Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1885-06-12
NORMAL NOTES.

President Blanton returned from
Cape Girardeau this morning where he
has been attending the closing exer-
cises of the Southeast Missouri Nor
NAL. He reports their class examina-
ton was very gratifying to the com.
mit.ee. He favored the school with
few of their sample questions" which
were truly comprehensive in their ma
ture. At noon the Professor explained
the "New course OF Study as it goes
INTO operation for next year. 1t is
somewhat com pllcated, but may be an
improvement upon the form hitherto
in use.
We believe the dividing the year
into only two terms good feature
The lengthening OF the course to four
and one half or five years may also be
a good feature; but the feature of re-
quiring teachers of some years expert
ence to teach for four consecutive
hours day for FIVE months without
any pay, only glory, | fear will not be
satisfactory to the student teacher.
And to assign this work to inexpell-
enced teachers will not be satisfactory
to patrons of the model department; :;
and only keeping them in school tour
hours day will not be sufficient we
fear. Now If the Incidental fund pay
ed by the Model students could be paid
to the Teachers in the model school,
although 1t might be small would give
strength, tone and dignity to that de'
partment.
The dividing of the year into four
terms. as heretofore, while it has many
good points has always tended toward
disorganization, as a farmer would ex-
press it, "too many outside rows" too
many worrying examinatl ons to find
out what we know. II teacher has a
pupil in charge, daily, for two or three
months, and then does not have fair
knowledge of what that pupil knows,
and what he can do and what he is
worth, that teacher has not done his
part by that pupil. He may have a
delicacy IN saying what pupil is
worth, that is quite another matter. a
plain, simple comprehensive course of
study, of two terms OF five months
each should be devised and adhered to
IN future, with as little machinery" as
possible. then thorough teaching in
every class both from a standpoint OF
pupil and teacher and good methods of
presenting subjects will be gathered
incidentally by all who contemplate
teaching.
Among our visitors to day (Friday)
was Prof. R. E. Johnston who has lust
closed successful term ofn1ne months
at Mexico, No., and Miss Cora Baldwin
from Huntsville, Texas; Miss Lulu
Sharp, of Carthage, Mo-; Mr.. VIM
Wait, and others visiting the variou.
rooms in the forenoon and the societies
in the afternoon.
Pres. Blanton was absent Monday
attending the closing exercises of the
Warrensburg Normal.
Prof, Nason's remarks from the
rostrum this morning in reference tc
holding out faithful to the end, were
encouraging, sensible. and to the
point.
The Geology class chartered all the
loose rigs IN town, and spent Saturday
among the Charlton hills for the pur.
pose Of collecting speci mems of past
geological ages, but they are charged
with not even studying the recent
perlod, but only the highest types oil
the last creation. We are promised an
offlclal report and exhibit of specimens
Wednesday.
This cool weather is very opportune
tor the school since the most of those
who are here have been here all the
year and very naturally feel some,
what worried with mental labor.
The societies elected officers last
Friday for the fist term next year. In
the Philomathean w. E. Blanton, Pres
Miss Hannah, Sec.; In the Senior. Mr.
Bradley, Pres; Mr.. Aldridge, Vice
Pres; Miss Greer, Sec.; Miss Wyatt
Treas. In the Zeto. they will elect
next meeting.
Prof. Blanton returned Tuesday
evening from Warrensburg.
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