The Oriole, December 1923

“A good archer is not known by his arrows, but by his aim.” THE ORIOLE At least once a day read a little poetry, sing a song or look at a picture. Vol. 3— No. 4 DECEMBER, 1923 Published Monthly by Students of the Maryland State Normal School, Towson, Md. THREE SIGNIFICANT EVENTS ‘Tis The Week Before Xmas! Three significant events mark the calendar since the publication of the last number of “The Oriole.” On Saturday, November 17, there came back to tlie school seventy-five of the graduates of 1923, in response to a cal! from us for a homecoming day. They came to tell us what we had not done for them in their training; and to unfold the problems they were meeting in this, their first year of teaching experience, for which they were not fully prepared. In their appeals for help, they asked for teaching experience in as many grades as possible during their student teaching; educative seat-work ; help with retarded children in the normal grouping; overage children and reading in the first grade. They showed great appreciation for the help their supervisors in the field were giving them and gave evidence of a spirit of loyalty that we hope will make them welcome members of the profession throughout the State. The home coming was not all serious; the dance at night lent an air of jollification and helped to renew friendships that we hope will continue in their lives. On November 7, forty-five students of the International Institute from Teachers’ College. Columbia University, came to visit the school. The International Institute is a department devoted to research for foreign students. The group that came to us is taking a field course in education. Fifteen nations were represented among the visitors, who spent part of two days with us. Professor Wilson, instructor in charge of the party, writes us that his class will come again next year if we will allow them to do so. The latch string is out. We shall not soon forget the guest from Egypt who talked with us about King Tut (To-ot); the charming Italian; the calm, subtle, poised, fascinating Brahmin; nor the vivid Japanese woman . We have all felt the seriousness of such a project as the field work of this International Institute because we realize that what these foreign students see done in the name of education in this country is going to be used either in constructive or destructive work in their own countries when they return to use their influence to change the educational systems of their nations. On December 8 we passed one milestone in the year’s work. The first term is ended. For the Juniors it will be an indication of their ability to adjust to the new situation here in the Normal and to find out their capacities and tendencies for the teaching field. For some of the Seniors, it means the end of their first experience in teaching. They finish these twelve weeks either with enthusiasm or dissatisfaction. The enthusiastic ones will boost our professional spirit; dissatisfaction will he an indication, perhaps, of little aptitude for a chosen field. The students must take stock of their assets care-fully. For the Seniors who have been scheduled in the regular normal courses, the term will have been an indication of growth along al! lines, above and beyond their Junior class record. A milestone is a strategic sign and points the way forward or backward. If one expects to keep a white post white, it can he done only through a great deal of attention paid to the post and much repainting in white. If one expects to understand the business of the training of children, it can be done only through much study of children and through study of one’s own aptitude for this scientific job of education To the Juniors! Keep your minds and emotions open and choose wisely your field for apprenticeship in teaching; will it be rural, aprimarv grade, or an intermediate grade experience? To the Seniors! Congratulations — that the practice is done or about to begin, or three months away! The goal, — to manage a group of children and interpret them and the curriculum, through their powers to think and act and feel — is no mean task but. one worthy of the highest effort. Ben — So your engagement to Eva is off. And I thought she just doted you. Tom — Yes, she did. But her father proved to be an antidote.