minnie Jones, Margaret Killela, Myrtle Lyon, Helen Page, Grace Pulford, Julia Potts, Louise Wilson, Margaret Walsh, Mattie Allen.
McGraw—Floyd Atkins, Calvin Place, Harriet Gates, Harriet Davis, Eleanor Shields, Mrs. Arley Tanghe, Claribel Warren.
McLean—Frank Trapp, Mrs. A. D. Weeks.
North Pitcher—Matie Button, Bertha Dickinson.
Preble—James Pierce, Grace Currie, Grace DuBois, Mary Murphy, Daisy Wilbur.
Pitcher—Edith Harvey.
Richford—Ina Hull.
Spafford —Howard Bacon, Hattie Landphier.
Solon—Gertrude Kelley.
South Cuyler—Bertha Phillips.
Skaneateles—Emma Kingston.
Smithville Flats—Cushing Hoag.
Syracuse—Mary Long, Agnes Sheedy, Belle Sheedy.
Sidney—Chas. Wheeler.
Scott—Hattie Butts, Genevieve Babcock.
Texas Valley—Mrs. S. M. Briggs, Carrie Briggs, Emma Maricle.
Tula—Bertha Churchill.
Tully—Arthur Wells, Jennie Currie, Nettie Currie, Clara Cummings, Sara Cummings, Grace Willis, Jennie Wells.
Truxton—Eudorus C. Kenney, Arthur Kelley, J. O. Lansing, Katharine Hanneen, Mary Cooney, Gertrude MacDiarmid, M. E. McAuliffe, Mary Wallace.
Union Valley—Idora Smith.
Virgil—Fred Boyce, Edith Spencer.
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