Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-08-28
NORMAL GLEAN1NGs.


busy utilizing every moment of the last
week of the Normal. The opening exer-
cises yesterday morning consisted or the
usual singing, scripture reading, and
prayer. The animated countenances of the
teachers betoken thatthey are not wearled
with the three weeks work in the institute,
but are invigorated with the review taken
and are more capable than ever to impart
knowledge to Young America"
The class in Constitution under the sup
ervision of Prof. Naylor was busy promul-
eating questions and formulating answers
regarding the entire work of the last week.
The principal points touched upon were
the powers guaranteed to states, the
powers Of congress regarding impeach
ments, the rights of citizens. the organize
ton OF new territory etc. also, the legis-
lature of our own state was considered as
to the number OF members, the apportion-
ment of representatives., the salaries etc.
Nothing was said however, about the
cranky laws which sometimes emanate
from the same-We presume because they
will not bear investigation by the erudite
minds OF our teachers.
Prof. South had his customary lively
recitation in geography. The subjects
touched upon were the ocean beds, ocean
currents, and the animal and vegetable
life Of the different zones. The subjects of
under-cuTrents was brought up, which ex-
planned why iceb-l-s sometimes move
along very rapidly lD - opposite direction
from what appearsd . be the prevailing
current. 1t is also 4 Let that the greatest
depth Of ocean corresponds to the highest
point on the land. Interesting facts were
also related about the gulf stream, oceanic
Dlateaus and submarine valleys. This was
one Of the most interesting lessons of the
entire session and impressed many new
ideas upon the minds of the teachers.
Ii physiology Prof. Crusenberry ad-
yanced many new thoughts concerning the
brain. spinal cords, nerve cells, ETC. The
nervous system was divided into the
cerebro-spinal system, which consists OF
the brain and spinal cord; and the sympa-
thetic system, which consists Of double
row Of ganglia. located on either side Of
the spinal column, made up Of grey
matter connected by network of nerves.
The function Of each system was clearly
explained by the professor and is was all
without a clear and distinct knowledge Of
the nervous system.
Professor Charles's grammar class de-
voted the time to q discussion of the
merits and dement's of the different sys-
tens of diagrams for sentences, now in
vogue. No matter whatsystem is used it
IS necessary 80 write out an explanation of
the same, hence there is no practical bene-
fiji in diagrams, while they can, if made
hobby, be productive OF very reprehen-
sible results.
The school organization class was con-
Quoted by Professor Pence, who explained
the great advantages of a systematic
course Of study for the common schools.
The use of Professor Pences classification
register was explained and Campbell's
attendance register was recommended for
use il the district schools. The teachers
were urged to make use Of the system of
graduation and receiving of diplomas,
which has been adopted IN the county, in
inspiring the larger pupils to make more
earnest efforts in their various studies.
Examination viii be held on Friday and
Saturday OF this week, commencing
promptly at 3 a. N. A great many other
valuable hints and ideas regarding the
work OF the coming year were given by
Professor Pence, and he said that he
would endeavor to get through with the
examination by noon on Saturday II order
to go to the circus in the afternoon.
Professor Naylor then called on the old
war horse il educational work. Mir Nc
Donald, the editor OF the Western School
Journal, who responded in his usual hu-
morous style. He said he would rather be
called a war horse than a professor, be-
cause the latter name is becoming too
common. He further said that teachers
must make the best OF their circumstan-
stances ut the present day and that
they could not expect to better
their condition just yet, until
Kansas legislators receive inspiration from
on high lie said he wished some Of them
were on high now. The illustrious gentle
man closed with a number of anecdotes
from his experience and q good word as
usual for the Western School Journal.