DEPARTMENT OF NORMAL SCHOOLS. SECRETARY'S MINUTES. FIRST SESSION. WARD'S SEMINARY, NASHVILLE, TENN., July 17, 1889. The Normal Department was called to order at 3 P. M., by the President, Irwin Shepard. Prayer was offered by Rev. R. Lin Cave. The President announced that the Secretary, Miss Ellen A. Williams, of Massachusetts, was absent. On motion, John Wesley Johnson, of Mississippi, was elected Secretary pro tem. The President stated that Arnold Tompkins, who was to present a paper on "The Central Idea in the Normal School," was absent; consequently the discussion on that subject would be omitted. B. A. Hinsdale, of Michigan, then read a paper on "Pedagogical Chairs in Universities and Colleges." The report of the "Chicago Committee" on "Methods of Instruction and Courses of Study in Normal Schools" was next presented by the chairman of the committee, T. J. Gray, State Normal School, St. Cloud, Minnesota. R. C. Martin, of Missouri, moved that the report be received. Carried. Mr. Hoose, of New York, offered the following resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, That the chair appoint a committee of three to outline the province of pedagogical inquiry, and to submit the report in 1890. The President appointed this committee as follows: James H. Hoose, of New York, T. J. Gray, of Minnesota, E. Oram Lyte, of Pennsylvania. It was moved that the chair appoint a committee of three on nominations. Carried. S. S. Parr, of Minnesota, Miss M. E. Nicholson, of Indiana, B. B. Penfield, of Tennessee, were appointed such committee. The Department then adjourned till 2:30 P. M., July 18. JOHN WESLEY JOHNSON, Secretary pro tem. SECOND SESSION.-JULY 18. The Department met as per adjournment; the President in the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. The report of the Committee on Subjects for Investigation was made by the chairman, J. H. Hoose. The report was received. Secretary Johnson was excused at his request, and on motion of Jerome Allen, of New York, E. R. Eldridge, of Alabama, was elected to act as Secretary. The paper of B. T. Washington, of Tuskegee, Alabama, on "NormalSchool Work. Among the Colored People," was read by A. J. Steele, of Le Moyne Normal Institute, Memphis. Albert Salisbury, of the State Normal School, Whitewater, Wisconsin, opened the discussion. S. G. Atkins, of Livingston, South Carolina, rose to discuss the above paper; but Joseph Baldwin, of Texas, suggested that A. D. Mayo's paper on "The Training of the Teacher in the South" was closely connected with the preceding topic, and should be read before the discussion began. Mr. Mayo then read a paper on the subject mentioned. J. H. Hoose, on behalf of the committee appointed to present lines of investigation with reference to normal-school work, reported the following: An inquiry into the psychology that should be taught to students preparing to teach. An inquiry into the nature and character of the educational effects which systems of subject-matter and forms of teaching it have upon the minds of pupils in the primary grades, the first three years of school-life beginning at five years of age. An inquiry into the province, function and effect of criticism as it touches teachers in training in normal schools; and also the comparative value of practice-work as the "experience element" in preparation for teaching. The Committee on Nomination of Officers presented the following report: President-William W. Parsons, Terre Haute, Indiana. Vice-President-James H. Hoose, Cortland, New York. Secretary-John L. Lampson, Nashville, Tennessee. The report was adopted. A vote of thanks was tendered to J. B. Hancock and wife for the use of the hall for the meetings of the Department. The usual resolution of courtesy to retiring officers was also passed. On motion, the meeting adjourned. E. R. ELDRIDGE, Secretary pro tem. |