The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-06-22
THE NORMAL SCHOOL.

but the space allotted will not permit
more than mere hint, respecting the
more noticeable features of the school
AS ga word to the wise is sufficient" it
may suggest some new idea to the teach
ers present.
The common saying is, "that the school
house is an index Of the school," and the
Normal School building with its sur
roundings, may be taken as a fair index
of the Normal School. In portion of
the grounds in front Of the building
handsome flower beds are laid out, and
many different varieties of flowers and
plants are here cultivated the students
taking charge Of them during the spring,
summer and fall terms. AS winter APP
proaches she less hardy plants are re-
moved to the assembly room and the diff
ferent recitation rooms, where, almost un
consciously, they create love for Nature,
in the daily occupants Of the said rooms.
On entering the building, ones first
thought is of the immaculate neatness
everywhere apparent. Not spot Of
dirt or dust, which would mar the beauty
of its walls, desks, or floors, can be seen.
Order will be the next thing noticed.
Each of the different departments of this
large school move according to a certain,
uniform system, and harmony through
out the whole, is She result Neatness
and Order! how essential to the success
of school, but how hard to establish in
some schools. And yet, these character
istics of the school, may be noticed in
the actions Of all grades of scholars here
assembled, from the venerable President
down to the youngest child in the Pri
mary Department. This school has not,
however, arrived at such results, without
long and persistent efforts on the part of
the teaChnTs,as the arrival of new Students
each week or month, requires the "drill-
ing process to be renewed "The school
room is the place for study" this is the
rule adopted, therefore, after students
have entered the assembly room, each
morning, all communication with each
other IS suspended, and not allowed ex-
cept by special permission until ten min
utes Of nine o'clock, when rest of five
minutes is allowed At nine o'clock de.
Toti0nal exercises are commenced. Per-
mission for communication is not granted
during the regular session, but rests of
five minutes each, are allowed each hour.
1t is taught that no we'll regulated school
can be maintained, where pupils are per-
nltted to communicate with each other
during the time assigned for study. Ex-
ercises in light gymnastics are worked
in, between the recitation hours; these
exercises consist of a series of arm move
ments, and also other movements, which
tend to produce a circulation of the
blood, and dlspel the languor, usually
felt after severely taxing the brain. This
shows the necessity of some exercises in
scnool, which shall relieve the monotony
of school duties. Among other advan.
tages, here enjoyed, is that of visiting
the Model School or lower departments.
The students have the privilege of testing
their ability to teach, and competent
critic will here point out their mistakes,
which of course, need only to be known,
that they may be corrected.
A few words respecting the Faculty or
corps of teachers here employed, and I
will close. Several different methods of
teaching are employed by the different
teachers, and with success. The students
have an opportunity of noticing each,
and adopting the one they prefer. In
conducting Rotations, the chief object
seems to be, to teach the pupils how to
study and investigate, rather than mere
knowledge of facts; but the latter is by
no means neglected If pupil require
aid it is given, not directly perhaps, but
In such a mapner as to encourage the
pupil to "try again y and it is cheer1a1Zzy
given. Each teacher endeavors to pre-
vent any pupil from being discouraged.
No effort on the teachers part is spared.
Prompt, energetic, loving their work, and
taking an interest in the progress of each
and every pupil, it is no wonder they ac-
complish SO much. Nevertheless, with all
these facilities and aids, no person can be