The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-08-06

ger G. Ray in charge Mrs. Ray is perfect lady and earnest teacher, be- loved by all her pupils. Housewives of Alabama can make cake but few can | make bread. This, woman's highest art, Is put into practice here with l complete equipment.
 A department of Writing, Typewrit- | ing and Shorthand has also just been added Writing is becoming a lost art not enough attention paid to 1t. It will be taught to all who need 1t free of charge.
 l Department of Arts.
 l It was the reporters good fortune to | witness a class at work in manual training The last appropriation made | by the legislature has enabled the school to strengthen this department. | It is one of the most interesting de- l partments in the school.
 l Water colors are used In the fall and | spring for painting scenes and flowers Candy boxes and Christmas cards are painted, as well as valentines. eggs, etc.
 At different times during the year the classes make baskets. bags, mats. hammocks and belts. the material used being raphia, rattan. ropes, shucks, willow and shoe strings Center pieces and doilies are embroidered. Cording. spinning, dyeing and weaving are done in a limited way. Vessels of many shapes and sizes are modelled out of clay. A simple potters wheel and small kiln for firing were made by students. They are taught the possi- bilities of utilizing the best clays found in our country.
 The plan in this work is as follows: The thing to be made. its history, the material, its uses. shapes, designs and colors are studied. Each student de- cides for himself what his shall be, in shape, design and color then draws the shape with the design and puts the color on. He then makes 1t. In weaving. the reel and looms are made The dyes that are used are made from our native plants.
 1 Tn all this work emphasis is put upon learning 1t as teachers. and the pos | sibility of introducing it to some extent into the town and country schools The relation of this work to the school studies, and child's development. phy- sical mental and moral. Is pointed out | Meetings are held in the rural schools near here, to which the par ents and the public generally are in- vited, and a which the Normal pupils teach all who desire to learn, how to make baskets and other articles, use full and ornamental. It is thought that the students can hold these meetings frequently after they begin to teach and, by the interest aroused. do great good in bringing the home and schoo nearer each other.
 Music. ....- s
 Vocal music has been added to tho , curriculum of the normal course, GOV ering the four years course. It is alst taught in the model school, so that th' , EGyiIl nn 5 only know how to sing, but they wl also know how to teach others to sing It Is under the direction of Miss flames l who may be called musical prodigy ! She inspires others with a love for tn l divine art. The time has gone by when it is nee essary to argue the importance o , teaching vocal music in our publi = schools. In singing. the childs ow individuality has full play and h therefore enters upon 1t with the jo : that comes from the removal of re straint. If affords special exercise O the imagination and nobler emotion: while the intelligence Is aso given du play for activity.
 The education of the emotions, thei 2urillcation, their comprehension, Is a
 important as the conquest to be mad fthe intelligence. Lovable subject: placed in poetic form and song. i'll tn affections and keep them orderly. Sing ing carries the child away from mer task work. reCreates him, gives hr such happiness that he forgets his sur roundings and lives in a realm of lov and joy. It rests the body, balance the mind and purifies the soul.
 Aside from its culture value it always a source of inspiration an pleasure in after life. and an infiuenc for good around the family fireslde.
 The school has two new pianos. tn use of which adds inspiration to al work done in this department. Tn education of the feelings, love of har mony. the ability to read notes at sigh and how to teach others to do so, ar the results aimed at
 Daily instruction is given to all tn students of the school free of charge.
 Department of History.
 The Department of History is unde the skilled supervision of Professor W J. Beeson, who is Rp sccurnplishe teacher of years experte.ce Histor Is taught for fou-- years. beginnin with the third grade classes. Patriot ism and honor is part of the study and a love for historical research inculcated in the students breast.
 Characteristics.
 The distinguishing characteristic o the State Normal School Is the profes Isional manner in which all work done The doctor has hls medical col Ilege, the lawyer has his law schoo and the teacher his normal school While 1t is true that all of the work 4 all of the departments is naainteine