Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-02-12
EDUCATIONAL.
NnrIlal Sfhanis.

In order that the Normal School should reach
its maximum Of excellence and success, the sub
jects required to be taught in the common school,
should first be learned elsewhere The true idea
of the Normal School is % instruct the teacher
in the best method of teaching. Properly, teach
ers should not be taught to read and spell there
They should beprohcient in these branches as
well as in Arithmetic, Grammar and Geography,
and all the studies required to be taught in the
common school, before going to the Normal
School. But since our teachers do not get so
thorough training in these departments at other
schools as is necessary TO make efficient teachers
the Normal School must for the present. and
perhaps in some measure for all time, do the
double duty Of first teaching what to teach
then how to teach it. Pupils instead Of coming
with the tools whose use they are to learn, have
first to stop and make the tools before they can
be taught their use.
The object Of these schools is not simply to in
struct and discipline the mind, but as well. to
give higher ideal of excellence, to develop the
power of Independent Thought and mental ac-
tion-the power Of analyzing and comparing for
ones self qualities which will make teacher
ingenious and suggestive and fruitful in expe-
dients, and give him the faculty Of adapting his
instruction to the wants Of his pupils.
Common observation teaches Us that one nav
A"f0 t4lOituEu hAoNltiBt VI Il SUBJECT, vet lack
the power to teach it, Ii is, however, much
more patent that a man cannot teach what he
does not know. The possession Of the proper
tools and implements does not make me a watch
maker Only when by observation, study and
practice | come to know their use and to acquire
skill in using them, have claims to rank myself
in this class. 1t often happens that the person
with the greatest power Of acquisition has the
least power to impart what he has acquired
Such naturally think what was so easy to them
selves, cannot be difficult toanother. 10 acquire
knowledge, is a mental process quite distinct and
quite iissimillr to the process by which we im-
part it to others
The primary object Of the Normal School is to
develop what We may call the teaching-hculty-
faculty as distinct and independent as any
other. IL is 10 make teachers. To make good
teacher three things at least are essential First,
20 acquire knowledge of the subjects to be taught
Second to acquire the power to arrange and class
ify this knowledge at will, and almost without
yolition. Third, TO become yersei in the science
Of the human nature Of children.
The first may be, and properly should be, ac-
quirel before going to the Normal School. The
second is the legitimate province Of the Normal
School, ami the third also if the school be So or
gained as TO furnish an opportunity for practice
teaching, which seems 20 ne 90 be a very essen
tial element to the full measure Of its success.
iut we are compelled TO take things as we find
them and pupils as they come to lis and it IS q
nmeniah.e fact that most the applicants for
matriculation az the Normal Schools, are sadly
deficient in the most elementary branches. This
was anticipated by the Board Of Education, who
prescribed the course If study to be pursued in
these schools
Il is metimcs made au objection TO these
schools that teachers who have not had the adj
%, s.'N ssh.'-7 olyeH succeed better than
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