Ranchester High School - Rustler Yearbook (Ranchester, WY)

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23 THE REFLECTOR INTERM EDI ATE DEI A RTM ENT Slogan— Our very best every day.” During the 1926-1927 term grades three, four and five have had an enrollment which varied from twenty to twenty-six. At present we have twenty-three pupils in this room, seven in the third grade, eight in the fourth, and eight in the fifth. Because of an epidemic of influenza, and later one of measles, only two have records of perfect attendance. The term, for the most part, has been one of pleasant, busy days, with work, interest, and pleasure characteriz- ing each. Individual progress in the various branches has been very gratifying as the days have passed. The new course of study had added fresh and different material for the daily work, which was welcomed by both pupils and teacher. A few of the important accomplishments of the year are as follows: In arithmetic, the third grade has had constant practice and drill in the four fundamental operations, with “carrying and borrowing.” Roman numerals, notation, and numeration have also been stressed. The fourth grade has mastered multi- plication, with two and three numbers in the multiplier, and long division. The new work for the fifth grade is composed of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of fractions and work with denominate numbers. For all, review and practice in the work of preceeding grades, with gradually increas- ing difficulty in all operations, has been the daily program. Our Wyoming History and Geopraphy which is a part of the new Course of Study, has held the interest of the third and fourth grades in an amazing manner. Stories of the early explorers, scouts, pony express, riders, pioneers and Indian wars, and especially the stories of the Bozeman Trail, have been of intense interest. The children have brought clippings from magazines and newspapers and pictures from advertisements until we have an attractive collection for the bulletin board and for use in making histoi r booklets. Work in reading and literature has been composed of silent reading, group reading, and class reading. The pupils have done much home reading for book reports. Many of the books on the reading list have been furnished for the school library, and liberal use has been made of the Carnegie Library in Sheridan. Paragraphing, correct usage, picture study, letter writing, oral and written composition, and memorization have characterized the language work. Large framed prints of two of the pictures studied, “The Horse Fair”, by Bonheur and “The Windmill”, by Ruysdael, were purchased with money obtained by a bake sale, toward which the patrons gave liberally. Our progress in penmanship is also worthy of mention. Many of the pupils look forward to receiving Palmer buttons when the prepared lessons are sent to the Palmer Company. Intermediate Room

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22 THE REFLECTOR GRAMMAR DEPARTMENT Slogan—“Looking Forward” In the sixth, seventh and eighth grades work for the year was planned to carry out two major objectives: The first of these was the improvement of oral English, and the second, the securing of greater comprehension in reading. We feel that creditable progress has been made in each objective. The improvement in oral expression has been made through daily drills in correct language forms. Oral reports on current events and other topics of general interest have been made, and some practice in story- telling and debating has been given as part of the course. The written work in English has been correlated with History and reading, and the classes have written excel- lent compositions on historical subjects as well as several very good book reviews. The work in reading has included several of the classics in all of which comprehension tests have been made. The pupils in each of the three grades in this room have done much outside reading from books furnished us by the Carnegie Library of Sheridan. Through the library we are able to get excellent books which has been a means of creating a taste for good reading in this room. The work in arithmetic has been made as practical as possible. Much practice in the fundamentals has been given by means of the Studebaker Drill material and a fair degree of speed and accuracy has been achieved. The sixth and seventh grades have both done excellent work in geography. The sixth grade has written to all parts of the United States and to Canada and Alaska for materials for study of industries and products. Much interesting material has been gathered and the interest in the class work has been stimulated as a result of these letters. The seventh grade has studied Europe and Austrialia, emphasizing climatic belts and comparisons with the geography of North America. The year’s work in spelling has been based on the Horn-Ashbaugh text. The tests given during the term have shown a high average of achievement in this branch. The problem method has been emphasized in the work in History. The sixth and eighth grades have done outstanding work in this course. The seventh grade, made up entirely of boys, has had two periods each week in manual training, which they have greatly enjoyed and in which each has made uniformly excellent grades. The art work for the year has been arranged to include free-hand drawing, poster-making, and printing, in which some very good work has also been done. Much interest has also been taken in map, especially those of the industrial type. CAROLYN GRAFF University of Wyoming Grammar Room

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24 THE REFLECTOR PRIMARY DEPARTMENT Slogan—“Busy Workers” September 6th, 1926, the First and Second grades entered the room which was to be our school-home for nine months. There were twenty of us then, twelve of which were beginners. Our first task was to get acquainted. Next, we learned to play together; thus de- veloping a home atmosphere of good fellowship. Our work like our play began the first day. Stories formed a basis for reading lessons. Social experience began with games. Only seat work of educational value was used. Training in Hygiene began with a talk about cleanliness. That first day we began the task of learning to become efficient citizens. One object of intense interest all year was the sand table. At appropriate times during the year appeared the Wyoming Farm, the landing of Columbus, a Pilgrim settlement, a Christmas scene, the land of the Eskimos and Holland. Language, History and Geography lessons accompanied these scenes. Our Mothers’ Visiting Day was well attended and it seemed to strengthen the feeling of cooperation between the home and the school. At Christmas time our room took part in the school program. VVe also gave an informal patriotic program in February ..... with the Third, Fourth and Fifth grades. The school exhibit motivated much work in the spring months. Each child tried to do his best work to make our exhibit interesting and successful. Our greatest accomplishment for the year was in Reading. Both First and Second grades acquired a firm reading foundation. Oral reading was stressed to obtain expressive oral readers and silent reading was stressed to stimulate thinking. By becoming strong, independent readers, the children opened for themselves, a world of iterature which they could enjoy. VVe read all the books available. Our library table was in constant use. Books from the County Library were obtained for special group-reading classes. By the end of the year nearly all the twenty-five, children in our room could read stories independently from both school and library books. From the standpoint of both teacher and pupils, we feel that this school year has been successful. Primary Room