Lewis Clark State College - Yearbook (Lewiston, ID)

Page 22 text:

. ., . ., . J .. . . .,........-f. .- Z Rural Eepartment Step into one of the nve Rural training centers of the Lewiston State Normal, hear a conversation of the following type, and dare to say education consists in the formal mastery of partial payments: Say john, I was talking to teacher, and we decided it is late enough to start the hot bed. That means we'll have to decide where we want to make it, and will have to read that new government bulletin tonight. Sure Mike, but us big boys have got troubles of our own. If we ever expect to get that tennis court done we'll have to figure out a way to make a drag. Xvallis said he'd furnish a horse, and we found out how to lay out the court in Arithmetic class this morning. Considering the remarkably high per centef rural population our state boasts, the prospective teachers who spend eight or nine weeks in the rural centers, in contract with such live red-blooded youngsters, should, and do view it, as a. golden opportunity. This department has developed under the effectual direction of Mr. Wooster, and Miss Ayer, and the fact that the commendable results obtained, and the methods employed, have attracted nation-wide notice is due to their unwearied efforts. Both see the rural school situation from a constructive standpoint. Unlike so many, who like the proverbial mule, stir up so much dust they fail to see the grass, these two workers see the problems always from a constructive standpoint, and it is with highly justifiable regret, that the news of their withdrawal from the work in the Normal, has been receiv-ed in the educational world. In relation to this rural work, Mr. Osborn, head of the Agricultural department, has much to offer in the way of new and efficient farming methods. Also the courses he offers in Floriculture have proved to be sources of great profit and enjoyment.

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. I . .1-YM L'.r.,v-sa..-E ax- .. 0 .-s..-,L-,s...,. iBrimarp Eepartment A place of interest is the primary department. The first four grades are represented here as well as the Normal students who are special- izing in Primary education. The rooms are always full of little chil- rlren, happy and eager in their school work, and so it is no wonder that the students enjoy working in this department. From nine o'clock in the morning until three in the afternoon, snatches of songs and games come through the windows and evidences of the work may be seen on every hand from the sand table to the little tots with books under their arms. Miss St. John is head of the Primary department, and Miss Hong and Miss McDonald, who is a graduate of L. S- N., are supervisors in the rooms. The Normal students feel glad that such an effective way of observing children in school and of getting practical teaching with them is offered.

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Rural Qlenters i One of the things of which the Lewiston Normal school may be justly proud, is the splendid 'opportunity offered for actual rural training for teachers. This system has been carefully worked out and fostered by both Mr. VVooster and President lllack. Mr. Wooster as head of the Rural department has devoted much thought and effort toward making this phase of Normal work a really practical proposi- tion. At the present time we have five rural training centers, super- vised by rural school specialists and taught by student teachers who go out quarterly. The school nearest here is the Hatwai school, about three and one half miles across and up the Clearwater river. Miss Elizabeth Mc- Donald is the supervisor. The school house is set somewhat back from the road and nestles among the hills. There is only one room about eighteen by thirty feet- ln the back of the room is the oil stove upon which the hot lunches are cooked. There are between fifteen and twenty pupils, each grade being represented. The student teachers board at Mr. Stranahan's about a mile from the school house. Other rural centers are at Gurney, Sweetwater and Upper and Lower Tammany. The supervisors of these schools are respectively: Mrs. Dodge, Miss Wiseman, Miss Minger and Miss Cleveland.