London Normal School - Spectrum Yearbook (London, Ontario Canada)

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Star Gazing at Western U On March the 12th, between the hours of 7 and ll, the Normal students of '45 found their various ways to the lyestern Observatory. The night air was chill and clear. echoing such interrogations as XX here is it? and XVhere do we go from here? Finally we viewed its small domed shape ahead and we were greeted by cheers of fellow' students who had been more fortunate in Ending their way. As our eyes became accustomed to the brightly-lighted room we saw Dr. Hofferd and Kliss Conover demonstrating a few of the mysteries of the sky with the planitarium. This illustrated on a smaller scale the relationship of the various planets to the sun, and how they all, like the earth. rotate around the sun. XYhen we climbed to the dome we gazed around us in the gloom. l-lveryhody seemed to be everywhere, but finally we distinguished a line slowly moving to mount a ladder and gaze through the telescope. Twinkle, twinkle. little star. How I wonder what you are llp above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky. From the telescope they would proceed to the roof to scan the heavens with the naked eye or by a smaller telescope. Through the large telescope we observed Saturn and its rings, the crescent of Venus, and the brilliance of big jupiter. The answer to our many inquiries concerning Venus is that it has phases just as does our moon. This was all we could see of our Solar System. On the roof, through the smaller telescope, we again gazed at Saturn, jupiter, and the Pleiades of Taurus. Those who were waiting for use of the telescope scanned the skies with the naked eye for Pleiades or the Seven Sisters shaped like a small dipper, and Orion, the mighty hunter, with the three bright stars of his belt and two dogs following him: Taurus, whose head forms a V, and the shoulder marked by Pleiades, the Heavenly Twins, at whose feet Saturn rested: Draco found between the big and little dipper, and Leo whose head is marked by a sickle-shaped group of stars. Because of the interesting sky studies with Dr. I-Iofferd and this penetrating outing to the observatory we believe that the Normal Students will now adopt the following new version of the old poem: Twinkle, twinkle, little star. Now, I know just what you are: XYhen into the midnight sky, lYe, the spectroscope apply. The only new star discovered was by Barry Moore, who found it on the ceiling of Brescia Hall. VVe extend our thanks to the University and to Dr. Hofferd, for this opportunity. BI-IRNICI-Q WENIG. MURIEL ROGERS. In gardening, always first plan the layout The problem method of teaching focuses on paper and then plant accordingly. attention, stimulates interest, and requires , ,, , thinking and expression. Remember to use your primary reading ' chart. That is what you made it forl Art likeScience teach pupils to beobservant. i X 3 if if if Recall how we worked out the incubation Corporal punishment should not be used project. Go thou and do likewise. too frequently in schools. Page Twerzly-urze

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My Profession liver since I was a small child, my main ambition has been to be a teacher. Why, someone once asked me, do you want to be that? just think of the exciting life you would have if you were an airline hostess. Or if such a life requires too much energy for you, you could be a secretary, who takes life easily, sitting on a chair all day. If even this doesn't suit you, you could benefit humanity by being a nurse. But a teacher! Bah! Mark my word! You will be a nervous wreck in two years, and no one will appreciate your efforts. You will be the target of all the community gossip, too. lf you don't believe me, just wait and SVC. Your arguments are right in some degree, I answered. But now let me tell you all the pleasures of being a teacher. To begin with, I know I shall like the nork. It will be thrilling to know that I have revealed to some young mind some of the wonders of science. I can imagine the sensation I shall get when some child finally understands why the area ofa rectangle is length X width X 1 square unit. lt will be similar to the feeling I had when, at last, l could distinguish the difference between combinations and permutations. Yes, it will be a hard fight, but think of the trium- phant victory! And who wouldn't rather work with the active minds of young children than with account books, or hypochondriacs? I am sure I shall be amused countless times with their peculiar expressions. and childlike views. Fancy the stimulating experience of kindling the mind of some youngster who might become a second Sir Ernest MacMillan! But even if you do not consider these as motivating forces, I still have other reasons for wanting to become a teacher. One is the fact that the future life of the nation is largely in the hands of the teacher. Since there is a very slight chance that someday I may be a member of parliament, l can find satisfaction in knowing that some of my pupils will probably, someday, in some way, infiuenee the political life of our country. And teachers are powerful factors in guiding children to see the truth and to have good characters, and well-informed minds. Thus, it is clear, teachers affect to a great extent the future of our land. Then, too. I have selfish reasons for choosing this career. The first is that I have a weakness for wanting holidays. XYhat other profession allows one to have two months holidays every summer, and two days holidays every week? None, of which I know. The second selfish reason is that teachers now have quite good salaries. Now what other vocation, I ask you. has as many advantages as teaching? My friend could not suggest to me any profession with more arguments in its favour than teaching has. Now. in case you have to stand up for our profession. just reinforce your argument with these lines: For me is the life of a teacher, I love the young boys and smart girls, If I teach them with zest and with interest, lily reward will be worth more than pearls. You may have your excitement or patients, Or scrub all the live-long day: But I shall have children to work with, And shall make my work interesting play. Now, if you are in doubt of your future, And like youngsters better than pay, Your life is all laid out before you, just pick up and follow the way. DOROTHY E. CHANDLER. Page Twenty

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I What of Our Canada? XYe are all breathlessly awaiting news of the collapse of Germany, the ultimate end of heart-ache, anxiety, suffering and toil for many people, Arising from this, there is much planning and many suggestions for our future Canada and future world. Many of us are dreaming of that world and picturing it, a world where in short justice and the four freedoms prevail. a world based on the wondrous Sermon on the Mount. Some argue that this world will never be. No dream or ideal is ever completely rea- lized. Or, if it is, that ideal is unworthy of us. XYe belittle ourselves in planning it for it has not been placed high enough. A man's reach must exceed his grasp. Our desire should be to strive unceasingly, to stretch forth our hands farther and farther so that our dream of a true Canada, where justice and truth are supreme, maybe realized. It will not be easy. VVorthwhile things are never easy to achieve. Thus, as the battle dies and the guns are stilled, when the work of some has Hnished, the duty, the privilege of service for others-for us will commence, and our day will dawn in the building of a new and better Canada, a new and better world. XVe should strive for better in- ternational relations. This is necessary and inevitable if wars are to be removed from the face of the earth. However, before we are enabled to understand others, we must first understand ourselves. Thus, let us think of Canada, of her past, of her future, so that our privileges and duties may be clarified. Canada-that vast, spacious and beauteous country-our country. Are not our hearts stilled and struck with awe when we think of her splendours of hill and vale, her blue sky, her quiet countrysides. the peace and contentment prevailing within her walls? In many respects the old axiom is true, that, as has been the past, so will the tendency be for the future. Many have failed, forgetting that the past has gone, the present is with us, and so to speak, has its innings for to-day. Yet the future alone is fraught with unlimited possibili- ties. Lessons learned from the lessons of the past should be constructive guiding posts for the future. This is true of Canada. Much of the past of Canada has been glorious, some has been failure. Vllhen America broke all ties with Great Britain and became a free country, Canada remained true as did many people in the United States. These people were forced to wind their way to Canada, among unbelievable hardships and difhculties. They did not falter. They have been a wonderful blessing to Canadian life and a source from which many of our best statesmen have come. Confederation in 1867 was in itself a great movement, so much so that politicians are loath to tamper with it and improve it. Yet we must remember that Canada is still young, not yet one hundred years of age. How can we expect her to be perfect with all obstacles removed? Vilhat nation has not undergone conflict in its birth and growth? It is quite evident, however, that Canada has leaped into recognition in the world during the last few years. Canada is a nation composed of all races. having an important geographical position and marvellous productive abilities. She is blessed with raw materials and mineral wealth of unbelievable magnitude. Above all, she is blessed with preponderance of blood that recognizes the merits of Christianity and what it has done for other peoples, as well as how the lack of it has darkened the lives of other peoples. Thus, I believe Canada's future is rich and endowed with great justified hope for even greater progress in the future than in the past. In this great progress of Canada's future we, as teachers of the men and women of to- morrow, are honoured in our task of htting and preparing young Canadians that they might live in close relationship with other nations and peoples as close friends and neighbours. In so doing, let us make evident the glory of our Canada and the blessings that God has bestowed upon it. Let us be thankful for these blessings and share them with the less fortunate in all countries, as well as those found in Canada. May we realize that of this heritage and these wonders of wealth, beauty and opportunity that have been granted us are ignored, if they are not given a chance to grow, if they are not appreciated, but buried in the sand, we may find them taken away as the talents were of old. The decision rests on us and future generations. VVe know what this decision will be Our Canada will grow true, strong and just, our world will live in peace and happiness, thriving in the joy of work and love-the joy of living. Vile shall always remember Churchill's voice, deep and determined, while ahead a dark and unknown path loomed as he uttered the words that shall live forever- VVe shall not fail. Now, as victory is nearing, as our future path is again unknown, let us, believing in our task, withfconfidence, hope and above all faith, keep whispering those never dying words, We shall not ail. JUNE F. LEE. Pu ge Twenty-two