Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 244, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 October 1912 — RENEWED VIGOR AND ADDED PREPARATION [ARTICLE]

RENEWED VIGOR AND ADDED PREPARATION

Teachers Will Go Back to Schools Better Prepared to Instruct Along Practical Lines. The Thursday afternoon session of the Institute at the M. >E. church was one of interest and novelty. Miss Votaw led the assembly in several songs to demonstrate the difference of imagination involved. There are two things which contribute largely to imagination in the singing of juvenile songs, namely: action and costume. To demonstrate this latter help to imagination concretely, Miss Votaw had previously arranged for several little children to be costumed to represent people from Holland, Greenland, China, Japan, Scotland and Germany. At the appearance of each the song representative of the particular notional music was sung by Miss Votaw. r - Following a short intermission Prof. Betts lectured on the power and use of suggestion. He demonstrated how suggestion is used in all walks of life and showed the superiority of tact over simple bluntness. His application of this for the school room was made in the conclusion in which he showed how the pupils had the power to suggest in the lives of the pupils some good by being the concrete representation of that good. Next Prof. Christie, after passing some of his literature around, held an actual class in seed identification and showed how this can be used in the public schools. Prof. Christie’s heart is in this work and his instruction is at the same time inspirational and yet concrete and practical enough for actual use in the district schools. Rarely does the last day of a county institute hold the attention of all as has the Friday session at the M. E. church. . Miss Votaw in her own charming way gave instruction in the riiethods of introducing part song music into the schools by means of rounds. Prof. Betts, who has made his pleasing personality and kindly help felt throughout the week next resumed his lectures on pedagogy, taking as his topic “The! Assignment.” Prof. Betts showed how this is one of the very important parts of teaching and gave much help relative to its perfection. Prof. Christie next held the attention of his listeners as only a man enthused with his subject can. Hia talk this morning covered, the question of more intelligent seed corn selection through the interest which the public school can and should arouse. Incidental to Prof. Christie’s talk, on corn growing he brought in the economic problem of better feeding. Also he showed how manual training work is to be introduced into the school course.

After further music instruction by Miss Votaw this afternoon Prof. Betts concluded his talks on pedagogy and left with the sincere thanks and best wishes of all the teachers who have been helped and inspired during his visit with Jasper county people. Prof. Christie cooperated this afternoon with Prof. W. D. Palmer in the orchard demonstration at the orchard of Mr. Randle north of the Monon depot. All the teachers go back to work next Monday with reriewed vigor, added preparation and extended visions of school work for this winter’s term. All feel indebted to Supt Lamson, to whose efforts is due the hiring of such a capable faculty. Schools will open again Monday*and continue the work.