Wichita eagle., 1889-08-17
AT THE COUNTY NoRxAL.

AT THE COUNTY NORMAL
All the teachers were again present on
yesterday morning to derive all the benefit
| from the thorough work Of Prof. Naylor
| and his efficient coadjuters. At roll call it
| is a noticeable fact that the numbers go
| away up in the two hundreds, and all the
teachers have not been heard from yet.
| The customary opening exercises consisted
of scripture reading, prayer and singing.
Sedgwick's teachers have music in their
| souls, which is evinced by the good old
| songs which are made to unanimously
| swell and reverberate through the large
| auditorium of the Lewis academy. By all
means let us have more music In our
schools than We now have, and it can not
help but make our boys and
girls grow up into better and
! nobler men and women. The interest
does not abate but continues to become
more enthusiastic than ever, and every
moment of time is utilized in the most ad-
vantageous way.
Prof. South's class in photography, yes
terday morning, was deserving Of particu-
lar attention. 1t discussed particularly
| onomatopoeian words, and two literary
selections were read by different members
of the class, which contained numerous
| words Of this kind. These selections were
'The Bells'' and the Cataract of Lodore."
In grammar the time was devoted to the
properties of the noun aud pronoun No
trouble was had until the gender of pro-
nouns was reached, when several teachers
thought that personal pronouns were of
common gender unless the antecedent was
named, whereas unless the antecedent is
expressly designated the gender of the
pronoun cannot be determined. This was
nice point and was delicately approached
by Prof Charles, but ere the close of the
recitation it was clearly understood by
every one of the class.
The physiology class was busy with the
various divisions of the Alimentary canal,
The stomach was the principal organ in
vestigated, and it was fully described by
Prof. Crusinberry, in his usual happy
way. The different rows of muscular
fibers was mentioned, also the cardiac
orifce and the pylorus were defined, and
the different steps in digestion were dis
tinctly set forth and explained.
The mental philosophy class considered
the laws of memory. These were divided
into objective and subjective laws. The
objective laws are resemblance, contrast,
contiguity of time and place, and cause
and effect, while the subjective laws relate
to the law Of association, the condition Of
the mind and body, the temperament, at
tention and vividness of feeling, etc. Prof.
Naylor makes all of this practical and
brings it right home to the teacher as TO
how to make use of this in the school room.
In the school organization class, the sub
ject of grading pupils in reading, brought
out the following points, to wit: Consider
the child's preparation of the lesson, his
position. articulation, pronunciation and
general effort. Also, the use and abuse of
marking systems, on department, scholar
ship and examinations were expatiated
upon and thoroughly presented to the
teachers. This last half hour of the session
is of the utmost Importance to both old
and new teachers, and we trust that here
after certain few of the teachers will not
deem it more important to east warm
dinner than to Thoroughly fit themselves
for their important profession.
NOTES.
Prof. Kemp was visitor yesterday.
Mrs. Carter was also present to represent
the Encyclopedia Britannia.
The young man Of gum-chewing pro-
clivities has probably '.joined the trouba-
dour and mound builders" as his festive
jaws no longer keep music to Prot. Nay
lor's voice.
During one the classes yesterday morn
ing three or four Young ladies and genie
man were observed to be intently studying
zoology. The subject was a small white
kitten and cOrSiderjng the interest dis
played, they doubtless have become very
erudite upon that subject
The teachers all seem to appreciate the
purpose of the normal and are rapidly
fitting themselves to accomplish better
and more lasting work in their respective
schools. This is just as it should be, and
we commend and honor them for their
earnest efforts.