8. Manual training, paste-board and wood sloyd and construction of apparatus for science teaching.
The special teacher at the head of each department presents the conditions for the knowledge needed for teaching his or her subject, and decides whether the pupil-teacher has the requisite knowledge and skill to prepare a plan for teaching.
The special teacher also teaches the principles and methods of his subject, and supervises the practice-work in his department throughout all the grades.
The practice teaching is divided into ten periods for one year, one period continuing for one month.
Each pupil-teacher is required to prepare one plan for teaching, each month, upon a subject selected by the critic teacher, under whose direct supervision the pupil-teacher is to work. This plan must be approved by the critic teacher, and also by the special teacher in charge of the subject taught, before the one who prepares the plan is permitted to teach.
Each month, certain group, section and division leaders are transferred from grade to grade in order that every pupil who has requisite ability and skill may teach in the eight grades during the course.
Whenever a pupil-teacher has reached the rank of special assistant, he or she is sent out to the county schools to act as substitute[8] upon the order of the County Superintendent.
The course of study followed in the school is the application of a doctrine or theory of education, called the Theory of Concentration. Upon this theory it was my privilege to hear Colonel Parker lecture from time to time, and the following is a short synopsis of his lectures as drawn up by himself.
“In this theory, the subjects of thought and study are the natural sciences, geography and history. The unity of these subjects is found in the study of life—the laws of life—and the laws which support life.
“The laws of life enter into the child through education, and become the essentials in his intellectual and moral character.