Washtenaw Teachers' Association

On Saturday, December 3, was held the fou'i-th of the assoeiation its present organization. The n-presentation from the töwn schools and attendance from the disg', m re fceetimony that the nature of the work te of mutual interest to both village and district teachers : the opportunity of en ha benefit Is, In large part, made available by reasori of the succeesful followiHg of the state system oí gnading for rural schools. Washtenaw no longer folds her hands in the preeence oí the tivo f schools in our Athcns and Qneen City of Amerioa. but, wlth a feil swoop into the atmosphere of experimental knowledge, -:ie is now firmly balanced over a eonnnandimg view wifch 90 Lafced members at her helm. The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a. m., by President Hall. By request, Secretary Walker read the report of last meeting in recapitulation. Vacaneieé in the exeuctïve committee In place ol Professor Blodgett, oí Manchester, and l'roiessor ( h sholm of Salem, were Wied by l'rof. ge, of the Normal, and Miss Jt ssie Doane, of Dextar. In place of Mr. Leland, trea.surer, resigned, Oommispioner ('avanaug-li was c-hosen. The pap?r on "Primary Tearhing" by Miss Jesste Doane, of Dexter, present - ed in an interesting manner, devices by whk-h interest was awaïened and attenti-on igiven by tire littlè ones. Word sttidy from board, sand tabla, kindergarten, songs, telling of stories and the doing of many llttle thinge notkeable by and hielpful to eh'ldren, were made Bpeclal features of helplülness .toward an Interest in their wwrk. I!y varyin.:? work and instilling a desire to add to tJie decoration of tlie room materrally aided in relieving the little ones of an often dreaded monotony. In diBeuBBlon of the paper, the queetion of "what shall we do with beginners," was brooght up and declded by giving tJiem board work, Beat work in word building, ar.d readItng at least f our times daily, together with variied parts of the "gifts" inicrspersed ; although one of our veteran members maintained a present advantagre oi obedience and discipline being tamght through obliging them to keep a-s still as -when he was a (boy. In di&cU'Ssion of single or doublé divis'.on tmder the same teacher, emphati.- preference was giren to the doublé división plun. The paper on "Language Teaching" by Miss Ella Mmrray, of Milan, was introducid by citing many odd and actuarexperienci.s in improper expressions wJvkh wae the restüt of a lac-k of opportunity in hearing correct speech. That accuracy derived from csampte lis more effeitive than a knowledge from boolcs ; that criticism should toe based upon everyday knowledge of eommon -interest and oral expression, that this way wlll be effettive beo'ause assimilated by the pupil. After üstenins to a well-rendered piano solo by Miss McDonald, the m.cetin;j; adjo;iTned until 1:30 p. m. AFTERNQON SESSION. Singing by the Assoiiation. The paper, "Study in Bones," by Miss Nettle Storms, of Oielsea, was not ias dry as it milght appear, for it not only stood uprigüxt and had form butlaid a due stress upon mind qualities of virtue under guise of phrenoioglcal prominences. Ihe subject was preeemted In story iorm oi' alternately Phlyming couplets which fit into a due cadenee oi proportioned moral valué in teaohing. The audieuoe was then favored with a guitar duet by Mr. Bogardus and Mies :I'l:ming of Ypsilanti. A perslsïent lencore lailed. The iquistion box is most a.ppreiated by those pres?nt and is oíten a moet valuebte pert of the meeting. Spaoe permite but brief referente to but few. 1. Monthlv written examir.ations ; to dificretlon of teachers; iinals, :o test p-upils having brillia'nt daily i ecifiai : 2. Xewspapers in Ki-hools, as the Weeks Cuarent by E. O. Taille, Oak Park, Chicago. A majority opinión favored tiheir introdiu-tion. 3. Algebra and Geometry ín 8th grade. Yes, now, but Algebra is the er help to Arithnn i 4. ■Wüispering. "It takes a Jirst dass manager and one of much experito permit whiBperlng." "The '■ sbcool o ermit whisperingbetvpeen dassea anyway." 6. Tartlinfs.j. "Make liret work most interesting." A tectore w,i, bhen given on "The Art oï IIlus;rat:on" by Pro!. George, of the Normal. Tile lecture was introdtued by a tharacier sketch trom Dickens "Oliver Twist," showing that that the tendency of expression in the human race is clothed in visible actkm or compared in metaphor. To illuistrate a use of the latter tacit passages were quoted from the Biblo. Known elementK in illustration should aceompany the thought. General Btatemente should be. fortified by speclöc statements in illustration. That absorption and assimilation are the essential element s of growth and in all illuetrations they should : lst, Hluniine the isubjeet and not reflect on self. 2d, Discourse must not be too elaboTate or effect i lost. 3d, Simple and not complex. A -vote of thanks was extended to Prof. Gteonge anti those -ho assisted with muesie. The associatlon voted to have the exejutive committoe ap]io!ih date of next meeting. The place was decided by the assotlation to be at Ypsilanti. Withln a few weeks, tji membere of the aesoclation may ook o ■ pt'ogramme, nainss of inembeis n aesoziation and date of ïiext ing-. Money on band $7.03. Nmnjev of mcmbera 90.