Ranchester High School - Rustler Yearbook (Ranchester, WY)

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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

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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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THE REFLECTOR 25 THE EARLY CREEK SCHOOL Slogan— Not for School but for life we learn” The Early Creek Schoolhouse was erected in the spring of 1918 by S. Casset and Shaddock. Prior to that time the children of the community attended the school at Slater Creek. This schoolhouse was not in district 33 and was not suitably located and equip- ped. In view of these circumstances a new building was erected and equipped on the present site. School has been held there since that time with the exception of the school year of 1920-1921, when the children were transported to Ranchester in an effort to consolidate the district. This plan was unsuccessful due, doubtless, to the long distance, rough roads, and severe winter. Early Creek is located three and one-half miles north of Ranchester. It is situated as nearly as is prac- ticable in the center of the community. It is not near the public road. At present there are nine children enrolled in the school, representing the first, second, third, fifth and seventh grades and it is the earnest desire of the teacher that they grow as rapidly along intellectual, moral and spiritual lines as it has been his pleasure to see them grow physicially. On the Thursday before Christmas, the school enter- tained with a program in which all the boys and girls performed admirably. At this time the children all received the treat which the public spirited citizens of the village and surrounding country furnished. The school takes this opportunity to thank the contributors for this fine treat. All these things tend to brighten the school life and make it a more pleasant and inter- esting place. Our Valentine program was well attended. One of the patrons gave the school a large box of pop corn balls which added a festive1 atmosphere to the occasion. An epidemic of measels broke up the school routine for a short time. The pupils have made notable progress in reading during the year and if they continue to improve so rapidity another year will find them all rapid and accurate readers. Nice progress is also being made in music. Every pupil in our school is a singer. Almost every day we go through a set of exercises from which the pupils derive much profit and enjoyment. The time spent upon art and drawing brought very gratifying results. Taken all in all the school year has been thus far very successful and pleasant, a year which both pupils and teacher will recall with many fond memories. PHILIP S. HKICIIT Wittenberg Normal Coll? ' I Oh io Normal Diploma Early Creek School