Page:A history of the Michigan state normal school (now Normal college) at Ypsilanti, Michigan, 1849-1899 (IA historyofmichiga00putniala).pdf/80



According to the time which may be spared for the purpose, to the (E) or (F) Classes, Lectures on the School Laws of Michigan and upon the History of Education, Oriental, Classic, and Modern, will be given.

In the (F) class, (Senior), beside the Text-Book istruction in Intellectual Philosophy, Lectures are given on the Philosophy of Education, with mainly the following range of topics: Education, What; of Man—Physical, importance of a well-developed body, Mental—Philosophy of Education based upon a knowledge of Psychological powers, analysis of such powers, Minute and careful analysis of the Mental acts concerned in each; The precise definition of each power based on such analysis; The order of development and growth of each group of faculties. Transition—Out of the law of development and growth, are evolved certain Pedagogic or Educational axioms or principles useful as tests of all methods of instruction—to determine the selection of materials therefore and the proper presentation of the same; Examination of the studies and subjects employed in school education—The peculiar Culture required by each, How only symmetrical culture can be reached, grouping of studies for each period of mental and physical growth. Classification of the sensibilities, their culture and control: The immense importance of careful attention to such culture and control. The will; how to strengthen and guide it, Culture of conscience.—Direct and reflex influence of body and spirit."’

This brings us to the close of the first period in the history of the development and progress of the normal school in the direction followed in this chapter; and to the opening of a new era and of a new administration commencing with the school year 1870-71.

Second Period.

In their report for 1870 the Board of Education expressed the - purpose of taking measures to secure a more extended and complete course of professional training than had up to that time been given in the school. During the early part of the year 1871 the newly elected Principal, Joseph Estabrook, accompanied a portion of the time by Mr. Putnam, visited several of the best normal schools in the East for the purpose of observing their practical working, and to gather information which would be of value in improving the courses of instruction and the general organization and arrangement of the Michigan normal school. As a result the Board decided to transfer as much of the purely aca- demic work as could be conveniently separated from the profes-