The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-08-08
THE NORMAL INSTITUTE.

Judging from the copies on the board
the penmanship class is doing excellent
work. In teaching this branch the teach
ers were advised to devote four-fifths of
the allotted time to movement exercises
and the remainder to some special copy.
Mere analysis of letters by pupils has lit
! tie value.
The class in geography discussed the
motions of the earth and the value OF the
globe in class work While apparatus is
very desirable much can be taught from
natural observations. For instance, the
cause of day and night; the sun rising IN
different places in summer and winter;
| different length of days; different positions
of the sun at noon shown by marking the
shadow on the school room floor.
In the physiology class chart was pre-
sented to view showing the appearance of
miscellaneous pieces of anatomy The
topic under consideration was the descrlp-
ton and functions of the respiratory or
CANS
The natural science philosophers dis
cussed the expansibility, weight and
pressure of air. Some easy experiments
were described, which may be useful IN
class work.
The class in history continued the study
of the presidential administrations and
discussed the cause and effect of such his
torical facts and events as the Missouri
compromise, Monroe doctrine, nulhhca-
ton and sub-treasury bill.
The c grammar class learned how to
teach prepositional phrases The instruc-
ton was made practical by diagrams and
analysis
The lesson in school organization and
management was of vital Importance, the
topic being, "What Ought Teachers to
Know and Care About Children" The
principal points noted are: l. The teacher
ought to know the Importance of his
work, since he builds character, and builds
for eternity. 2. He ought to have a cor
rect conception of the term, educator. 3.
He ought to have a knowledge of how best
to train the mind. 4. He ought to know
something of the home influence of the
child. ). He should understand child
nature.
The c class in arithmetic did some
practical work in mental analysis. This
is a class Of work very much needed In the
schools by both teachers and pupils, and
the teachers should regard each lesson of
the kind as a model to be used in their
schools the coming year.
The reading class discussed methods of
calling a class and having recitation in
primary reading. Attention to details goes
far toward making a success in teaching
and inexperienced teachers especially
should not disregard the little things
The value and Importance of diacritical
workings was the theme under discussion
in the photography class. This is one of
the largest and most attentive classes, not
withstanding it recites at the hungriest
hour of the day.
There is a movement on foot among
some of the members of the institute to
organize a debating society.
Let US whisper that while the instruct
ors preach the excellent doctrine of
promptness and punctuality they should
not neglect to practice the same, and
thereby refrain from discommoding their
brother instructors by holding classes
few minutes too long.
1t is seldom, if ever, that teachers are
permitted to give ear to such an instruc-
tive lecture as that rendered by DR.. j. 5.
Foot yesterday afternoon, in the chaple
of the High school building. Notwith-
standing the lecture had not long been
announced, and the warm weather, the
room was crowded, the audience being
eager to hear what might be said on the
subject of cells.
The doctor made quite lengthy intro
duction, but one which was intensely in
teresting and which led directly to the
point under consideration. He spoke of
the chaotic condition of all elements pre-
vious to the formation of the earth or
other planets, how life first appeared by
the union Eof the constituent elements in
life, and how all finite matter is ruled by
God, the infinite-the essence-the first
principle of the world.
Further in the lecture he discussed the
differenc kinds of cells-their size, shape,
etc, and gave as the essential
attributes of every cell-neutrition,
motion, growth and reproduction. The
tissues of the body were given
their due apportionment of time.
The doctor made his lecture more i'm
pressive by illustrating the different kinds
of cells, by charts or drawings from his
own hand. He had no doubt spent much
time in making his microscopic investiga-
tions and in making pictures" of that he
saw.
The teachers of the institute ought to
feel very grateful to Dr. Foot for his
valuable contribution. What teachers
need to do now, is to put
into practice what they have |
heard, and, where it is possible. |
make the work objective instead of alb |
stract. as was done by the lecturer
DIR. Foot gave the lecture free of charge. |
This fact goes TO show that he is willing !
and trying TO do something for humanity. |
1t was not work which was beneficial to /
him directly, but to mankind. lie works /
upon the ethical principle that what is !
good for, anu beneficial to. mankind is /
good for. and beneficial to, self, and vice /
versa o, that we might have more such |
whole souled men as DR.. Foot!
At the close of the lecture unanimous /
rote of thanks was rendered the doctor.
AS the given lecture was so interesting |
md instructive, the teachers will look |
Onward with great anticipation to the
ecture to be given next week by DR.. c. +. /
NcAdams on the subject: THE Minute
Anatomy OF the Alimentary Canal" Hear
lim. You teachers especially can not
afford to miss such lectures.