of study and practice. This work is in no way the same as that of the four years' advanced course in Bridgewater. One end proposed in this extra year is a broader study of those subjects in the regular course of two years, which, for lack of time, must be passed with something of haste. But this is not all; perhaps it may be said that it is not the main thing. It is true that there is a great and growing need of this extra study, but there is another need also, which must be emphasized. In speaking before the Worcester County teachers of his twenty-five years' experience in the normal school, Principal Russell said: "I have often been tempted to ask for two additions to the normal faculty. One I would have visit, during their preparatory course, those who were to enter the normal school. The time of the other should be used in helping graduates in the early days of their teaching, giving them sympathy and encouragement until such time as they were able to stand upon their teaching feet."

To give, in connection with the study already mentioned, just that help, encouragement, sympathy and inspiration which a beginner in the work of teaching so much needs, is the full purpose of this advanced course. At this point two things must be considered. First, the financial condition of most of those who attend our normal schools is not such that they can well give a third year of time and expense to the work, even if facilities for training could be found. Therefore for that part of the time devoted to training, these pupils should receive pay. There are other reasons for this, which need not be urged here. Second, the expense to the State for this work should be as small as possible and still secure the best results.

How to do this third-year work-in itself of the greatest importance in the best way and at the least expense was the problem. The first year of experience with it the supervision was entrusted wholly to one of the normal teachers; but, as this took most of her time, it was thought that some of this expense might be saved and still good results secured. If this was possible, it was certainly desirable. Having this in mind, an arrangement was made with the school committees of Leominster and Lunenburg whereby certain of the graduates were elected as teachers at a fair salary. The schools so

selected were near enough to the normal school, so that, by a division of the work, the necessary supervision could be given by the normal teachers themselves, in addition to their regular teaching. In most of these cases the graduates have been visited twice a week; they have been given suggestion and encouragement and such direct help as they seemed to need. The results have been most satisfactory, and the work which these young teachers are doing demonstrates the utility of this plan.

In Fitchburg, a somewhat different arrangement seemed best. As there were not enough of the pupil teachers this year for all the rooms at Day Street, two of the graduates were taken for that work, in place of teachers from outside. Of course these are under the care of the regular supervisors. A few others have been placed as masters' assistants in the grammar schools of the city. A part of their salary is paid by the city and a part comes from the money received for the practice school. In return, the master in each school is to give these teachers most of the supervision, but a general oversight is had by the normal teachers. In this case the expense is small and the results most satisfactory. On Saturday these teachers are present at the normal school, and take such work as they are able to carry, and either before or after their term of teaching they are expected to spend six months in study, as above indicated. It is not simply that the plan lessens very much the chance for failure, but far more that, by the help and inspiration thus given, these teachers will do better and more effective work ever after. It is essential that this help and criticism be made sympathetic, suggestive and inspiring. When it is so, as we believe that it has been the past year at Fitchburg, the good accomplished is too evident to need an argument. The only regret is that so few of those who would be glad to take this course can be accommodated. Eleven in all is the number for the past year.

NEW MODEL SCHOOL BUILDING.

In the last report, attention was called to the fact that there was need of a new building on the normal school grounds for the use of the model schools. By the joint action of the

Legislature and the city of Fitchburg, this building has been provided for. At the March meeting of the Board it was voted that the city of Fitchburg be requested to provide plans for this new building. At the meeting in May the plans so prepared were adopted by the Board. Some modifications of the original draft had to be made in order to reduce the expense, but the building is now in process of erection substantially as then planned. The bids for the heating and plumbing are not yet received, and for this reason it is impossible to say whether or not, under the great advance in the price of all kinds of building material, the work can be completed within the appropriation.

LECTURES.

During the year the following lectures have been given at the normal school. The attendance has often been such as to tax to the utmost the capacity of the main hall. No other money expended by the State in connection with its normal schools pays a better return, so far as we can judge.

Supt. I. Freeman Hall, Unity of School Work.

Rev. George R. Hewitt,

Mr. Henry T. Bailey,

Prof. John M. Tyler,

Personal Recollections of a Rebel Prison.

The Education of Mankind and of the

Child in the Light of the Doctrine of Evolution (twelve lectures): —

Introduction: The Teacher and the State.

The Theory of Evolution.

The Beginnings of Structure.

Worms and their Descendants.

Vertebrates: Backbone and Brain.

The Survival of the Fittest.

The Sequence of Function.

The Sequence of Motives.

Inherited Results of Experience.

Man and his Possibilities.

Nature Study in our Schools.

The Teacher's Problem.

Mr. Frank M. Chapman,

The Educational Value of Bird Study. Prof. Edward Howard Griggs, Education for the Art of Life (Graduation Address).

The statistics for the year ending Aug. 31, 1899, are as follows:

1. Number of students for the year, 99, -96 women, 3 men; number in the entering class, 46, 43 women, 3 men; number of graduates for the year, 27; number receiving certificates for special courses, 1.

2. Whole number of students admitted since the opening of the school, 245, 239 women, 6 men.

3. Number of States represented in the membership of the school for this year, 5.

4.

Number of counties in Massachusetts represented, 5.

5. Number of towns in Massachusetts represented, 24.

-6. Average age of entering class, 19.5.

7. Number who have had experience as teachers, 13.

8. Occupation of parents: contractors, 2; skilled laborers, 10; farmers, 5; superintendents and foremen, 4; merchants, 6; professional men, 3; machinists, 8; not living, 8; total, 46.

9. Number of pupils in school Dec. 1, 1899, 104.

J. D. MILLER,

E. H. CAPEN,
Board of Visitors.

STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, NORTH ADAMS.

FRANK FULLER MURDOCK, PRINCIPAL.

INSTRUCTORS.

FRANK FULLER MURDOCK, psychology, pedagogy; ROLAND W. Guss, science; CHARLES H. STEARNS, manual training; LYMAN R. ALLEN, history, geography; ANNETTE M. BARTLETT, mathematics, music; MARY A. PEARSON, drawing, color; CATHERINE W. PARKER, English, vocal expression; ANNIE C. SKEELE, physiology, physical culture. Training School: Mrs. DONNA D. COUCH, principal; ROSA E. SEARLE, HARRIETTE P. RYDER, EDITH M. DUNNING, HANNAH E. MAGENIS, MARION L. WEBSTER, ANNA S. COYLE, AGNES E. WALKER, F. A. CLARKE, FANNIE FOOTE, SUSAN G. LOMBARD, SARAH E. BOWER, EMMA H. TINGUE, MARGARET F. COLLINS, OLIE M. HILLIARD, SUSAN A. CLEGHORN.

Kindergarten: DELLA M. Webb, principal; LILIAN S. DANIELS, assistant.

During the year Miss Coyle resigned to accept a position in Plainfield, N. J., and Miss Agnes E. Walker of Chelsea was appointed to the charge of the fifth grade. Miss Dunning resigned in August because of home duties; but the vacancy has not been filled, as it is hoped that she may return in the spring. The June promotions caused a union of the two sixth grades into one seventh, and the formation of two fifth grades, the total number of classes remaining the same. The work of the second fifth grade is in charge of Miss Sara A. Browne, an efficient graduate of the first class.

The effectiveness of the work in all departments has distinctly increased. More work has been done, with more freedom, with greater regard for children's and students' interests, and with beneficent reflex influence upon the teachers. The entering class has taken hold of the new work with unusual zest, and is making highly commendable progress. The first class completed its two years of work in January, when 7 left