State Normal Quarterly from Emporia, Kansas • 2

18 THE STATE NORMAL QUARTERLY. 10. These benefits will be permanent. All know the stimulating effect of the Centennial Exposition of 1876 on every branch of industry in our country. There was no occupation or profession which was not benefitted by it.

To it must be attributed in great measure the marvelous activity and growth of the United States during the past sixteen years. We may expect even more from the Columbian Exposition. In proportion to the part we take in it, so shall we reap. In connection with all this, let us not forget the increased interest in the study of history, and particularly in the study of American history which the preparation of this exhibit will indirectly beget. Our magazines have been teeming with fresh and instructive articles on Columbus and his times.

The old story has been made new by many a master hand and this fairest gem in the crown of Columbus now becomes the center of attraction, the object of study of the school boy, the servant, the peasant, and the king. Out of this study of our origin, our development, our institutions, our resources, our responsibilities, must come a more intelligent citizenship, a more disinterested patriotism. President Taylor in the Industrialist for August. PRACTICE TEACHING IN NORMAL SCHOOLS. The following article by Principal Dunton, of the Boston City Normal School in the Educational Review, describes so fully the ideal model school and its relation to the normal school that we take pleasure in presenting it to our readers.

It is just what we arc trying to realize here A practice school is to abnormal school what a hospital is to a medical school. It is a place for verifying and illustrating principles. It is an opportunity to reduce theory to practice. The theoretical side of education is never fully understood till it is supplemented by the practical side. Beginners in education, like beginners everywhere else, need to see the truth at first in the concrete.

A principle of teaching or of discipline has a new meaning when seen in its application. Then, too, the novice never knows what children reallv are till he sees live children in action. The sympathy of numbers, the contagion of intellectual activity, the power of example, the force of public opinion, these and similar factors in a working school must be learned in the school itself. The reciprocal influence of speech and action upon the pupil and teacher are manifested only in the school. Power and skill in teaching and governing are developed by teaching and governing.

Hence, the need of opportunity to practice. Of course, practice can follow the theoretical instruction of the normal school, but the development of skill is more rapid if practice is done under the direction of experts. The acquisition of skill is less expensive to the children if skill is gained in the practice school. Here blunders are detected at once by the practice teachers, and they may be at once avoided. When the young teacher begins work on his own account, he has no eyes but his own with which to observe himself, and so it happens that many of his worst faults remain irndctectcd and uncorrected for years.

As a result of nineteen years' experience in a normal school and training school attached, I have arrived at the following conclusions as to the proper organization of a practice department under the conditions by which I am surrounded 1. The arrangement of classes in the practice school should be the same as it is for the grammar and primary schools of the city where it is located; and, if there arc public kindergartens in the city, the practice school should include at least one kindergarten class. This will give the normal students an opportunity to observe all grades of elementary instruction. 2. The course of study should be the same as in the other elementary schools of the city.

Some liberty of variation for the sake of experiments should be allowed in the practice schools but, in the main, the work should be such as the normal pupils will be required to do when they come to have schools of their own. 3. The teaching force in the practice school should be the same as in other schools of corres- ponding grades. There should be a principal, who is held responsible for the discipline and advancement of the pupils, and at least as many assistants as would be found in other schools of similar grades. The teaching should not be left to the normal pupils exclusively.

There must be much teaching by novices, so the children should be protected and guided by a full corps of the best teachers. 4. The principal of a normal school should have the direction of the observation and practice of the normal pupils, as well as the methods of instruction employed in the practice schools. This is essential to securing harmony of theory and practice in training normal students. Of course, the principal of the practice school must be in harmony with the head of the normal school in all important pointe but whenever the two disagree, the principal of the normal school must direct the work of the practice school.

5. The teachers in the normal school should perform such service in the practice school as the principal of the normal school may direct. It is important that teachers of theory be required, at times, to reduce their theory to practice. Then, too, the best way of directing methods is often by example. 6.

The practice school, thus organized, should be used at first as a school of observation. Whenever the methods of teaching any subject, reading for example, are under consideration in the normal school, the normal pupils be taken to the practice school for a practical demonstration of what they are studying. While this work of observation is going on the normal pupils should be required to teach their class-mates enough to give them some idea of the orderly presentation of subjects, and of the proper sequence of questions in teaching. 7. Later on, the normal students should be required to take charge of the classes in the practice school.

This, for a long time, should be done under the immediate direction, supervision and criticism of the teachers of the practice schools. The practice teachers should be responsible for the proper planning and preparation of lessons to be given by the normal students, as well as for the general order of the classes. They should freely criticise, advise and encourage. Practice work by the normal pupils should be so arranged that only one normal student will be in a room at a time; and should remain for several successive weeks. Thus no more normal pupils can be trained in the practice school at the same time than there are classes in the practice schools.

THE SOCIETIES. The Oratorical Association. This society is moving along nicely. under the new constitution. The speakers for the preliminary contest have been chosen from among the strongest students.

The contests this year promise to be up to the standard of former years, if not above. Under the new plan, the bitter factional contests for the offices of the association, so prominent in former years, will not occur, and harmony and good-will will prevail. The local contest in oration and declamation will occur before the holidays, thus giving the successful contestant more time to prepare for the State contest than under the old plan. The Normal has its eye on first place this year. a.

The Philomathian. This society begins the second year with increased strength. Though a great many of its strongest members are in other fields at work, it still has every chance for future success. The prize won last May decorates our walls. The hall, though not as good as it might be, brings sweet remembrances to all those who were here last year.

Every Philomathian wears a smile which neither the greatness of the Belles-Lettres, or the past successes of the Literati, nor the future hopes of the Lyceum, can turn to a frown. Mrs. Simons is performing the duties of president to the satisfaction of all. Miss Clara Morrison attends to the duties of secretary in an admirable manner. Membership committees are busily engaged selecting and soliciting the best material for the society.

We are acting on the suggestion of our motto: "Sic Iter ad We are anxious to have our friends visit in No. 28, promising to entertain you as best we can. w. The Lyceum. September, to the student, happy September, brought many familiar faces back to us.

All was joyous, as old friends clasped hands. All caught the enthusiasm as each cane in touch with his fellow, thinking of battles fought and victories won, and as the pealing notes from Mr. Fowler were heard welcoming us home and bespeaking for us a bright future, every aspiration of the loyal Lyceum heart formulated into determination to make the society still carry the banner in coming conflicts. Many of our last year's standard-bearers were not seen; they have gone from us to inhabit higher realms of aetivity. We miss you, brothers and sisters, but may these feelings only stimulate us to fit ourselves for the places you leave.

We send our greetings to you; may you prosper. New students are here and are making solid the Lyceum phalanx. Volunteers, as well as tried generals, are affiliating themselves with us, hence the prospects for making ours the stubborn truths of culture and attainment are most flattering. The Stout gavel, as it came down September 2, ushered in a most interesting program. Those taking part thus far and deserving special mention in declamation are Misses Johnson, Baxter and McEl Ilinney, the Lyceum trio of '92; in oration, Miss May Campbell; in essay, Misses Stuckey, Kirk, DeTurk and Mr.

Stout; in debate, Messrs. Baxter, Newman, Stevens and Miss Hayes; in music, Misses Taylor, Clarke, Shobe, Dickson and Lee; also, Mr. C. M. Williams, the entertaining cornetist, is numbered with us.

The captains for the term, Misses Morris and Thomas and Messrs. Courtney and Mills, are meeting with most excellent co-operation in their unsparing efforts to make each Friday evening in the oriental hall pleasant and instructive. o. t. m.

Alpha Senate. With Prof. J. II. Hill for chief executive, the members of the Alpha Senate are anticipating much in the way of law-making the present year.

Prof. Wilkinson has kindly arranged the time for the teachers' meeting so that members of the senior class may attend our sessions. Those who visit us are impressed with the legislative ability and skill in extemporaneous debate manifested by our members. The young men of the Normal who fail to take advantage of the excellent drill afforded in this society make a mistake. It imparts a knowledge of the government, the political issues and problems of the day, and lays the foundation for true and intelligent citizenship.

The lack of information of this kind makes politicians and fosters demagogues; it cherishes party ism and degrades patriotism. An intelligent vote is the demand of the day. The young men who realize this most are the most active members of the Alpha Senate society. j. M.

N. Belles-Lettres. This year promises to be a prosperous one for the Belles-Lettres society. Thus far our programs have been excellent, and our audiences all that could be desired. Many excellent workers have been added to our numbers this year.

We welcome back among us Mr. Leatherwood and Miss Lutes, who were very active members in former years. We have arranged for a series of joint debates with the other societies. Messrs. Shive-ly and Mays will meet the Literati; Messrs.

Stanley and Nation the Lyceum, and Messrs. Leatherwood and Cool the Philomathian. Our male quartette has been organized again, and these gentlemen, together with the other excellent musicians among our members, will sustain the reputation of the Belles-Lettres society for music. Geo. Kittell, a charter member, and a most faithful worker in former years, visited us in September and sang several solos, much to the delight of all present.

W. II. Thome, who had been in St. Joseph, since last June, returned to the Normal the last of September, and his genial smile adds its cheering influence to our society. The Literati.

The first meeting of the society this year, on the evening of the second of September, was not only in itself a complete success, but showed a thorough determination on the part of every member to secure the crown of success for every effort the society makes this year. The opening address was made by Mr. W. C. Coleman, class '92, whom the society gladly welcomes to its hall again.

Addresses of welcome were given by Messrs. F. P. Jolly and Bevan Binford. The latter, who was absent last year, is again on hand for a year's society work.

Miss Jennie Whitbeck, class '90, favored the society with her presence, and read one of her pleasing selections. The debate on the pension question showed the talent and ability of the Literati debaters. The program was further composed of interesting and instructive essays and declamations, and, also, enjoyable piano and vocal solos. President Taylor acted as critic. He was much pleased with the society's first effort of the year, and thought the prospects for a successful year for the society were very bright.

All the meetings thus far testify to the fact that the society enters the work with, if anything, greater energy and zeal.