The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1871-10-26
THE NORMAL SCHOOL.

afternoon found teachers and soholars al,
busy and tho school in prosperous
though only too crowded-cendition.
In the main Normal room, Prof. Moore va,
hearing a recitation in Philosophy from the
IA class. 1t was discussion, rather
than recitation, on the PRINCIPLES Of heat
ana sound, and was highly interesting.
Inc pupils had been ght to think upon
anu 10 analyze their subjects, and to gather
information concerning the matters under
consideration from other sources than
merely their text books. In an adjoining
room Miss Ravens was engaged with
the "C' class. which was desor,b.
ing and illustrating the principles OF map
drawing; and still later the same teacher
was engaged with another class in History
with special lesson on goverumen,-its
different forms, peculiaritiss, elections,
nc '-'nvolving the current experience
ana information OF the day, making the
study thoroughly practical. Ia auot her
Normal room Miss Walker WAS with the
"D class, in recitation on Arithmetic
This study, too often considered dry Ind
evidently been made so Interesting 10 this
class that they had mastered i. thoroughly
as far rs they had gone. There are fly
three scholars in regular. attendance in the
Normal rooms, number in excess of the
conveniences Of the building.
In the Grammar Department of the Model
School, Miss Barrett has thirty seven pu-
pills, or two more than the room. Was in.
tended to seat. Glasses were beiog heard
in geography and grammar, making very
credltable REGULATIONS. In these rooms, as
IN the Normal, the pupils are taught to
think, rather than to merely commit. Bv in
AUCTION they are led from what they al
ready know to comprehend what is new.
Everything is mastered before 1t is left.
The physical exercises were interesting.
and the singing was good for so many
voices not regularly trained.
In the Primary Depa, tmeut the little
folks told what they know about the map
ped-world, and the youngest cl .ss of al,
read very nicely, spelling many Of the
words by soand. Their teao .er, Miss
Elliott, has already taught them mo.e than
to correctly pronounce the words in SEN
tence-but also to gather the meaning, of
tho sentence and express it by the proper
emphasis. The reading OF these little ones
would have rebuked that Of many grown.
up people. This room has tn, rtv-seven
pupils crowded in 1t In an adjoining room,
one Of the stu Tents from the Normal de-
part ment was hearing class rom the Pri-
mary room, thus learning practically the
science of teaching.
Considering its cramped quarters-iu
which all growth and expansion, save in
tellectual, is impossible-and the difficulty
thereby involved Of dong what is done
satisfactorily, the school is prospecting Fl re-
ly. The teachers are devoted to their
work, aad the pupils are nest, studious
and regular. The peopl. are already en-
Joying the benefits of this institution in the
trained teachers, from the first graduating
class, now engaged in tho public schools
IN this and the adjoining counties. We
wish every man and woman in the State.
and especially those who are opposed to
Normal Schools, would visit one of them,
examine carefully its working. and then
decide, con'cientiousIy, whether the money
given by the State for their support is no.
the best investment it could possibly make.
IT children are worth educating, they are
worth educating to the full ex ent of the
means permitted, ami here comes in the
responsibility of the State in providing
trained teachers. 1t IS literal squander
ing ct The public school fund Obtained from
the grants Of land received from the gener
al government to use it in the payment Of
uneducated, unskilled, incompetent teach
ers, as are only 100 many now in charge
of the children in the pubic schools. This
evil can only be remetiyd by Normal
Schools.
We are indebted to Prot. Moore, Priuci-
pal OF the school, for conrtesies
REL1EF.-Mr. G. S Elliot Of Poynesville,
arrived in town yesterday to obtain present
relief for seven families near there who had