Bedford High School - Pioneer Yearbook (Bedford, IN)

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= The H- r e- 2-H = COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL ARITHMETIC Commercial arithmetic is one of the most beneficial subjects given in the school. It is given as a separate elective subject, open to any who wish to take it. The advocate of Art Training may inquire concerning the practical value of Commercial Arithmetic. We answer in such words. It is to train thepupipl to figure correctly, easily and rapidly, and should tit him to solve the problems that arise in the ordinary course of business.” The intellectual part is developed in the pupil’s mind by mental problems, questions and statements: therefore, rules and cases are superseded by development exercises which will make him thoughtful and independent. It enables the pupil upon sight of a problem to ascertain the principle that is involved and then by a process of reasoning determine the result. To this end. modern Commercial Arithmetic gives a brief review of the fundamental operations, fractions and decimals, introducing short practical methods. The mechanical | art of arithmetic is illustrated and explained by diagrams, examples, operations and notes. The text now in use is by T. J. Schneck. and is the most practical modern arithmetic that has yet been introduced. The purpose is to present a line of work that would give the pupil such instructions as he needs and to set them forth in the manner in which he will meet them in the business world of today. COMMERCIAL GEOGRAPHY Commercial Geography is a most interesting subject, given as an elective. It deals with commercial products, economics applied to commercial products and the history of commerce. The facts of commerce are treated as the effect of conditions that determine the quality and quantity of trade. Geographic and many other controlling influences, such as inventions and means of transportation, are therefore made prominent. It has been sought to place orderly and cumulative emphasis on general principles: to concentrate as far as possible the treatmentt of each topic: to use sparingly statistics of temporary value: and to present industry and commerce as organic, evolutionary and world embracing topics, responding to natural conditions and to the spirit of discovery and invention and closely interwoven with the higher life of man. The plan followed has been to treat the commerce of each country under the following heads: first the physical basis: second, the people: third, the products: and fourth, the trade. In dealing with other countries emphasis has been laid on their trade relations with the United States. In the last two years current events, especially the European war have influenced commerce very much. Special stress is given to the effects of these foreign affairs on the resources and the trade of the United States. 17

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16 L BOTANY LABORATORY

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Tb fW m P = PHYSICS m Physics is a very important and interesting science. One year in this department is ©tiered as an elective. The work consists of a combination of oral instruction, the study of a text book and lal oratory work. By oral instruction the pupil is enabled to see just what phenomena are to lie the subject of each study. From the text book he may obtain a logical ami accurate outline of the facts and explanations, with formulated statements of definitions and principles relating to the subject. The purpose of the laboratory work is three fold: To illustrate the general principles of the science and thus to impress them more deeply upon the mind, to acquaint the student with experimental methods of reaching and verifying the truth: to cultivate the habit of thoughtful observation, and the power to reason logically and to express thought correctly. CHfc’llSTRy • .'T- Mr. R. K. NKWI.ANI) Chemistry is a branch of natural science. It deals with the projierties of matter, the changes which affect the composition of matter, with numerous laws and theories, and with the manufacture of a vast number of different substances indispensable to the welfare of mankind. It is largely a study of chemical changes. This branch of study involves the combination of oral instruction, the study of a text book, and laboratory work. We now have a laboratory on the third floor of the building, well equipped for this work. Only one year of chemistry is offered. 18