The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1868-12-18
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
CLOSE OF The FALL TERN.
Public Examination Of an the Caaase


Wednesday Of this week. At no pre-
vious examination which we have at
tended did there seem to be more uni
forD1Iy good work done, and fewer fail
ures than at the close of this term. The
students gave evidence of a thorough
mastery of the subjects brought under
discussion, and, in addition, a mastery
of the ways and means of making their
knowledge known. Power to talk and
explain clearly seems to be one of the
objects attained by the Normal students.
Ease and correctness in the use of Ian
guage, too often lost sight of in institu-
tons of learning, are here made promi-
nent, and justly so,- since the young men
and women of the Normal School are
soon to go out as teachers in the public
schools of the State. A teacher unable
to use the English language fuently and
correctly is weak before his school where
he ought to be strong, and is, by SO
much, inefficient.
We have not space to enter into de-
tails respecting the work of each class.
Saying, first, that every class, as whole,
acquitted itself creditably under the
searching ordeal of the examination,
we will make mention of the recitation
of the senior class in geology and zool-
ogy, which has been under the care of
Prof. Norton. We especially noted the
quiet self-possession of the members of
the class, the readiness with which they
answered all questions put to them, and
the accuracy of their information. We
understand that this class is to graduate
at the close of the present college year.
They have, therefore, two terms work
more in the school. If they maintain
for the remainder of the year their
present high standard of scholarship
and department, we predict for this
class the highest homo the Institution
has awarded to any of its students.
The advanced algebra class under Miss
Watson, who has been teaching during
the absence of Prof Kellogg, did its
work skillfully and well. The ease with
which the difficult subject of Radicals
was handled by this class was especially
noted by us. Miss Watson graduated
in the class of '67, and has proved by
her work the efficiency of Normal in
struction, and her own tact and judg-
ment as a teacher. We shall dee m that
school fortunate which secures the serv-
ices of this teacher.
The advanced class in reading, under
Mrs. Gorham, fully sustained the good
reputation which the Normal students
have acquired for excellence in this de-
partment of study. Good reading is a
rare and difficult art; but this class so
uniformly substituted clear enunciation
for mumbling, true expression for mo-
notony, strength for weakness, and
grace for awkwardness that we were
both surprised and delighted. Mrs. Cor
hams instruction has evidently been of
the highest quality.
The examination of the Model School
closed on Tuesday. The classes in this
department of the Institution are I'M
der the control of Miss Ellen Plum b.
The exercises here, as elsewhere in the
Normal School, gave evidence of thor
ough and persistent scork on the part of
all concerned. The promptness and ac-
curacy with which the boys and girls re-
cited were truly surprising. No half :
way work has been done in the Model
School the past term. All in all, we are
pleased to put on record our high ap-
probation of all we saw and heard at
the closing examinations of this week.
There were presen t, in addition to the
official Board of Visitors, fair attend
ance of citizens and friends of educa-
ton from abroad, although not so large
a number as at some previous exa min
atoms, owing to the bad condition of
the roads.
The hard work of the examination
was fittingly followed by Students
Sociable and Reunion in the assembly
room on Wednesday evening. The oc-
casion was one of pleasure and ANNA
ton. Many humorous things were said
and sung and done. There Were no
previously prepared exercises, no form
atty, nor restraint save that of propri-
ETY.. A more free and joyous time
among the students we have not known.
We understand that the prospects for
the next term are so good that the Ca
pacity of the new building for accom-
modating students is likely to be put to
the test.