 The Schoolmaster's Electronic Bookshelf
by Mike Day (Re-print) The concept of teacher education (at least here in America) dates to the early 1840's with the establishment of the first "Normal Schools", a term derived from the French "Ecole Normal." As applied to a school for teachers the word "normal" meant an institution where correct standards or "norms" were taught, and where the art of teaching was demonstrated in correct practice. Massachusetts established first Normal School at Lexington with three students on July 3, 1839. New York established one in 1844 and Connecticut followed in May 1850. In addition to formal academic preparation, there was a strong movement towards Teachers Conventions at which the newer approaches were introduced and discussed. But such formal training tended to be limited to teachers in the settled and urbanized areas. For those in more isolated situations, self-education was often the only option. A number of periodicals for teachers also appeared, most being published by the various State Departments of Education. These provided support and encouragement, instruction in specific aspects of teaching, and recommendations regarding professional books that teachers should read. The books could be ordered by mail, so that even in the most out-of-the-way settlements, dedicated teachers could keep up with the developments in their field. The bookshelf of a committed teacher would contain some or all of the following titles: School Architecture: or Contributions to the Improvement of School-houses, Henry Barnard, New York, 1848 Confessions of a School Master, William A. Alcott, New York, 1839 The Teacher's Manual, Thomas H. Palmer, Boston, 1840 Lectures on School-Keeping, Samuel Hall, Boston, 1832 The Teacher Taught; or The Principals and Modes of Teaching, Emerson Davis,1839 Lectures to Female Teachers on School-Keeping, Samuel Hall, Boston, 1832 The School-Master's Friend, With the Committee-Man's Guide, Theodore Dwight, Jr., New York, 1835 Essay on the Construction of School-Houses, William Alcott, Boston 1832 Slate And Black Board Exercises, William Alcott, New York, 1843 The Teacher Taught, Emerson Davis, Boston, 1839 The Teacher's Manual, Thomas H. Palmer, Boston, 1840 The School And School-Master, Alonzo Potter, New York, 1842 How Shall I Govern My School ?, E. C. Wines, Philadelphia, 1838 Lectures On Education, Horace Mann, Boston, 1845 Many more could be listed. These books contain much that is relevant to good teaching even today. Museum people who peruse them get to share in the thinking that motivated 19th century teachers, and secure a first-hand look into the day-to-day workings of their schools. It’s worth your time to take a look. Accessing An Electronic Treasure While you could scour the country's research libraries in search of original copies, a much easier approach is available to you through your computer. All of the books listed above are available to you at no cost through Google books. Clear images of the original publications can be downloaded to your computer or other electronic reader whenever you want them. To gain access, first go to the site: GOOGLE BOOKS . When the main page opens, there will be a search box under it. In this window type the name of the book you want, and click on the magnifying glass. A list of sites will be presented that offers access to that book. The listing will usually indicate where and when it was published. Look for the notation "READ” under the title and click on that. The book will open and you can read it by scrolling down. You can browse through the book, print a copy or save it for later. It’s a modern electronic version of the school-master’s bookshelf. And just as the originals helped frontier teachers do a better job in their one room school-houses, the electronic versions can help you to be a more informed interpreter in your restored school-house. Note: Mike Day was a regular contributor to the CSAA newsletter during its years of publication and the owner of Clippership Publications. We continue to seek Mike out to find out where he retired.
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