Madison Central High School - Tychoberahn Yearbook (Madison, WI)

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Department of H istorjy bliss ixlartha E. Sell. Bliss Ella C. Schuldt. Dir. Leonard H. Vlaehler. Nliss fwarie Wittxve1'. Bliss Grace E. Bailey. Aliss lulia lf. Alurphy. ixliss Lxlargarel 0'Neil. Bliss ixlatilda Arneson. Dir. Neal II. Stoddard IVaeliler, Sell, Bailey, O'Ncil, Schuldl, Ivittwer, Arneson, Stoddard. THE VALUE AND AIMS OF HISTORY AND OTHER SOCIAL SCIENCE STUDIES ln high schools of the country new opportunities are being offered for a broader understanding of conditions under which we live, and how these conditions came to be. Ilistory and other social science studies, that isfcivics, economics, and problems of democracy, aim to teach young people what it means to live together in organized society. Social, economic and political factors have helped shape man's civilization for ages. Aluch of this has come as a result of blind groping for better things. Nlore and more, however, a conscious effort to shape our lives toward living together well is loolced upon as a positive need in education. The social sciences teach young people historical facts as tools for thinking and analyzing. These become guide-poses in the solving of present-day problems. A study of modern conditions alone will not be sufficient. They train young people to render decisions on evidence, and not to render response off-hand. They train them in proper civic ideals and habits. History, especially, gives perspective, because it teaches them to understand and appreciate that human advance in civilization is continuous and forever changing. It makes intelligible the constant references to people and conditions of the past in literature, speeches, public discussions and in the daily press. It gives more interest to travel. It develops fair-mindedness by showing how loyal citizens have honestly differed on public uestions. Lastly, the study of the social sciences leads to the comprehension of the necessity of team-work and the interdependence of man. Organized society works for the welfare of all, and each must strive to be an intelligent part of the social group in which he is. Page Twenty-two

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Department of Mathematics Wlrs. lean M. Cowles. Miss Anna E. Syftestad. Bliss lllyrtle H. Stocking. Nliss Ethel F. Schilling. Nliss Harriet 0. Kruger. Nliss Florence I. Morris. lllr. Selmer C. Larson. lllr. Benjamin H. Ashman. Top Row: Larson, Ashman.7Bottom Row: Syftestad, Stocking, Cowles, Schilling, Krueger, Nlorris. MATHEMATICS The broad general aims of the work in mathematics are three in number: the practical, the disciplinary, and the cultural. All of these overlap more or less. The practical aim of the required work is again on the part of the student ot' such mathematical knowledge and skill as is likely to be Qlj of actual use in pursuing his work in other high school subjectsg C25 of actual use to those who need these elementary courses as a foundation for all further work in mathematics and related fields: C51 of actual use in the everyday life of the average citizen, in question of taxation and investment, etc., ability to understand and interpret correctly graphical representations ot' various kinds which abound in popular discussions of current scientihc, social, industrial, and practical problems. The practical aim of the elective courses in mathematics is primarily preparation on the part of the student for still more advanced work in pure mathematics, science, and engineering. ln regard to the disciplinary value, by which is meant mental training as distin- guished from the aquisition of certain specific skills, there is lack of agreement on the part of modern educators. The study of mathematics should train theistudent to think wellg to develop power of concentration, constructive and spatial imagin- ation, hahits of logical reasoning and organization, a love for precision, accuracy, truth, thoroughness, and a dislike for vagueness and incompleteness. The cultural value of the subject is less tangible and consequently more ditlicult to measure. A love for the symmetry and beauty of the geometrical forms common in nature, industry, and art should be fostered. Aquisition of ability to discriminate between the true and the false should be en ethical gain. An appreciation of the power of mathematics should be gained through a knowledge of the permanence of its laws, through a knowledge ofits origin and growth, and through a knowledge of the im- portant role it has played in the development of our civilization. Page Twenty-one

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Commercial Department hir. Leonard A. Yvaehler. Bliss illabel C. Dietrich. hliss hlartha C. Tkadlec. ixliss fllary E. l.athrop. bliss Belle R. Green. Bliss Ruth A. Bennett. I lvaeliler Dietrich Tkadlec Lathrop Green Bennett COMMERCIAL The enrollment in the Commercial Department, especially in shorthand and in typewriting classes, has been larger than in any year since 1921. Several new courses have been added, and a plan of assisting graduates towards securing positions and promotions has been worked out. During the year the department has had a twofold purpose: First, it proposed to make of its Commercial Course graduates not merely specialized otlice clerks, but broadly trained office workers who can adapt themselves to the many varied tasks that present themselves in every modern office. To this end the Commercial Course comprises a variety of required subjects, and to better accomplish this end Book- keeping l2lw and Otiice Training were installed as new subjects. Second, it proposed to aid those pupils in the General Course who had the foresight to appreciate the advantage which a knowledge of shorthand and typewriting will give to them as college students. The incentive usually otlered by the district commercial contest was absent this year due to non-participation of Madison schools. However, the awards offered by the various typewriter companies and by the shorthand publishers gave inducements for better work to a much wider circle of pupils. Dozens of such awards won by Central pupils have been on display in the glass exhibit case erected for the Com- mercial Department in the ground floor corridor. Page Twenty-three