The Rhode Island Schoolmaster.

VOLUME XVII.

AUGUST, 1871.

T. W. BICKNELL, Editor.

NUMBER VIII.

RHODE ISLAND NORMAL SCHOOL, AT PROVIDENCE, R. I.

BOARD OF INSTRUCTION.

J. C. Greenough, A. M., Principal.

Miss Susan C. Bancroft, and Miss Mary L. Jewett, Assistants.

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Lecturers and Special Instructors.

Prof. George I. Chace, LL. D., Physiology and Moral Science. S. S. Greene, LL. D., Language and English Grammar. J. Lewis Diman, LL. D., English History.

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Hon. George W. Greene, American History.

Prof. B. F. Clarke, Mathematics.

Prof. Charles H. Gates, Modern Language.

Miss Susan C. Bancroft, Vocal Music and Vocal Culture.

Mrs. M. H. Miller, Reading and Elocution.

Able Instructors in Drawing and Penmanship will be secured.

Commissioner of Public Schools, and Secretary of the Board of Trustees.

OPENING OF SCHOOL.

This school will be opened on Wednesday, September 6th, 1871, at which time, appropriate dedicatory exercises will be held.

The object of the school is to enable those who are to teach in the Public Schools of Rhode Island to prepare for their work. The importance of professional training is now recognized by all who appreciate the value of good teaching, and it is hoped that those who intend to teach in our State, will, if possible, avail themselves of the means of preparation now provided by the bounty of the State.

COURSE OF STUDY.

A two years' Course of Study, similar to that found in the best Normal Schools in this country, will be adopted. It is expected that the graduates of our High Schools will be able to finish the course in one year, and those furnishing satisfactory evidence of having honorably completed a course at a High School will be admitted, without examination, to an advanced standing in the school.

The Board of Education have prescribed the following course of study for the State Normal School:

BRANCHES OF STUDIES TO BE PURSUED.

First Term.

1. Arithmetic, oral and written, reviewed.

2. Geometry, begun.

3. Chemistry.

4. Grammar, and Analysis of the English Language.

Second Term.

1. Arithmetic, completed; Algebra, begun.

2. Geometry, completed; Geography and History, begun. 3. Physiology and Hygiene.

4. Grammar and Analysis, completed.

5. Lessons once or twice a week in Botany and Zoology.

Third Term.

1. Algebra, completed; Book-keeping.

2. Geography and History, completed.

3. Natural Philosophy.

4. Rhetoric and English Literature.

5. Lessons once or twice a weeek in Mineralogy and Geology.

1. Astronomy.

THE NORMAL SCHOOL.

Fourth Term.

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2. Mental and Moral Science, including the Principles and art of

Reasoning.

3. Theory and Art of Teaching, including,

(1) Principles and Methods of Instruction.
(2) School Organization and Government.
(3) School Laws of Rhode Island.

4. The Constitution of Rhode Island and the United States.

Drawing will be taught with special reference to its use in the Common Schools and its practical application to industrial pursuits. Vocal Music, with special reference to the best methods of teaching the same.

General exercises will be given daily in Composition, Vocal Culture, Object Lessons, and in Gymnastics.

Latin, Greek, French, German, and other advanced studies, may be pursued, but not to the neglect of the English course.

Those who shall honorably complete the course of study will receive a diploma issued by authority of the State, and signed by the Governor, the Commissioner of Public Schools, and the Principal.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR ADMISSION..

Male applicants for admission to the school must be 17 years of age; female applicants, 16. Candidates for admission will be examined in Reading, Spelling, Penmanship, Arithmetic to Involution, Geography, Grammar, and, after the year 1872, United States History; and for this purpose must present themselves in the Study Hall of the Normal School Building, on the first day of the term, Wednesday, September 6, at 10, a. m.

Applications for admission should be made in person, or by letter, as soon as possible, to the Commissioner of Public Schools, Office No. 87 Westminster street, Providence, R. I. Candidates who apply by letter, should state the following facts:

1. Name in full.

2. Post Office Address.

3. Age.

4. Place of previous education and the studies pursued.

5. If candidate has taught, state number of terms' experience as a teacher.

They shall also furnish recommendations of good intellectual ability and moral character from some responsible person.

TUITION.

Tuition will be free to all pupils who complete the course of study with the intention of teaching in the Public Schools of Rhode Island. Those who do not intend to teach, may enter the school for a full or a partial course at a reasonable fee for tuition.

PECUNIARY AID TO THOSE IN ATTENDANCE.

The mileage appropriation of fifteen hundred dollars will be distributed among those pupils who reside at a distance exceeding five miles from Providence.

Pupils boarding in Providence will be entitled to the same mileage as if they lived at home. The aid furnished to any one pupil

is limited to forty dollars per year. Special attention will be given to the applications of those in indigent circumstances, who intend to complete the course of study in order to teach in the Public Schools of the State, so that the expenses of the education of such pupils may be made as light as possible.

LOCATION OF NORMAL SCHOOL BUILDING.

The Trustees have secured for the Normal School, the edifice on High street formerly used as the house of worship of the High Street Congregational Church. This fine building, situated in a very eligible location, has been entirely remodelled in its internal structure, and will be carefully fitted up so as to furnish an ample and beautiful study hall, recitation rooms, and all necessary accommodations. Additional rooms will be fitted up as occasion shall require.

RAILROAD AND HORSE CAR COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE SCHOOL.

The trains over the several railroads which centre in Providence, will reach the city in season for the opening of the daily sessions, and will leave soon after the close of the school in the afternoon.

THE NORMAL SCHOOL.

253 The school building is within an easy walk of five minutes of the Central Depot on Exchange Place; and the Horse Cars of the several lines connecting with all parts of the city, and with Olneyville, Elmwood, Pawtuxet, and South Providence, either pass along High street, or within a moment's walk of the school. All parts of the City and State are thus, by railroads and horse cars, brought into direct and easy communication with the Normal School.

Railroad officers have offered tickets at reduced rates to those attending the school. These tickets may be obtained by applying to the Principal.

LIBRARY, APPARATUS, AND CABINET.

The Library of the school will be furnished with such works of reference as may be needed, and the philosophical and chemical departments with all necessary apparatus. The use of a valuable cabinet of minerals has already been secured.

TERMS, VACATIONS, AND SESSIONS.

The school year will consist of forty weeks, divided into two terms of twenty weeks each. The Fall and Winter Term will begin Wednesday, September 6, 1871, and close Saturday, January 27, 1872.

The Spring and Summer Term will begin Wednesday, February 6, 1872, and close Saturday, June 28, 1872.

The Spring Term will be preceded by a vacation of one week; the Fall Term will hereafter be preceded by a vacation of nine weeks.

There will be a recess of three days at Thanksgiving, and of one week during the Christmas holidays. There will also be a recess of one week in the middle of the Spring Term.

The school will hold its sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays of each school week, from 9.30, A. M., till 2.30, p. м.

A session of the school will be held on Saturday, in order that teachers and friends of education throughout the State, who desire to acquaint themselves with approved methods of instruction, may be