Abraham Lincoln Junior High School - Annual Yearbook (Rockford, IL)

Page 13 text:

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMEN T Laura Larson, Karl Hein, Estella Noller, Susan Worster, Katharine Smith, Richard Evans, Russell J. Erb. Margaret Fitzgerald, Mary Burchfield. Income tax blanks will possess no difficulties for these mathematicians who can figure out 'most anything. I I I I I I I I I On my many journeys through the land of Lincolnia, I found the mathe- matics department one of my most interesting points of observation. This study is required in the seventh and eighth grades, and well it may be, for we all know at least simple arithmetic is used constantly in every day life. While vis- iting one seventh grade class, I heard the word hexagon used, along with some other equally queer words. I later discovered that these were just common geometrical terms to name the different figures used. The pupils learn such practical things as the writing of checks, the reading of meters, and the making of intricate designs with geometric tools. This train- ing gives the pupils the advantage and satisfaction of solving difficult problems. In the eighth grade enough algebra is given to acquaint the pupils with the general character of the subject, and thus assist them in making up their minds Whether or not they should take aglebra as a ninth grade elective. Algebra seems to be one of the most popular of elective subjects in the ninth grade. It requires some good hard work on the part of the pupils, but that doesn't seem to have harmed any of them yet. This work is most useful in problems of everyday living. I know from my own experience that life gives many practical applications of negative numbers.

Page 12 text:

THE ADMINISTRATION Mr. Harry C, Muth, principal: Pearl Anderson, Clerk; Blanche Bowman, Vice-principol; Marian Retzlaw, clerk; Lucille Born, bookkeeper. Marion Seal, librarian; Marion Dogncm, nurse; Jessie Hmtness, attendance officer. The general office, with Mr. Muth's and Miss Bowman's offices adjoining, is the center of life in our school. I found that the government of this land was most efficient and well or- ganized. Its activities are centered around Mr. Muth and his assistants. In the centred office are kept the records of all citizens. Here attendance is checked and discipline meted out. These offices are always open to those who need helpful guidance and assistance. To those who are sick the nearby dispensary is o haven. Teeth, sight, hear- ing, and general health are examined here. Miss Dogncm, the nurse, is always ready to core for those who come to her seeking aid. If the citizens need medical or dental care, their parents are notified cmd advised as to the procedure they should follow. A welcome period each day, I found, was the study hour in the library which all ninth graders enjoy. Other groups are given the privilege of going to the library to secure books and to find material for their work. Miss Seal, the librarian, is most kind in her readiness to assist those in quest of information. ' ....l Although this land has a population of nearly two thousand, the absence of any one is immediately noticed. Mrs. Hortness, the attendance officer, calls at the home of any missing citizen whose absence is not explained, to discover Why he is away from his usual haunts. Her work is otnother evidence of the interest and care which the government of this land has for each of the citizens.

Page 14 text:

SOCIAL SCIENCE Stanley Griizbaugh, Lucille Beutel, Sally Garde, Gladys Shaw, Iohn Ekeberg, Marguerite Quinn, Marian Peters. Muriel Lee, Grace W. Ellis! Violet Peterson, Vivian Swanson. The seventh grade social science classes study southern lands. ---'- Walking through this strange land, I heard the queerest sounds imaginable. Deciding to investigate, I found myself among the people of Social Science. rI'he group I came upon were studying the geography of lands near and below the equator. I was told that all newcomers to this land made this study. rThey learn about the geographical and climatic conditions of the lands and of their products. With their study they acquire a better understanding of the political and industrial relations between countries. All of a sudden a sharp noise startled me. Gathering their materials to- gether, out this class rushed and another came in. Upon inquiry I learned that these newcomers were second year citizens, studying the history of United States from the time of Liet Erickson down to the present day. With vivid word pictures they are taught about the colonization of the country, of the struggle for independence, of the growth of the democratic form of government, and, finally, of the problems and events of the present. The next group to enter were ninth graders. Soon they were in the midst of a heated debate on labor conditions of the country. As I listened, I realized that they had been well instructed on the subject and knew whereof they spoke. Looking through one of their text-books, I found that they studied the com- munity and its problems, economic relations in business, and the government of the nation. Truly, I thought, no course could be more important in the mak- ing of good citizens in this world.