National Republican., 1875-06-11
DISTRICT NORMAL SCHOOL.
The Annual Examination Ysstsrday-1om
mencement Exercises Tonight.

nencement Exercises Tonight
The last quarterly examination Of the Normal
class was held yesterday morning in the class
room at the Franklin building. The room was
tsstefully decorated with flowers and pictures.
On the blackboard about the room were beauti-
full specimens of blackboard drawing, which Sd-
ded much to the pleasing appearance ofthe room.
The twenty young ladies who formed the class
occupied their usual seats and the rows OF bright,
intelligent faces argued we'll for the coming sup
ply Of lady teachers in our public schools. THESE
young ladies are all of them graduates OF the
Grammar schools OF this city. There were quite
a number of visitors. OTthose connected with the
gH6lc schools were Trustees Dyer ns' as2yfi 1Gy9
AtLee, Rhees, and Jos. Nj. Wilson, PrOt J. L.
Thompson; Mrs. NJ. L. Martin and Miss Emma
Reed, principals Of GraEmar schools Among
other visitors were Francisco Gonzalez, Errazu-
riZ, Of the Chilian Commission; Sigts mund Ro-
doIphe Blum, GttGche Of the Argentine Legation,
ana Prof. J. W. Chekering, Of the Dear Mute
College.
TIE EXAMINATIONS
we're conducted by Superintendent Wilson and
Miss IuciIla L. Smith, the teacher Of the class.
hour, WAS in history. Miss Smith gave out topics
rapidly TO each Of the twenty, who went to the
beard and wrote out comprehensive outline Of
the period assigned to them. In this way COM
plete resume of our colonial and much OF our
later history was placed on the boards In a very
shUrt time. The studeRts thus not only demon
tory, but gave an admirable manner Of present.
ing the study to class in their future professional
practice. Some were called upon to explain their
topics and the manner Of presenting history to
their pupils, which they did in very lucid and
satisfactory manner.
erRture. Cards containing topics were distributed
among the students. The topics covered all the
prominent points in the history OF English litera
ture. Those of the young ladies who were called
upon to recite did so readily, giving complete
account of the period author written upon their
OF authors to an extent that left no doubt Of the
thOrOug hness OF their instruction in this depart
ment. A half hour was then devoted to
PRACTICAL TEACHING
tine halfoIthe class went down stairs to the room
OF Primary class No. /, Miss Virgins teacher,
and the other half went to Miss Shields room,
occupied by Primary class No. 1. Miss Julia
Murray Of the Normal class, took charge Of the
children in Miss Wiggins' room for few minutes,
presenting an object lesson, while those OF the
class who accompanied her took notes OF criticism
on her method Of management and presentation.
In Mise Shields room, Miss Aunic Wilson, OF the
Normal class, assumed the charge Of the school
and drilled the children in msntal arithmetic eN;
ercises while the half Of the Normal class watched
her with critical eyes. Amer the class had again
assembled in their room, several Of the young
ladies were chilled upon 70 give their notes OF
criticism.
The next e. animation was in botany. The stu
dents, each having topic assigned to her, drew
upon the board illustrations representing the
various scientific divisions of leaves. This afforded
also good test OF tine scholars ability in draw
ing. Alter the drawings had been satisfactorily
explained, specimens of the common white clover
were laid upon all the desks of the young ladies,
who. as they we're called upon, answered ques-
tiops concerning the botanical classification and
the formation OF the plant, asked by Professor
Ghickerng, who was invited to briefly examine
the class. No one would think that so many long
words could cling to such little herb.
Tie botoniciI albums or herb lrlums, contain.
ing flowers and plants collected, aualyZed and
pressed by the members OF the class, and com
plete technical description of each, were handed
around among the visitors and elected admlra-
tion on ecOuUt CT their ncatneSs and the excel
lepce Il the work done by the young ladies in
their May day rambles.
GEOGRAPHY
was the next subject. The students received
Their topics and eXIa;ned them in order. The sub
iects were all applied TO the map OF the city.
Several of the students in turn took charge of a
model class formed of the Normal students, and
clearly demonstrated their clpability of assum-
ing the responsibilities Of a teacher. The exam
ination was concluded with an exhibition of map
drawing. basing the outline of the map upon
geometrIcal desrgls.
The exercises Of the day were concluded by Sc
lections of vocal music. under the direction of
Prof Daniels, and rendered by the class in an
excellent manner.
class, alluding to the work that they mad gone
over, and then introduced Prof Chickerng, who
expressed the grathcation he had experienced in
listening to them, and suggested as one thing 10
be remembered in teaching that they would have
to begin at the very bottom taking 1t for granted
that their pupils knew nothing, in order TO make
complete success. They would be surprised, he
said 10 learn how little even the brightest scholar
knew.
The class was then dismissed and the visitors
departed. The examinations, which were not SO |
much to display the students knowledge OF text |
books as their ability to take charge of classes,
reflected credit upon The teachers of the class
a demonstration Of the tborOughnesS of the in |
structiCn which has been given to the class. The
mode OF conducting the ex animation was ad- |
mirable, as each scholar was kept ut work all tue
time, and ten times much ground was gone |
over as in the Qld-ashiQned oral examinations. |
The eommencemept exercises Of the class, which |
is the second annual commence nent OF the Wash |
ingtoD Normal school, will take place this even |
ing at Lincoln hall.
COMMENCEMENT PROGRAMME. !
The following is the programme that has been |
arranged for the evening, Douchs band furnish |
ing the music:
Grand march. dedicated to class OF 10: prayer,
by Rt. Rev. Bishop Pinkney; introductory ad- |
dress, by Col. Geo. W. Dyer; essay on "R sck |
Greek, by Julia l.. Murray; "HOme Influences"
by Evelyn II. Van Doren: The School Girl OF |
"a, by Annie Laura McIntire; valeGictOry, by |
the class; conIerr!ng Of certificates by Governor
DennisCn: address to the graduates, and |
"Sball School Acquaintance be Forgot" and |
AUD Lang Syne," by the class
The graduating class is as follows: Sarah Bart |
lett, Mary W. Blanchard, Ssllie S. Chtlds, Mary
X. GsTst. Olivia Hambly, Isabella V. Helmsen. |
Florence Hinton, Oatharine +. johnson, Mary |
L. Nchenny, Theresa A. McGill, Annie L. Nc |
lntire, Nellie N. Mack, May Moran, Julia l,
Murray. Kate Reyburn, Helene ]. Schtm melen-
mig. Cora Stutzman. Evelyn NJ. Van DOren, An
ME A. Wilson. Katie A. Wilson.
This shOOl is and should be one Of the prdes Of
the city. The exercises will dOubtessly attract
n large gathering OF the friends OF the young
ladies and Of education.
"EnT pTTTEN pUT HAHcTrnu