The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1885-08-19
EDUCATIONAL.
Points on Education and Methods of
Teaching From Various Sources.
Tho Distinctive Principles of Normal
school Work.-'rhe Normal Stu
dent,
NORMAL SCHOOLS.

"a normal school ~ an institution
for tho education of teachers" (We6-
Ster.) 1t is not an attachment to a
high school, TO an academy, or to q
college, but an institution in itself,
''ha ing local habitation and a
name" equipped with corps of
teachers, the course of studios, and tho
necessary appliances for tho accom-
plishmcnt of its object Its sole work
is the education of teachers.
"A thing is normal" according to
Webster, "whcn strictly conformcd to
those principles of its constitution
which mark its species" Tried by
this test, the education OF the child and
the teacher is normal when strictly
conlormed TO tho laws Of the physical
and rational nature Of man. An insti-
tuition whose purpose IL 5" educate
teachers according to this standard is
properly called normal school. Its
purpose determines the class of schools
10 which it belongs. Its excellence
depends upon the quality Of its work.
The teacher has tho organization,
the teaching, and training of the
school committed to his hands. Ho
directs and controls tho activities of
the children while they arc forming
habits, and laying tho foundation OF
character. He should be able to train
the Child in tho right use of all his
powers.
The distinctive work OF the normal
school is to educate the teacher ac-
cording to tho normal standard. To
this end the normal student must have
as definite and full knowledge of tho
human body and mind as possible. By
careful study he may learn tho struct-
ure offunctions, and conditions of health
of the human body He may learn
the powers of the mind. the order of
their development the objects upon
which they arc employed, how they
arc called into right cxcrtion, and the
products OF this activity rs they crys-
taliZc into those habits of thinking,
feeling, and willing which constitute
character. BY this study he discovers
the laws of human life and learns what
education Is, us an end, and us
means, and derives tho principles
which guide !hc practice in the normal
education of teachers and children.
This general knowledge of mind pre-
parcs the teacher for that close obscr-
vation by which he may learn the pc
culiarilies of each one of his pupils, so
in the way he should 90
The normal student must make a
careful study Of the nrt OF teaching and
training, that he may know distinctly
what teaching is. what training is, and
the means by which he will sustain the
attention of his class, as dependent up
on the knowledge of the subject; tho
selection Of the proper objects of
thought; tho direction OF the pupils
thinking; the use of the best motives;
leading the pupils to acquire ideas, and
to their correct expression, orally and
in writing; rccapitulation and reviews;
criticism by the class and teacher; daily
preparation by the teacher; and tho
general culture of the teacher
The normal student must mako a
thorough study OF the course of studies
in all It's grades. rs Il means to teach
ing and training; that he mny know
what studies should br included in tho
course. and why these subjects should
be studied; III what order the studies
should come, and the relation which
they hold 10 one another; in each study,
what shall he taught, and why; the
order IN which The parts shall DO con-
sidcrcd; and the method Of teaching
and drilling the class upon all parts of
the subject.
The normal student must thoroughly
examine the subject Of school organi-
ZntiOn. That lac may know what it is
10 orE;,u!Xc Il 'ChoO!; the advantages of
Il .ooi Organization; the preliminary
preparations Tor opening u school; how
to open school; how to classify the
pupils; how to apportion tho time and
"a 1T, In
in relation to order
Tho normal student must carefully
consider tho teachers moral duties.
with reference to tho need of moral
training. tho object Of it. what moral
training requires for tho pupil, for tho
teacher; the principles OF government;
government, = self-control. shall be
secured; the effect of the proper ap-
rangement of tho exercises; tho effect
tho best motives. and how they shall
be used in governing; tho teachers
personal habits, tho teachers spirit,
his love for his work, his Willingness to
sacrifice, his love for his pupils. and his
honesty.
He must study the history Of educa-
attempted and accomplished. He
must study the school laws OF his own
State that ho may know his legal stat
us.
The teacher must have degree of
skill in tho application of these princi-
pies and this knowledge as will enable
him to organize and control his own
school, and to educate his pupils. 1t
10 the distinctive work of the normal
school to secure to its students this
knowledge and skill according to tho
measure Of their ability.
The first distinctive principle OF nor
NAL school work Is that tho normal
student Is to be q teacher. He Is to
look at tho acquisition of knowledge.
the teaching, the training. all the exer-
cises OF tho school, his own spirit, pur-
pose. manners, and conduct from the
standpoint Of the teacher. The acqui-
sition OF knowledge In this spirit Is IS
much part Of professional work as
teaching Is.
The second distinctive principle Is
that tho teacher Is to be educated for
his work His mind is not, only to bo