University of Wisconsin Oshkosh - Quiver Yearbook (Oshkosh, WI)

Page 22 text:

The practice teachers arc almost without exception, a body of earnest young men and women who work with the definite purpose of gaining experience and establishing a reputation for character and teaching ability. Many of them succeed admirably, securing the fullest co-operation from their pupils, and honorable mention from the parents of the children. The Model Department is also used as a school of observation, and one comes everywhere upon students with notebook and pencil recording their observations and more or less modest criticisms. The observers have a keen scent for good work, and if found in large numbers at any recitation, it may safely be assumed that the work is habitually well carried on by both teacher and pupils. The children of this department are not remarkable for anything unless it may Ik- their abilitv to recite topically. They have been known to talk logically and continuously for ten and fifteen minutes on a single theme without exhausting what they had to say. Systematic training in fluent expression of thought is begun in the first year with the reproduction of stories that the little ones like to hear and like to tell. In the short space allotted here it would Ik difficult to set forth the varied qualifications, both natural and acquired, which are necessarily possessed by the teachers in this department. They must have adequate knowledge of the subjects taught and of the j edagogy of those subjects. They must have a scientific, sympathetic, and practical knowledge of human nature. They must hold the balance line betweeen the interests of the children ami the interests of the practice teachers, and must enlighten, stimulate and strengthen both. They must Ik kind but forcible: patient with those would but cannot, and nobly discontent with those who can but do not. They must Ik sincere, just, calm, and radiate good cheer. And with the ability to grasp principles and to see large relations, they must possess the thoroughness that descends to details, and the insight that reveals their nature and their tendency. And this is not all. So the Model Department is the home of many busy and happy people, big and little, and with this introduction we recommend it to your further acquaintance. 22

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■ Tl?e ROSE C. SWART. (fiodel Department. THIS department consists of four rooms and comprises nine grades of pupils, the first and second primary and intermediate rooms having two grades each, and the grammar room three grades. Each room is in charge of a principal and critic who divides her time between teaching classes and supervising practice teaching. The department as a whole is under the supervision of the inspector of practice. The model department enrolls about 2.to pupils. Each grade is sectioned, and the pupils are taught in classes of ten or twelve. The number of practice teachers enrolled for the last two quarters of this year was ‘Hi and 84 respectively. The department offers an opportunity to practice, not only in the-common school branches, but in drawing, music, gymnastics, physics, bookkeeping, algebra, geometry, the sciences, and Greek. Homan. English, and French history. The aim in the practice work is to make practical teachers who will adapt their teaching to the needs of their pupils and seek solid educational results. The effort is therefore to establish principles of pedagogy and illustrate them in practice, rather than to follow specified •• methods.

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Editorial Staff. Ruby McNair. Kmtna KacdiOK- W'm. J. Cme. IMmnod Whnlan. Udltor. S. D. Branau. BrnilMW Manager. Cornelia Shair, Am. Rditor. Otto Konalltr Annie Berrtce Mau 1r Ingram. Cba«. Ktrwnn. Aaal. MaaaiEtr. I.otiia Torreyaon.