N ormal S chool H erald. P u b l is h e d Oc to b e r , Ja n u a r y , A p r il S h ip p e n s b u r g , P a . Vox,. X IV and OCTOBER, 1909 Ju l y . No. 1 3fool TMflass of Spelling. “ P s y c h e ; what a fool way to spell fish,” exclaimed a sixth grade school boy, and we all laughed at his mistake. But after all, why should we laugh? Are we not teaching our pupils to spell many words with combinations of letters that have little more similarity to the sound of the word than psyche has to fish? Phthisic or phthisis, for example— these, of course, are extreme cases, but there are hundreds of words disguised and disfigured by doubled consonants and silent letters that have no part or value in the sound of the word, and these lawless absurdities are the bane of our spelling. A few very bad spells of phthisic or phthisis might be sur­ vived as other diseases are, and excused on the plea of their foreign birth, their very oddity making them easy to remember, but to be constantly tripped up by lurking double consonants, silent letters or a misleading final e is exasperating and discour­ aging. Our spelling is in the main phonetic. W e ordinarily expect to find the sound of words fairly represented by the spelling. Children begin to spell with a sort of tacit understanding that spelling is the putting together of those letters whose combined sounds will equal the sound of the word. In most cases this is what is required, but there are so many exceptions that the child soon loses all confidence in any judgment he may form as to how a word ought to be spelled. He starts with jam, ham, Sam, dam, slam, and has no difficulty. But he no sooner begins to feel some assurance as to the connection between the sounds of words and the sounds of the letters used to spell them than he is called down for spelling lamb lam, or calm cam. * TH E NORMAL* SCHOOI* HERAED This being learned by sheer effort of memory he starts again with bed, red, led, Ned, fed, etc. His hope revives, but is soon cut off by the demand of head for hed and said for sed where the same sound is represented by totally different letters. It is but natural that he soon becomes suspicious of any spell­ ing that seems simple and easy, and makes desperate attempts at all kinds of strange and grotesque combinations, hoping by some good luck to strike the right formula for the given word. It is quite natural that after being corrected, and probably laughed at. for spelling his thumb thum and his toe to and his head hed and his limb lim, he should hesitate to spell his leg by anything so simple and reasonable as leg. He is dumfounded and found dumb. Our spelling is to the learner like one who generally tells the truth, but about one statement in ten is a lie; consequently, he is never believed. No one can guess how a word is spelled; he may judge how it ought to be spelled, but that will not help him, more likely mislead him. The only way to learn to spell is to grind, grind, grind at the spelling book; load the memory with arbitrary lists of letters which current usage has adopted to represent the words. This is slavish work, and endless, for not one man in a thousand can write on an unfamiliar subject without consulting his dictionary to see how to spell some of the words. But the most serious objection to our spelling is that, tho acquired at so great a cost of patient labor, it is of no value when achieved. It adds nothing of value to our store of knowledge; it cultivates no mental faculty; it gives no grace or refinement to the soul. The only possible advantage which can be hoped for is the slight and inaccurate indication of the etymology furnished by the spelling. This is slight, because only a small number of words indicate their etymology by their spelling that do not indi­ cate it quite as clearly by their sound; and inaccurate because many words indicate an origin that is false— as island or rhyme. Moreover, the indications are so obscure and uncertain that no one can trust them, but must consult the dictionary to confirm his judgment. So that the practical value of spelling as an index of etymology is reduced to the small and doubtful office of a re­ minder of what we have elsewhere learned. THEJ NORMAL SCHOOL HERALD 3 The hardship of our spelling is the more grievous because for the most part it is easily remedied. The suggestions of the Simplified Spelling Board are reason­ able, moderate and practicable. They would lighten the burden of spelling by at least two-thirds of its weight. They are not so radical as to render words difficult to recognize, nor so numerous as to require much time to learn them. For those of us who have learned to spell according to pres­ ent usage it may be hardly worth while to change, but why should we persist in teaching such ‘ ‘fool ways of spelling” to generation after generation of innocent children who have done us no harm? Silent 36—t)ere. cabinE erminE medicinE clandestinE examinE originE destinE faminE rapinE determinE heroinE resinE disciplinE illuminE rosinE doctrinE imaginE ruinE enginE marginE verminE A ll these words were once so speld. Find out which them are now speld as they are now pronounced. Find out also, if you can, why they should not all be now speld as they are now pronounced. M. Zbe point of lDiew. H ic k s — “ Talk about Friday being an unlucky day! George Washington was born on Friday; the Declaration of Independence was signed on Friday, and the Battle of Bunker H ill was fought on Friday.” W ic k s — “ Well, all that was unlucky for the British, wasn’t it ?” — Somerville Journal. Where ignorance Is tbliss. M is t r e s s — “ Look here, Susan, I can write my name in the dust upon this table !” S usan — “ Ah, mum, there’s nothing like eddication, is there, mum?” — Comic Cuts. ...TH E... N ormal S chool H erald. P u b l is h e d O c t o b e r , J a n u a r y , A p r il S h i p p e n s b u Rg , P a . and Ju l y . C h a r l e s H . G o r d i n i e r , Editor. S . A l i c e H u b e r , Exchange Editor. A d a V . H o r t o n , ’88, Personal Editor. J . S . H r i g b s , ’91, Business Manager. Subscription price, 25 cents per year strictly in advance. Single copies, ten cents eaC Address all communications to T h e N o r m a l S c h o o l H e r a l d , Shlppensburg, Pa. Alumni and former members of the school will favor us by sending any items that thev mav think would be Interesting for publication. Entered as Second Class Matter at the Post Office, Shlppensburg, Pa. VOL. XIV OCTOBER, 1909 No. 1 Editorial. It is generally agreed, by school men that the best work of the year is done in the fall term. Various causes tend to produce this result, but it is not our purpose to analyze them. The great majority of teachers and students get down to hard work at once and the importance of the fall and early winter work can hardly be overestimated. These are the days when some students insist on getting homesick and want to go home. Some of them go. “ Be you ever so homely, there’s no place like home.” We have sym­ pathy for the homesick boy or girl, but we have much more ad­ miration for him that grits his teeth, swallows hard and sticks it out. Thousands of young men and women in this country have missed a liberal education by yielding to the longing for home. Show your nerve and stick it out. jt These are also the days when many a district teacher feels that she can never go thru the term. She wants to go home. W e know what it is to teach miles and miles from home in a neighborhood where we do not find people very congenial. But it is never quite so bad as we think it is. There is at least one redeeming feature if we will look for it— often several and the em- THE NORMAL, SCHOOL, HERAED 5 ployment of will power is of great advantage. Frequently one gets into a slump thru lack of physical exercise, and in such a case there is nothing better than a good hard tramp. The slump will generally have disappeared by the time we get back. j* Practically every up-to-date teacher now takes a course in professional reading thru the school year— two or three books and a school paper suited to her needs. A most excellent plan is to take the paper to the school house and read it at odd inter­ vals. Even if nothing “ practical” is found, the inspiration will be of great value. The Normal graduate must not feel that the professional training received at school is sufficient. Regardless of previous preparation, the teacher that does not spend some time on educational literature will soon get into a rut and teach along year after year in the same old way. I f comparisons were not odious, it might be interesting to consider the question as to who shows the greater professional spirit— the teacher in the public schools or the teacher connected with Normal School, Academy, College or University ? j* The question of educational literature brings to our attention the fact that a new school paper has been launched in Pennsyl­ vania, The Teachers’ Friend, “ an up-to-date school journal of practical work,” published monthly at Eewisburg, Pa., J. E. Mumma, editor and publisher. The first number has just ap­ peared, and among the contributors are the editor of the H e r a e d and H . Z. Goas, a member of our last year’s faculty. The paper is especially intended for the public school teacher, and contains many useful methods and suggestions. There is room for just such a paper in this state, and we wish for it a long and useful existence. During the past three years we have had the opportunity of coming quite closely in touch with educational matters in Mary­ land and find much to admire. Dr. M. Bates Stephens is a most successful and popular state superintendent. The men at the head of county affairs are wide-awake, energetic and efficient. Judging the teachers from the view point afforded at county in­ stitutes we have only words of commendation. Their county 6 THF, NORMAL SCHOOL HERAI/D system seems to work out advantageously and in some respects is superior to our township, borough and city systems. Their nine-month minimum term is a credit to the state. The literature issued by the state department and put into the hands of every teacher is helpful, stimulating and inspiring. The Normal schools demand high school graduation for admission, or a twoyear preparatory academic course at the Normal. Taken alto­ gether, Maryland is to be complimented on its educational stand­ ing. It is not too early to again begin agitation of educational matters in Pennsylvania, looking to the passage of a new school code, at the next session of the legislature. Took at the states that bound us north, east, south and west and we find a longer Tninitnnm term. But of course we can’t afford more than seven months and the boy in the country has no right to demand as good an education as his cousin in the city. We have no wealth, not much coal or iron or petroleum or timber; not many rich agricultural counties, not many industrial centers. And look at the state debt— just none at all. W on’t some kind-hearted soul give us some money that our boys and girls on the farms may not have a five-month vacation each year ? Of course, we have a real nice capitol and it is undoubtedly better to spend our money that way. For post cards with views of the capitol are just too sweet, and at the close of a seven-month term every boy and girl ought to be given one. Tet them take them home and let father and mother do some thinking. j* faculty ‘Notes. Dr. Martin’s well known power in the pulpit kept him in de­ mand during the summer, when other ministers were taking their vacation. With Mrs. Martin he took a short trip to Montreal and Quebec the early part of August. Prof. Heiges and family spent most of the summer at the Normal, paying a short visit to her mother and sisters at New­ port. Prof. Heiges spent several days interviewing prospective students. Master Ralph spent the entire summer with his parents. THE NORMAL, SCHOOL, HERALD 7 Prof. Stewart, after a few weeks at home, put in about a month in the interest of the school, following chiefly the main line of the Pa. R. R. and breaking into some new territory. He reports a pleasant and succesful canvass. Since the last issue of the H e r a l d , Miss Hartley’s resigna­ tion has been accepted. We understand she will be a member of the faculty of Irving College this year. Dr. Eckels, of last year’s faculty, is now comfortably settled in his new home at Easton, as a member of Lafayette faculty. Miss Noble has begun work in the Norristown High School. Prof. Goas is busy in the Orange High School and Prof. Cure has a responsible business position in Wilkesbarre. Miss Alice Huber returned the first week of school from a delightful trip thru Germany. W e have not heard her say, but take it for granted, she has learned to eat pretzels, sauer kraut and limburger and to drinkSer— appolinaris. While still an unmarried man, Prof. Newman was an able representation of the school in several counties adjoining Cum­ berland. Prof. Newman has demonstrated his ability as a studentgetter, and is gaining an enviable acquaintance thronghout this section of the state. As newly married people are a rare thing in this faculty, some preparation was made to show appreciation of the fact. The rooms occupied some years ago by Prof, and Mrs. Heiges have been thoroughly overhauled and with new floor, new walls and new furnishings are now the cheerful abode of Prof, and Mrs. Newman. The neighboring suite forms the abode of a lonesome bachelor, but he has not yet given up hope. Mrs. Wolff, our efficient matron, and daughters, Misses Gertrude and Dorothy, spent a few weeks during July at their old home in Franklin county. Eater the kiddies took a trip all by themselves, visiting friends in and around Harrisburg. Miss Horton, our popular and able preceptress, was at the Normal most of the summer, making a few flying visits in the interest of the school. A t the beginning of vacation she bought a hammock. Query— Did she use that hammock selfishly, or did she share it ? s TH E NORMAL, SCHOOL, HERALD The editor of this paper, after a brief visit to his parents in Troy, Pa., returned to the Normal. During the latter part of the summer he was engaged in institute work in Indiana and Mary­ land, and later will be an instructor in several Pennsylvania meetings. Miss Nora M. Livermore, the only new member of our fac­ ulty this year, comes to us from the Allentown College for women, where she has won a most excellent reputation as teacher of elo­ cution and physical culture. She received her training in these arts in the Ithica Conservatory of Music, Ithica, N. Y ., having completed the three-year course in these subjects. Miss Liver­ more receives a hearty welcome here and we hope she may long find her work and home with us. Prof. Channing E. Sweitzer, who made a host of friends last spring, now fills the chair formerly held by Prof. Goas. We are more than glad to welcome him back, for we are sure his strength of character will be a power for good. Miss Wylie, with her father, Rev. S. S. Wylie, took an e x­ tended trip thru the eastern states during the summer and had an especially interesting stay in Boston. There she learned what real “ culchah” is, and we hope to absorb a little during the year. Selab. The woman that maketh a good pudding in silence is better than she who maketh a tart reply.— United Presbyterian. ©ratifying. “ One-half of the world does not know how the other half lives.” “ Well, it is gratifying to think that one-half of the world attends to its own business.” — Puck. a* •Rilling Hitne. S he — “ I heard you singing in your room this morning.” H e — “ Oh, I sing a little to kill tim e.” S h e — “ You have a good weapon.” — Boston Transcript. THE NORMAL SCHOOL HERALD 9 Hbnormals. Now the summer it is ended, And vacation gone to thence; Now the students have return-ed, Coming all the way from whence. Now the study hour beginneth— Now the campus hour is short— And as daylight gently waneth, W e unto the gas resort. 1910— Blue and white. Not so hefty as 1909, but they may grow. “ And young Sim Simon will be old Sim Simon when old Sim Simon is gone.” After weeks of drouth, the campus is again green; can the juniors be blamed for this ? More boys than usual, and better looking and better dressed than usual. The concert given the bride and groom was more vociferous than harmonious. The usual reception was held Saturday night, Sept, n th , and after the handshaking all were entertained in the gym . The tennis courts have been put in good shape and many have been taking the advantage of ground and weather. The old N ormals would hardly recognize the Society Room in its new coat of paint. W ill some one kindly donate a picture or two ? Room 86 where seniors show their knowledge and ignorance of literature is gay in new paint, pictures and statuary. Mr. Shakespeare is there, twice in pictures and once in marble bust. In order that the aesthetic side of our education may not be neglected, many handsome new pictures have been hung in parlor, recitation rooms, model school and dining room. This is an improvement we cannot too strongly commend. One of the most noticeable improvements is in the dining hall. The windows have been cut down and plate glass put in. A t each one appear new shades and draped curtains. New china closets are ranged along the wall, and handsome Humphrey gas 10 THE NORMAL SCHOOL HERALD arc lights take the place of the old gas jets. ment long needed and much admired. It is an improve­ T o show their appreciation of the serenade given them early in the term, Prof, and Mrs. Newman entertained the boys at an informal luncheon Friday evening, Sept. 17th. Various and sundry delicacies were served and rousing songs of various kinds of sentiment showed the kindly feeling. Members of the faculty that marry in the future will please note this precedent. Among the many good features of the Shippensburg Normal, one of the best is the library. Several thousand volumes of peda­ gogical and standard works line its walls, together with reference books, magazines and dailies. This room was handsomely re­ fitted during the summer, and with freshly painted walls, addi­ tional statuary and pictures makes a most inviting retreat. No better habit can be formed than that of spending a portion of each day browsing among books and periodicals. fpolitlcal fRepattee. “ The motto of our party is ‘ Turn the rascals o u t!” ’ “ Well, I guess your party has turned out more rascals than any other Cleveland Leader. ¿4 *7 tReception. The Y . M. C. A . and Y . W . C. A . gave a most delightful reception Saturday evening, Sept. 18th. The reception line in the parlors was formed of the members of the cabinets. Then all ad­ journed to the chapel, where an interesting program was present­ ed. Partners for the evening found each other by blue and red flower cards. Special features of the program were a fantastic band, a pipe organ of eight girls, playing various tunes, and most pleasing to many, a representation of each member o f the Faculty as he appears before a class. Individual peculiarities had been so well studied that no label in any case was necessary. After this social converse was indulged in, to say nothing of cream, cake, coffee, etc. The decorations were in good taste and the reception one of the best ever given. THE NORMAL SCHOOL HERALD 11 33. m C. B . Normal hails again resound with the merry voices of the Y . W . C. A . girls. On the evening after our arrival an “ open air” reception was given on the campus, and while seated under the trees we were given a very helpful address by Miss Harris. On the following Sunday evening a “ Conference Echo” was conducted by the girls who had been delegates to the summer conference at Mountain Lake Park, Maryland. Thus before a crowd of expectant girls we gave as best we could a taste of the inspiration and spiritual uplift we received there. Saturday evening, September 18th, will long be remembered by many of the new students and also the older ones as the even­ ing when the Y . M. and Y . W . C. A . entertained them in a joint reception. A t the second meeting of our association, the membership committee proposed the names of every new girl who stays in the building over Sunday. Invitation services were held and now with every girl in our association, and with our hearts full of gratitude for the blessings our association has received we stand hand in hand ready for our year’s work. “ Where there is union there is strength,” is our motto. May each girl rally around the banner of Jesus Christ and may every life shine out so full of cheer and sunshine that others may be led to the Son of Righteousness. K a th ryn B. D s w a l t , Pres. Gbe Xessoit for tbe Dag* George Ade says that when a certain college president in Indiana, a clergyman, was addressing the students in the chapel at the beginning of the college year, he observed that it was “ a matter of congratulation to all the friends of the college that the year had opened with the largest freshman year in its history.” Then, without any pause, the good man turned to the lesson for the day, the third Psalm, and began to read in a voice of thun­ der : “ Lord, how are they increased that trouble m e !” — Lippincott’s. 12 THE NORMAL, SCHOOL HERALD f . /ID.