River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-09-15

The Work OF the Normal School.

| cnalf, Uile question assumes IL more
restricted form, for he invariably
asks, ''Why should 1 attend the Nor.
nal in preference to other good
schools p
The object Of attending any school
is to acquire an amount of scholarship,
to so strengthen the character that
the will is brought under control, and
to obtain an insight into the chosen
calling. With this thought in mind,
the students desire is to know, if,
for his work, the instructions of the
normal is in all respects equal, and in
what respect, if any, it is superior to
other high schools.
The high character of the compe-
tent and disinterested parties who
have the appointing of the teachers,
and he requisite qualifications of
those teachers, ought to be sufficient
assurance that the instructors, and
| therefore the instructions, of the nor
NAL cannot be surpassed by any of the
high schools of the State. Neverthe.
less, since a demonstration makes a
result more apparent than statement
of causes, so the work actually done
by the school speaks more eloquently
in it's behalf than the reasons why it
is necessary to trace out the graduates
of our western normal, nor yet to
search beyond the limits Of Pierce
county for a practical test of the i'm
proyement that the last six years has
witnessed in the literary qualifications
of our teachers, to say nothing of
their advance in the theory and art of
teaching. A large share of this prog
ress may be traced directly to the nor
NAL; while another share indirectly
results from the influence of the stu
dents of the school upon the county at
large.
Though the facts learned from the
textbooks are an important consider
alton, yet TIE effect of the school dis
cipline is not less so. As discipline
rian, the normal holds deservedly
high reputation. It's aim is to make
the student strong to will and to do.
Therefore, in the preparation of les
sons, he is taught to depend upon HIM
self and the reference.bo book, and is eX-
pected to work out, unaided, the thing
that he sets out to do.
The moral nature is likewise
strengthened and cultivated by the
school relations. Such an influence is
brought to bear upon the student that
he feels himself to be free moral
agent in the matter of school law, and
draws the line of duty for himself.
AS rule the effect of this is that he
scorns to pursue one line of conduct
IN the presence of the teachers and
another in their absence. And his
aim, both in recitation and deport-
ment, is to be in reality what he ap-
pears to be. Neither does the school
lose sight of the fact that nature has
not literally endowed all with self
possession. The student suffering
from this defect is met by the faculty
with ready sympathy and earnest en-
enlargement, and he feels that he is
not working alone for the self-cOntrol
! he so much desires. The normal lit
erary society and rhetoricals before
the school are special aids in this di-
rection. But the great reason why he
who purposes teaching should attend
the normal is the one that influences
the law student to enter a law school,
or the medical student to patronize a
medical college.
There are very few natural teachers,
says good authority; hence there are
very few who can afford to dispense
with special training for the work,
and certainly none Who may not be
benefited by it.
The practical a0orb and observation
in the model schools familiarize the
student with those methods and sys-
TENS of instruction that are generally
accredited best by the leading educa-
| tors, and tn cir work is continued as a
class exercise wherein various meth.
DDS are considered and brought out,
and the special points of excellence
are dwelt upon.
| Even the teachers of the normal
school proper, whose work is not di.
reetly in the professional line, do not
lose sight of the fact that at some flu.
ture time the class will have to pre-.
sent the same subject, and the ''how''
is here too, made prominent.
The work on school management is
calculated to clear away great many
clouds and stir up new ideas. And Sc
1 it is all through the course, each step
! adds layer in the formation of cor.
rect principles.
! The judgment is cultivated in aught
that relates to school affairs. Study.
ing the lives and requirements of great
| teachers implants a true idea of the
| calling and the belief that teaching
means unceasing and oft repeated
work; and it becomes part of his
being, for long before the diploma Is
presented. its owner realizes the mean
ing Of cline upon line, precept upon
| preeept, here q little and there lit
tie, y and from this knowledge results
patience and perseverance, which are
| the golden keys to success. NORMAL.
| AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY,