The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-03
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL
The Scope of the Institution Will
Be Enlarged.
A MAGNIFICENT BUILDING
There Will Be Seven Departments for
the Next Year - Reorganization
Plans-Prospects for the
Future

Special Correspondence of the Standard.
Dillon, July 1.-The Montana state
normal school, located at Dillon in the
beautiful Beaverhead valley, will close
its second years work on Thursday,
July 6. Dillon is a thriving town, and
its citizens take great pride in the
normal school and it's progress. They
welcome the students to their homes
and strive to make their stay both
pleasant and profitable. Through the
efforts of the Beaverhead delegation
Senator Norris and Representatives
Paul and Metlin, the last legislature
made liberal appropriation to carry
on the work of the school for the next
two years. This will enable the execu-
tive board to enlarge the scope of the
school and to place it on the plane of
the best normal schools of the country.
The state has provided magnificent
building for the use of the school. 1t
is handsome structure, considered by
competent judges to be the best of the
states buildings. 1t was erected at a
cost of $4,000. The building is thor
oughly furnished with the best apnli
N.
les are well equipped and offer every
opportunity for instruction and investi-
cation. The library contains about 3, 900
volumes selected for the special needs
of the school. 1t is the workshop of
me school and every teachar Euts
iorth his efforts to bring the stud, nts
INTO close touch with its treasures. The
aim is to have the students prrome IA
mll1ar with some of the best authors
ana to acquire a taste for the best lit
erature. Every member IF the faculty
seems to realize that "a choice hook
is the life-blood of master spirit and
is anxious that each student may re-
ceive the inspiration, strength and in
fiuence that close contact with such
master spirits may afford. The library
is open to students for 10 hours of each
day and the books may be taken out
FOR limited periods.
The institution has grown from four
departments at its organization two
years ago to seven departments for
the coming year. The professional de-
partment consisting of two lines of
work. theoretical and practical, is re-
garded as the one that represents the
special function of the school, The
theoretical, embracing psychology and
pedagogy, is under the special direction
of President Sanders Here the stu
dent makes careful study of psychol-
ogy as applied to teaching. He be-
DSNcnOlQRlCal
principles upon which the growth and
development of the mind are based, and
is directed into lines of investigation
that will give him more comprehen-
sive grasp of the subject. Here are
discussed the theories of the great edu-
cational reformers. the systems of edu
cation of the past and present, the
methods of teaching and the principles
upon which they are based An at
tempt is made to lead the student into
habits of careful study of the best that
has obtained during any period: to real
lie that teaching to be effective must
be based upon definite principles which
may be understood and applied. The
practical phase of the professional work
embraces observation of actual school
work, practice teaching in the public
schools under skilled guidance, discus
sion and criticism of both observation
and practice in the light of the prin-
ciples determined by psychology and
pedagogy.
The following from the Dillon Exam
finer of late date will afford an idea
of the views of the executive board
concerning this special work
The executive board of the state
normal had a very busy session last
Thursday evening and much important
business was transacted.
Among the matters of general inter
est acted upon by the board was a
plan for the reorganization of the
training department. The work of this
department is perhaps the most i'm
portant feature of good normal school
curriculum 1t is the place where the
theory of teaching is practically APP
piled; where the students receive their
professional training, without which
there can be no sound or practical
normal education. This work is of the
same relative Importance to those in
tending TO fit themselves for teaching
as the laboratory is to the chemist or
hospital and clinic work to the intend
ing medical practitioner. This feature
of normal school work has long since
passed beyond the experimental stage
Its Importance is recognized by every
educator worthy of that name. There
is not to-day state normal school
of recognized standing in this country
which does not possess "a fully equip
ped training department.
1t will perhaps take year or longer
to fully develop all the plans of the
board and faculty regarding the ex-
tension of the training department
work. AS preliminary step toward
that end the board decided to make this
department a coordinate branch of the
state normal. The teacher in charge,
Miss Sadie Rogers, will henceforth be
designated as superintendent of the
training department and professor of
methods. Upon request of Miss Rog-
ers, the Doaru granted her leave of alb
sence for one year, beginning Septem-
Der /. She will during that time act as
superintendent of the training depart
ment of the New Whatcom, Wash,
state normal Steps have already been
taken to secure another competent
training teacher who will also be tenn
porarily in charge of that department
during Miss Rogers absence.
The academic departments are
strong, well equipped with material
necessary for the most effective work
and in charge of specialists. In the
department of economies and history.
the source method of study has been
introduced. DR.. H. H. Swain, who has
charge of this work, is graduate of
the University of Wisconsin. He has
had large experience in teaching and
brings to his work enthusiasm ripe
scholarship and great teaching ability.
A special feature of the course is the
American history. The teachers of the
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