River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-08-21
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.

Following is the full text of the
report of the official Visiting Commit
tee to the River Falls State Normal
School, for the school year lSS9-9O:
Hon. j. b. Thdyer, State Snperin-
teRdeRt Of Pubic Instruction.
The committee appointed by you TO
visit the River Falls Normal School
report as follows:
The committee made several visits
to the school during the year, and
invariably found the school in good
working order.
There was an increase in the nnm.
Der of pupils enrolled, and the attend.
ance was good throughout the year.
Neatness, order ard cleanliness per-
yaded throughout The school building
and premises, and great care was taken
to maintain an even temperature and
good ventilation. The air seemed TO
be pure and sweet in all the rooms,
and the thermometers showed almost
invariably, a temperature of 6S' to
zoe +.
The behavior of the pupils was ex-
cellent. They were respectful to their
teachers, quiet, earnest and studious.
This conduct was, no doubt, called out
to great extent by the spirit and
manner of the teachers, which was
characterized by a due consideration
of the pupils rights and feelings, by
patience and kindly helpfuiness and
enthusiastic devotion to tho work of
the school. At the same time the pu-
pills were held To strict accountability
in the performance of their duties.
The committee was impressed with
the high quality of their teaching
power and the almost uniform excel
lence of the instruction.
We would especially commend the
system of observation by the pupil
teachers under the supervisor of prac-
tice.
The supervisor of practice takes an
entire class of normal students into "A
recitation in the Model Department
To observe the method of conducting
the recitation. AZ the close of the
recitation, the class of normal stu
dents, in their own room, under the
supervi sor IF practice, talk over the
recitation just witnessed. The super.
visor calls on pupil To state exactly
what was done in the recitation by the
teacher. the order in which the parts
of the lesson were taken up, how the
subject matter was presented and how
difficulties of comprehension 10y the
children of the Model Glass were met
and removed, and also to state the
reasons of the various steps and pro-
- 4 70 IN
to criticise the statements of the first,
to supply omissions, to correct state
ments, etc.
What the students failed 10 see and
comprehend, the supervisor, by ques-
tions, suggestions and remarks led
them to see and understand. In this
way she trains the students TO be
watchful and thoughtful, TO see the
vital steps taken and processes of the
recitation. and TO understand the phi.
losophy of methods of teaching.
The students themselves, in their
practice teaching, are subjected TO
similar observation and criticism by
the class. Thus observation, theory
and practice are brought into close
relationship, are organically con.
nected.
Your committee beg leave TO make
a few suggestions To the Board OF Re
gents of Normal Schools. In the first
place, drawing does not receive the
attention in this school that its i'm.
portanee demands. The time given
to it is too short. As means OF train
ing and culture, and as an aid in teach
ing in the way of explanation and
illustration, drawing. in the estima-
ton of your comm ttee, occupies a
high place.
That drawing does not receive the
attention that its value demands. Is
not the fault of the teacher of draw
ing. or of the President of the school.
The teacher of drawing is doing the
best she can under existing conditions.
Besides drawing, she teaches history
and music. and the drawing receives
so much of her time and energies as
she can spare from her other work.
Again, all the pupils should receive
a course of physical training. This
should be systematic, and extend
through the four years course.
The demands of physical culture and
drawing can be met only by increasing
the teaching force of the school. The
present teaching force is inadequate to
the present work.
The only unpleasant impression made
on your committee was the high ten
sion, the great nervous strain under
which some of the teachers seemed to
work. The presence of the committee
could not be the only cause; much was
due to overwork. The school is not
adequately supplied with apparatus,
especially physical.
The library is not up to the standard
of Normal School. Many of the lat
est and best works on philosophy,
education, science, history and litera-
ture are wanting. A fitting school for
teachers needs the best tools as well
as the best teachers.
On the possession of the latter, this
school is to be congratulated, and the
public, too, that so much is being done
here to raise the standard of education
in our state.
ALBERT HARDY,
l.. IL. MEAD,
I'll w. REED.