London Normal School - Spectrum Yearbook (London, Ontario Canada)

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What You ' ll Need Next Year EVKRYBODY that leaves this dear old school wants to do their Alma Mater proud. Ot course, you do — -you want to have your future pupils love you, the trustees to have confidence in you, the parents to trust and respect you. Then the problem — -How are you going to do this?— presents itself. You ' ll need a Sense ot Humor! What are you going to do when turning quickly from the hoard you observe some tough child elongating his tongue in your direction? What are you going to do when on opening your desk you find a dead bat clinging to the register? What are you going to do when, after repeated reprisals and endless corrections, a thoughtless boy deliberately slams the door? You can ' t ignore it — your pupils will never respect you again. You ' ll have to be stern with them — very stern; but, on the other hand, unless you have a saving Sense ot Humor you ' ll get absolutely crabbed within a tew years. Please take a large supply of Humor along with you next year. You ' ll need an infinite amount ot kindness too! What are you going to do when a little boy refuses to go to the board because he has on the tartan trousers his father wore before him? What are you going to do with the smug child whose father ' s the reeve and she ' s got two Sunday dresses, and she can ' t play with Jane Smith because her mother takes in washing? What are you going to do with the bully who thinks little boys were made to knock down and little girls ' hair is grown to pull? You ' ll have to do something — -so take lots of Kindness with you, you ' ll need it. You ' ll need some wear-ever Will Power! What are you going to do when you haven ' t heard from home for ages and the school seems a dirty, dusty, old hole and you ' re sorry you ever came inside its doors? What are you going to do when Mary Jacobs can ' t remember 11 x 11 = 121, when John Barton thinks and even insists that Toronto is the capital of Canada, when Harry Black always loses his homework (done religiously the night before?!) on the way to school? What are you going to do when over-worked, under-rested, near the breaking point of temper, some pupil arrives late, as per usual, and still more heinous crime, presents the very same excuse you used to use in school? Are you going to drop it all — -let the old temper rant and rave? Or are you going out to work next year with an everlasting, adamantine will power? Yet it ' s rather useless asking you all these questions — -because next year, in your work, you ' ll be trying so hard to put that lesson across that you won ' t think of any of these things. But never mind, fore- warned is fore-armed; have you got all the things you ' ll need for next year? Madaline Roddick The Witch ' s Charm Double, double, toil and trouble, Lesson plans set brain a-bubble; Matter, method, steps and question, Intermixed with apperception. Preparation, presentation, Teach and preach and just vexation; Sit down sick at your oblation, Then: — Model teacher ' s approbation (?) Try again on ' spended sentence, Perhaps at midnight ' s somber silence, In dim light of grim remembrance Melt again these bits of science. Boil it well in psychic lore, Sift in yours and then heaps more, Filter cant ' s, they ' re understood. Then your charm is firm and good. — E. V. Hi:

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Life at N TO begin the day we usually get up. This is possibly the most hated item of the day ' s routine and takes place any time between 7 o ' clock and 8.30 — mostly 8.30. Then comes a brief period of frantic dressing, and a hasty breakfast before our would-be-teacher starts for school eight blocks away at 8.-15. George Goulding would surely be envious if he could see us striving to get there by 8.50. If we are really fortunate we arrive in time to attend Chapel, the service of which consists of: Mr. Prendergast ' s Good Morning Students, reading of the Scriptures, repetition of the Lord ' s prayer and such announcements as are necessary. We eventually march to our classes, ladies first, to the tune of an inspiring march played by one or other of our fair students. The morning session consists of five periods during which: — Mr. Stevenson guides us along the paths of psychology, mingling knowledge with delightful wit- ticisms. Passing on to Mr. Clark we are shown the very best ways to improve the English of the coming generation, and to create a wholesome interest in the great outdoors. Dr. White seeks to straighten the way for all young teachers who otherwise would find school management their greatest problem. Mr. Prender- gast delights in teaching algebra and many an interesting geographical discussion takes place in the principal ' s class room. Mr. McEachren leans toward an over fondness of the Loyal John Simcoe and catchy grammatical constructions. The practice gained balancing ourselves on the high stools in the art room would be of much value were we destined for circus careers. Last but most enjoyable of all are Mr. Hofferd ' s lectures, in the gallery room, on chickens, butterflies, and other interesting subjects. His clever ambiguous statements are a source of much merriment usually at the expense of the ladies. With the final bell throngs of hungry students burst from the college doors to make their way in all haste to relieve the over-laden boarding house table. Spare moments gleaned at noon hour are usually devoted to neglected lesson plans or to such forms of exercise as may be in season. In the afternoon session we like to playgames with Mr. Slatter and earn our Strathcona certificates. Miss Gahan ' s reading of Children ' s Classics inspires more than ordinary interest in the Library Lectures. Mr. Percy delights us by assigning cunning rote songs to be taught before the class. The men parti- cularly enjoy these since the tune, once learned, is the source of much comfort to the young Romeos as they wearily plod their homeward ways, in th ' wee sma ' hours o ' th ' mornin. ' One often wonders why his one and only always lives on the other side of the city. Then Miss Neville brings us up in the way of all al School true bachelors and shows us how to avoid the evils of starvation and soiled dishes. Miss Emery teaches us the way of true artists and great might be the results had many of us not a stronger leaning toward house painting. Mr. Pickles would fain make carpenters of us all had we the necessary intelligence. This is not all. Each Monday the Ministers of the Gospel visit our institution to instruct us in the spiritual guidance of the child. Tuesday we are usually free at 4.30, and make the most of this opportunity to play team games. Wednesday our better half teaches, while we remain at home to look after the school. We usually know- Thursday by a sinking feeling in the stomach and a trembling of the knees. In the afternoon we set out to show the critic teachers what vague teaching qualities we possess. Following our performance the critic takes the stage and we are told in no uncertain terms just how poor we are. It is really a relief when a Normal Master criticises our lessons. Friday the critic teachers perform for our benefit and woe is the student who dares to observe a mistake. At 3 o ' clock is the meeting of the Literary Society at which we have enjoyed many excellent programs of a aried nature. Saturday Is a day of rest? (I guess not! !) Student teachers should study at least eight hours market day says Mr. Stevenson. However there are some students (seconds of course) who study only four hours on Saturday and the remainder of the time is spent in various outdoor diversions. On two occasions this day marked the visit of our friends from Stratford Normal. We are told; Sunday is a day on which to learn your duty. We know some students who consider it an excellent opportunity to wear out shoe leather and chesterfields. Monday ev ening has on several occasions been graced by delightful parties which will not soon be forgotten. Tuesday and Wednesday are days for study but one occasionally meets a wayward Normal Student (not of Form IV of course) far from the path of duty even on Wednesday evening. If we ha-ve an off-night it is Thursday. This evening was the one favored for many interesting basketball games as well as school and theatre parties. Friday is the day on which John delights to lake his Jane to one or other of the local picture houses as a frivolous celebration of the close of another week of lectures. Two visits were made to Stratford Normal School on this unlucky day. In closing we should note that such intelligent citizens as Normal Students practice the motto. Early to bed and early to rise. Particularly the early to bed part. We know one lad who is a few moments too early for the milk man. So do we live through our training course and few of us realize just how much we are enjoying ourselves. In the years to come we will all look back and recall with pleasure that we spent many of the happiest hours of our lives while attending the school where we made many of our greatest friends. W. C. Mildred.

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Social Activities IT is possible that many of us have lost sight of our primary aim in at- tending the L. N. S., and of our responsibilities next year. We are told that the aim of the school is social efficiency; therefore, we, prospective teachers, must shoulder the responsibility of training the future citizens of Canada for social efficiency. Thus the importance ot our social life here, in fitting us tor the future, must at once become evident. In pursuance ot this aim our social activities at the L. N. S. have been on a larger scale than ever before. I am a part of all that I have met might truly be said by each of us respecting our social relationship this year, and we should all be exceedingly grateful to the executives of the Literary Society and to the staff for the efforts put forth on our behalf which have meant so much to us throughout the year. Our first venture in this field was an informal afternoon tea. This was served on the campus on a delightful autumn afternoon soon after our arrival here. Consequently, it served the very necessary purpose of making the students acquainted, and over a friendly cup of tea many new acquaint- anceships were made which have ripened into friendship throughout the year. The student body next met together, this time in sportive attire, on October 27th in honor of the mystic rites of Hallowe ' en. On that evening many were the ghostly figures seen wending their way toward the Normal, for the party took the form ot a masquerade. Within the school the shaded lights cast a mysterious glow over all, while from every corner gleamed the grimming features of the host ot Hallowe ' en. Below, in the dim flickering light, the basement re-echoed to the hollow rattling of the dry skeleton of — ■ — ■ — . With every noise one realized for the first time, perhaps, that one had nerves. The first part of the evening was spent in unmasking; then all assembled in the auditorium tor a short programme, the chief feature of which was a mock trial. At its conclusion everyone repaired to the gymnasium for promenades, and finally the Grand March led by Mr. and Mrs. O ' Brien. Prizes for the two best costumes were awarded to Miss M. Mead and Mr. W. Finlayson. Dainty refreshments were then served and everyone left with the feeling that Normal life was continuously opening up something new and strange. Happy as were all our school functions we must not omit our intertorm parties. These have served a very necessary function, that of linking our forms together. Although they have taken the forms of nut and weiner roasts, sleighing and tobogganning parties, and entertainments in the school, they have all equally served the common purpose of bringing us into our present close relationship with one another. Needless to say these parties were greatly enjoyed by all. Fulfilling a somewhat different function were our form parties. These have brought us into a more close and intimate touch with those with whom we work each day than would otherwise have been possible. Illustrating this, sleighing, tobogganning, theatre and school parties might be mentioned. All were greatly enjoyed and none deserves special mention above the rest, except, perhaps, the discovery of Longwood Inn by Form IV., as an ideal place tor an evening ' s tun. In passing we should not neglect to mention many delightful private parties which have brightened our school life between tests and lesson plans. Doubtless, many of our students have received an excellent training in the management of social functions. Not a few have already shown signs ot considerable natural ability in this line. On the evening of Feb. 23rd we had the honor of entertaining our staff, and our friends ot the model schools. The school was very prettily decorated in red and gold for this occasion. Our guests were first conducted to the auditorium where an interesting programme was given. The special feature of the programme was a short play put on by several of our students with the assistance, as usual, of our able librarian. This was considered an unqualified success, indeed one of the best for several years. Other special features were the selections by our school orchestr a. These were an unlooked for musical treat since few had realized what talent was in our midst. At the conclusion ot the programme everyone repaired to the gymnasium where refreshments were daintily served. These had been prepared in our domestic science classes, and, naturally, had been a source of great interest for some time, the results were not disappointing to our aspirants to domestic tame. Afterwards everyone joined in games and a most enjoyable evening was brought to a close with the singing of Auki Lang Syne. And now comes the climax of our social events. Foremost among the Castles in Spain of the average Normalite stands the AT HOMF, and this year it was an unqualified success. — 8 —