USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > A History of the Courses of Study in the State Normal Schools of Pennsylvania > Part 2
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It is intended to make this department truly a Model School. A limited number of children from eight to fourteen years of age will be received from abroad, to whom the Institution will be made not only a School, but a home. -
PREPARATORY COURSE
The Preparatory Course is designed for older pupils than those who attend the Model School ; but the studies embraced in it, except Vocal Music and Drawing, are essentially the same. Prepara- tion may be made here, as well as in the Model School, for entering the higher courses.
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Normal Course
Students with a fair knowledge of the branches of study, required by law, to be taught in Common Schools, can enter this course and graduate in three years.
The Junior year of this course is intended to be occupied in a careful review of the branches previously studied. Those who do not need this . review can enter at once upon the studies of the Middle year. The studies of the respective years are as follows :
JUNIOR YEAR
FIRST TERM
SECOND TERM
Orthography and
Orthography and
Etymology
Etymology
Reading and Elocution
Reading and Elocution
Writing and Drawing
Writing and Drawing
Geography
Geography
Mental Arithmetic
Mental Arithmetic
Written Arithmetic
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1 Written Arithmetic -
Grammar
Grammar
MIDDLE YEAR
FIRST TERM
SECOND TERM
Reading and Elocution
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Higher Grammar
Drawing
History of the United
States
- Physical Geography Higher Mental Arithme- Physiology tic . Elements of Algebra
Higher Written Arith- mnetic
Book-keeping
Higher Grammar Vocal Music
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Theory of Teaching
Vocal Music
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SENIOR YEAR
FIRST TERM
Algebra Elements of Natural Phi- losophy and Astronomy Rhetoric Geometry (Five Books) · Theory of Teaching.
SECOND TERM Geometry (Completed) Plane Trigonometry Elements of Chemistry or Elements of Mental Philosophy Botany or Zoology Practice of Teaching
Scientific Course
Entering this course with the required prepa- ration, students can graduate in two years. Those who graduate in the Normal Course, can enter the second term of the Junior year. It is the design of this course to prepare teachers for English High Schools. The studies are as follows :
JUNIOR CLASS
1
FIRST TERM
SECOND TERM
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Geometry (Completed) Plane Trigonometry Chemistry Botany or Zoology Rhetoric
Higher Algebra Analytical Trigonome- try (Half Term) Spherical Trigonometry and Surveying (Half
Term) Ancient History English Literature
SENIOR CLASS
FIRST TERM
Conic Sections and Ana- lytical Geometry Modern History or Acoustics and Optics Mental Philosophy Geology
SECOND TERM
Differential and Integral Calculus
Astronomy Moral Philosophy Analytical Mechanics
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Classical Course
This course is designed to prepare teachers for Classical High Schools. To be admitted to the Freshman Class, a student must possess a thorough knowledge of Geography, English Grammar, Arith- metic, Elements of Algebra, History of the United States, Latin and Greek Grammar, Caesar (two books), Virgil (four books of the Æneid), Greek Reader, and two books of the Anabasis.
The following are the studies of the several Classes :
FRESHMAN
FIRST TERM
SECOND TERM
Anabasis
Iliad
Sallust and Ovid
Livy
Higher Algebra
. Geometry (Five Books)
Rhetoric
- Zoology or Botany -
SOPHOMORE
FIRST TERM
Memorabilia
Cicero
Geometry (Completed)
General History
SECOND TERM
Herodotus
Horace
Trigonometry and Sur-
veying Chemistry
JUNIOR
FIRST TERM
Select Plays of Sophocles Juvenal Conic Sections and Ana- lytical Geometry Geology
SECOND TERM
Select Plays of Euripides Tacitus
Differential and Integral Calculus Astronomy
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SENIOR
FIRST TERM
Select Plays of Æschylus A Play of Terence Acoustics and Optics Mental Philosophy
SECOND TERM
A Dialogue of Plato A Play of Plautus Mechanics
Moral Philosophy
Exercises in English, Greek, and Latin Com- position will be given throughout the whole course, and, also, such incidental instruction as is essential to a full understanding, of the branchas studied. Those who prefer it, may select the French and German languages instead of the Greek and Latin of the Junior and Senior years.
In special cases, other equivalent studies may be substituted for some of those mentioned in the regular course ; and ladies, unless they desire it, are not expected to study the higher mathematics.
If found qualified, students may enter an ad- vanced class in either of the courses of study. The Trustees will probably be invested with full power to bestow the usual collegiate honors, together with a professional degree to teachers.
To all except experienced and successful teach- ers, an attendance upon two courses of lectures on Teaching, and Practice in the Model School dur- idg one term, are indispensible to graduation. A Thesis upon some professional subject must in all cases be deposited with the proper authorities be- fore graduating.
The State will furnish Diplomas to those who graduate as teachess ; to others, they will be fur- nished by the Institution at a cost of five dollars each.
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The additional Certificate for the Practice of Teaching, for the granting of which provision is made in the law, will also be furnished by the State.
The preceding course was set forth in the cat- alogue of the Lancaster County Normal School for 1859. This is probably the course outlined by Principal Wickersham and forwarded to the Super- intendent of Public Schools, as stated in the letter found on page 47.
The catalogue of 1861 shows that the name Normal Course was changed to Elementary Course. The only change made in the course, as outlined, was the omission of Mental Philosophy. This cat- alogue shows, for the first time, a division of the students of the school into classes designated A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H, respectively.
The only change in the Elementary Course, as shown in the catalogue of 1862, relates to the limitation of Algebra by the definite statement "Algebra to Progressions." The course remained unchanged in 1863 for reasons obvious to the stu- dent of history.
In the catalogue of 1864 we find the lower courses and Elementary Course as outlined below. The Middle year of the Elementary Course is dropped, and the work extends through two years, designated respectively Junior and Senior. Stu- dents are expected to have a fair knowledge of the branches enumerated before entering upon the work of the Elementary Course.
[Catalogue of Millersville, 1864, J. P. Wickersham, A. M., Principal.] MODEL SCHOOL COURSE The pupils in the Model School are generally
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from eight to fourteen years of age. A limited number can be received from abroad. The teach- ing is mainly done by the Graduating Class of the Normal School, but subject to the constant super- vision of the Superintendent of the Model School. The school has been in operation under this ar- rangement for the past five years, with the most marked success.
The course of instruction comprises the usual branches taught in Common Schools, together with the elements of some of the higher branches. At- tention is given to Object Lessons, Vocal Music, and Drawing.
PREPARATORY COURSE
Many of our students enter the school quite deficient in a knowledge of the most elementary branches, and this fact renders necessary a Prepar- . atory Course of study.
This course embraces Orthography and Ety- inology, Reading and Elocution, Writing and Drawing, Mental and Written Arithmetic, Physical and Political Geography, Grammar and Composi- tion, and Vocal Music.
ELEMENTARY COURSE
Students with a fair knowledge of the branches named in the Preparatory Course can enter this course and graduate in two years. The arrange- ment of studies for the respective years is as fol- lows :
JUNIOR YEAR
The first work for this year is to review thor- oughly and with reference to teaching them the sev-
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eral branches of study required by law to be taught in the Common Schools of Pennsylvania-essen- tially those of the Preparatory Course. This done, the remaining part of the year will be taken up in the studies of Elementary Algebra, Book-keeping, Physiology, and the Theory of Teaching.
SENIOR YEAR
The studies of the Senior Year are the Ele- ments of Rhetoric, Geometry, Elements of Botany or Geology, Elements of Natural Philosophy, His- tory and Constitution of the United States, and the Theory and Practice of Teaching. All students who graduate are required to practice teaching in the Model School for one-half of a school year.
The catalogue of 1865 specifies the extent of the study of each subject by designating text-books to be used. This is true of all the higher courses outlined in the catalogue. Following is the Ele- mentary Course :
[Catalogue of Millersville, 1865, J. P. Wickersham, A. M., Principal.]
ELEMENTARY COURSE
Students with a fair knowledge of the branches of study named in the Preparatory Course can en- ter this course and graduate in two years. The ar- rangement of studies for the respective years is as follows :
JUNIOR YEAR
D Class .- This Class will review thoroughly and with reference to teaching them the several branches of study required by law to be taught in
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the Common Schools of Pennsylvania-especially those of the Preparatory Course. The study of the Theory of Teaching will also be commenced.
C CLASS .- This Class will study Algebra (Ray's Part First), Physiology (Hitchcock), Higher Gram- mar (the analysis and construction of sentences), Book-keeping (Marsh), and the Theory of Teaching.
SENIOR YEAR
B CLASS .- Geometry (Brooks),. Natural Phi- losophy (Wells), Rhetoric (Quackenbos), and the Theory of Teaching.
A CLASS. - Algebra (Ray's Part Second, through Quadratics), Elements of Botany (Gray), History and Constitution of the United States (Los- sing). This Class practice Teaching in the Model School for one-half of a school year.
The catalogue of 1866, Principal J. P. Wick- ersham, A. M. retiring and Edward Brooks, A. M. succeeding, shows few changes in the course. Men- tal Philosophy is restored, and a note on the prin- ciples of the Theory of Teaching is added :-
The Theory of Teaching embraces three things, namely :
I. A knowledge of the Mental and Moral powers, and the Methods of Training them.
II. A knowledge of the Methods of Teaching the different Branches of Study.
III. A knowledge of the Methods of Organ- izing and Managing Public Schools.
A Thesis upon some educational subject was made one of the requirements of the course.
The Scientific Course, as shown on page 54 from the catalogue of 1860, was modified some-
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what in the catalogue of 1861. Teaching during the entire Junior year was added, and Modern His- tory was combined with Ancient History under the title General History. English Literature was transferred to the Senior year, and became optional. Other changes were simply rearrangements of the studies. During 1862 and 1863 this course remained unchanged, and in 1864 was still practically un- changed, although its connection with the Ele- mentary Course became closer. In 1865 Logic was introduced, and in 1865, the Theory of Teach- ing-including Philosophy of Education and His- tory of Education.
SCIENTIFIC COURSE
Having completed the studies of the Ele- mentary Course, or their equivalents, students can enter this course and graduate in two years. The studies are as follows :
JUNIOR CLASS
FIRST TERM .- Trigonometry (Brooks), Sur- veying (Davies), Geology (Dana), Zoology (Agassiz), General History (Willson).
SECOND TERM .- Higher Algebra (Ray), Chem- istry (Wells), General History (Willson), English Literature (Shaw).
SENIOR CLASS
FIRST TERM .- Analytical Geometry (Church), Astronomy (Loomis), English Literature (Shaw), Mental Philosophy (Hickok).
SECOND TERM .- Differential and Integral Cal- culus (Loomis), Analytical Mechanics (Peck) Logic (Thompson), Moral Philosophy (Hickok).
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Theory of Teaching .- The Theory of Teach- ing in this course embraces the Philosophy of Ed- ucation and the History of Education.
The Classical Course, as outlined in full on page 55, remained practically unchanged until 1866, when all reference to the course was reduced to the following note :
This course is designed to prepare teachers for Classical High Schools. The branches studied are the same as those of the Elementary and Sci- entific Courses, together with the usual amount of Latin and Greek reading required in Colleges. To complete it will require two years in addition to the time required for the Scientific Course. Exer- cises in Latin and Greek composition will be given throughout the whole course. Those who prefer it may substitute the French and German languages for an equivalent amount of Latin and Greek read- ing. (See page 93)
Examinations
The examinations in the early days of the Normal School system of Pennsylvania were con- ducted under the provisions of the Act of April 15, 1859. The first regular statement of the general plan of the examinations is found in the catalogue for 1862. The words as therein found are as fol- lows :
EXAMINATIONS
The examinations are conducted by the fac- ulty of the School and by a Board of Examiners. The faculty first examine all candidates for
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graduation, and, if satisfied with their qualifica- tions, they refer them to the Board of Examiners for further examination.
The Board of Examiners consists of such Principals of the State Normal Schools as may be designated by the Superintendent of Common Schools ; and the examinations are to be conducted in the presence of the State Superintendent, and the County Superintendents of the Normal Dis- trict in which the school is located.
The Board of Examiners may ask questions upon all the branches of study included in the sev- eral courses ; but this examination is intended to have particular reference to the Theory of Teach- ing.
The catalogues of 1863, 1864, and 1865 con- tain the same statement of the plan of examina- tions. In that of 1866, the following words are added :
A Thesis upon some educational subject will be required as a part of the examination.
Examinations were held under the Act of April 15, 1859, until the Act of April 3, 1872 was passed, changing somewhat the duties of the Board of Examiners, and setting forth the official com- position of the Board. The Act provides :
That all examinations of the graduating classes at the Normal Schools shall be conducted by a Board of which the State Superintendent or his Deputy shall be President, of two Principals of the Normal Schools, of whom the Principal of the School where students are under examination shall be one, and two County, City, or Borough Super- intendents of the District in which the school is
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located, to be appointed by the State Superintend- ent.
The act of April 12, 1875 determined the num- ber of votes required for graduation.
That no person shall graduate at a State Nor- mal School, or receive a state certificate as a prac- tical teacher, unless by the affirmative vote of four out of five members of the Board of Examiners.
The catalogue of the State Normal School at Indiana, 1875, sets forth the general plan of the ex- aminations under this law (page 69). Modifications of the general plan of examinations were intoduced in 1886, (pages 76 and 78), in 1893 (page 79), and in 1894 (page 85).
In April 1895 the Legislature passed an Act authorizing the increase of the Board of Examiners. The general plan of the examinations under this law is shown on page 96 and 97, and the law is quoted on page 98. The modifications therein set forth were adopted at meetings of the Board of Principals in 1894, 1896, and 1897.
Diplomas and Degrees
The first direct statement in regard to diplo- mas and degrees is found in the Millersville cata- logue for 1861. Following is the text :
DIPLOMAS
A student graduating in the Elementary Course, will receive a diploma, in which will be named the branches he has studied, and by which he will be constituted Bachelor of the Elements ; the Diplomas of those graduating in the Scientific and Classical Courses, will enumerate the distinct- ive branches of these courses, and constitute their
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holders, respectively BACHELORS OF THE SCI- ENCES, and BACHELORS OF THE CLASSICS.
Regular graduates who have continued their studies for two years, who have practiced their pro- fession during two, full, annual terms in the Com- mon Schools of the State, and who have presented to the faculty and Board of Examiners, a certificate of good moral character and skill in the art of teaching from the Board, or Boards of Directors in whose employment they taught, countersigned by the proper County Superintendent, may receive second Diplomas, constituting them MASTERS in the several studies embraced in the courses in which they graduated, and conferring upon them corresponding professional degrees as follows :-
TEACHERS OF ELEMENTARY DIDACTICS.
TEACHERS OF SCIENTIFIC DIDACTICS.
.
TEACHERS OF CLASSICAL DIDACTICS.
The Diplomas, granted in accordance with these conditions, will contain an enumeration of the branches of study in which the holder is found proficient, and confer upon him the professional degree to which the extent of his knowledge may entitle him.
All the diplomas are authorized and furnished by the State, and exempt those who hold them from any further examination by authorities acting under the provisions of our Common School laws.
The following special notice, taken from the catalogue of the Millersville Normal School for 1863, shows that there may be occasions rendering necessary some very sudden and complete changes in the Normal School Course. All honor to the brave sons of Millersville who so nobly rose to
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the needs of the crisis when the high-water mark of the rebellion was reached :-
"The term of School which would have ended on September 4th was suddenly interrupted by the rebel invasion of the State ; and after the approach of the enemy to the Susquehanna, and the burning of the Columbia Bridge, it was found impossible to keep the school together, and the largest number of students ever assembled in the Normal School scattered-some to seek the security of home, and others to aid in driving back the ruthless invaders of our soil.
The Principal of the School raised a Regi- ment, the 47th P. V. M., in which were two Pro- fessors of the Institution, and a large number of its students. The Regiment, having accomplished the work assigned it, was mustered out of service on the 13th of August.
The Normal School will therefore re-open as us- ual on the second Monday in October. (1863)"
Data kindly furnished by Dr. J. R. Flickinger, from a series of catalogues of the Edinboro State Normal School, give the courses of study in that venerable institution. Recognized as a State Nor- mal School in 1861, the institution sets forth in its first catalogue the following courses :
PREPARATORY COURSE
Designed to fit students for entrance upon the Higher Courses.
NORMAL COURSE
Designed for students who have passed the Preparatory Course, and for those who, upon ex- amination, are found to possess a fair knowledge of
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the branches required by law to be taught in the common schools. The course covers three years, and the studies are as follows :
JUNIOR YEAR
Orthography; Etymology; Reading and Elocu- tion; Writing; Drawing; Geography, Political and Physical; Arithmetic, Mental and Written; English . Grammar; Science of Language; and Vocal Music.
MIDDLE YEAR
Reading and Elocution; Drawing of Maps; Ge- ography, Topical and Physical; Higher Arithmetic, Mental and Written; Science of Language; Pencil and Crayon Drawing; Vocal Music; History of the United States; Physiology; Higher Algebra; Book- keeping; and Theory of Teaching.
SENIOR YEAR
Algebra, completed; Geometry; Elements of Natural Philosophy; Grammar and Rhetoric; Ele- ments of Geology; Theory of Teaching; Plane Trigonometry and Surveying; Elements of Chem- istry; Mental Philosophy; Botany or Zoology; Ele- ments of Political Science; and Theory and Prac- tice of Teaching.
An examination of the above course shows that in the Junior year there were no professional studies, and that no Latin was taught in the course. It was intended to prepare teachers for the com- mon schools, and thus corresponded to our present Elementary Course.
A Change in the Normal Course appears in the catalogue of 1865. It is now called the Ele- mentary Course, and extends through two years designated respectively Junior and Senior. Stu- dents are expected to have a fair knowledge of Or- thography, Reading and Elocution, Writing, Draw-
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ing, Mental Arithmetic, Written Arithmetic, Po- litical Geography, Physical Geography, Grammar and Composition, and Vocal Music.
JUNIOR YEAR
A thorough review, with reference to teach- ing them, of the several branches of study required by law to be taught in the Common Schools of Pennsylvania. Also Elementary Algebra, Book- keeping, Physiology, and the Theory of Teaching.
SENIOR YEAR
Elements of Rhetoric; Geometry; Elements of Botany or Geology; Elements of Natural Philoso- phy; History and Constitution of the United States; and Theory and Practice of Teaching, including one-half year in the Model School.
The catalogue of 1868 contains only the Ele- mentary Course extending through two years. The chief difference between it and the present course are the absence of Latin, Physical Culture, and General History and the presence of Solid Geome- try and Ethics.
In this catalogue is found the first reference to State Aid for students. The Legislature of 1867 appropriated $12000 for the education of teachers in Normal Schools during the year beginning June 1, 1868. The conditions on which it was granted were the same as at present, The same Act also provided for the payment of fifty dollars to each graduate.
Additional light as to the character of the courses of study pursued in the Normal Schools of the State is given by the First Catalogue of the Indiana State Normal School for the year 1875. The Elementary Course at that date is given below :
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[Indiana First Catalogue 1875, Edmund B. Fairfield, D. D., LL. D.]
PREPARATORY
· Orthography; Reading and Elocution; Writing; Drawing; Mental Arithmetic; Written Arithmetic; Geography; English Grammar; and Vocal Music.
JUNIOR YEAR
Orthography; Mental Arithmetic; English Grammar; Written Arithmetic; Reading and Elo- cution; Writing; Drawing; Lectures on Anatomy and Physiology; Etymology; History of the United States; Physical Geography; Higher Arithmetic; Elementary Algebra; Vocal Music; Natural Philos- ophy; and English History.
SENIOR YEAR
Algebra, completed; Geometry; Rhetoric; Read- ing and Elocution; School Economy; Physiology; Book-keeping; Chemistry; Science of Government; Constitution of the United States; Botany; General History; Mental Philosophy; Moral Philosophy; Theory of Teaching; and Practice of Teaching.
EXAMINATIONS
The examinations at this time were conducted by a State Board consisting of five members who tested the qualifications of the candidates upon ALL of the branches of the course at the close of the Senior year. Admission to the Senior class was in the hands of the faculty. According to this cat- alogue, special attention was given to the science and art of teaching.
Dr. Edmund B. Fairfield was at that time Principal of the school at Indiana.
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[Indiana Catalogue 1877, David M. Sensenig, M. S. ] ELEMENTARY COURSE
A thorough knowledge of the branches taught in common schools as required by law, including higher Arithmetic and higher Grammar ; also,
GEOGRAPHY .- Physical, as much as is found in Warren's ; and Mathematical, as much as is found in Smith's.
ETYMOLOGY .- As much as in Webb's Etymol- ogy.
GEOMETRY .- Plane Geometry.
ALGEBRA .- As found in the elementary text- books.
BOOK-KEEPING .- Single entry, as found in the ordinary text-books, with the knowledge of the use of checks, notes, drafts, etc.
PHYSIOLOGY .- As found in the large common school text-books.
NATURAL PHILOSOPHY .- As found in the or- dinary text-books, with the use of apparatus.
RHETORIC .- As found in the ordinary text- books.
HISTORY of the UNITED STATES and CON- STITUTION .- As in ordinary text-books.
BOTANY .- As in ordinary text-books.
PENMANSHIP .-- To be able to explain and teach some approved system, the writing-books to be presented to the Board of Examiners.
DRAWING .- As much as two of Bartholomew's drawing-books, with six months' free-hand draw- ing.
VOCAL MUSIC .- Principles as found in ordi- nary text-books, and attendance upon daily exer- cises for at least one-third of a year.
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THEORY OF TEACHING .- This embraces three things, namely :
1. A knowledge ofthe mental and moral powers, and the methods of training them.
2. A knowledge of the methods of teach- ing the different branches of study.
3. A knowledge of the methods of organ- izing and managing public schools.
THE PRACTICE OF TEACHING .- This includes forty-five minutes of daily practice in the Model School for at least one-half of a school year, and two meetings each week for the discussion of the Practice of Teaching.
The THEORY of TEACHING must be com- menced the second half of the junior year, and continued during the entire course.
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