McKinley High School - Nugget Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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'V I ...gf 20 jet- THE CARNATION are in great demand. French and German are both used to a great extent in America and Europe. Latin, called a dead language, is the best means to procure a foundation for any other language. Many more advantages could be pointed out, but the main thing is that the study will help you advance, and that is sufficient. The number of pupils taking the various languages varies. The largest number is found in the Spanish departments, the sec- ond largest is in the French Department, then the Latin Depart- ment, and last the German Department. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the German language has only been taught the past few terms on account of the war. lt doesn't matter so much the language you take, as it does the good you receive from it. HISTORY DEPARTMENT ISTORY at McKinley High is each year increasing in its Value and extensiveness. lt is now possible to take his- tory as a major study. The histories now offered are: lndustrial, Ancient, Medieval, English, Modern and American. These courses offer the students an extensive study in history which is of great value to them in University. The amount of History required in most cases is one year, that being Modern and American in the last two terms of school. Most pupils, however, take at least two years of history and many are majoring in this important subject, taking the full three years. ln the study of History one not only learns of the past, but also learns the relation of the past to the present, which is es- sential in order to understand conditions of today. The histories excluding Industrial cover the period from the ancient ,to present day happenings. They deal with the important events which f in any way affect the present history of the world, and give one a broader conception of the life, habits, and governments in other nations. MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT HE pupil' who takes mathematics at McKinley is certain to be repaid for the time and effort he puts into the study of this subject, since he has the advantage of attending a school where the staff of teachers is most capable, and where the field of subjects is unusually broad. There is general mathematics for the student who wishes to obtain a general and miscellaneous knowledge of algebra and geometry in a short timeg this course may be completed in a year. It is especially adapted to the needs of the pupil taking a two-year course. One may make a more de- tailed and lengthy study of elementary algebra by taking a year of it. The same thing is true of geometry. For the scholar de- siring to continue, there are two terms of advanced algebra and another of solid geometry offered. There is, too, a term of plane trigonometry available. Likewise, the commercial pupil is trained in rapid calculation and the like by the study of commercial arithmetic. Thus one may see that the study of mathematics at McKinley affords a strong foundation. One is fitted for the mathematical work encountered in business by commercial arithmeticg or, by longer study in this field-by studying algebra for four terms, geometry for three, and trigonometry for one, for example- one is equipped for college work in preparing for a profession. But even to anyone who does not contemplate the direct use of mathematics in his life occupation, its value is very great. One's mind is always actively employed while solving a problem. Moreover, accuracy is cultivated, and the reasoning powers de-

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THE GARNATIQN 4119134-. English of his work, just as the letters dictated by a high execu- tive are free from mistakes in grammar. For that matter, no one who had but a limited knowledge of English would be able to prepare for such a position. My second assertion is not likely to be questioned. As for the third, there are only a few of us who do not derive great pleasure from reading, and it is certainly impossible to enjoy good books without the ability, afforded by English, to understand them. The courses in this subject offered at our school meet all the requirements mentioned above. English one and two, as the study during the first and second terms is popularly called, are practical in nature. One's knowledge of grade school grammar is reviewed and increased. Certain books are also studied. English three is entirely devoted to composition work in descrip- tion, narration and exposition. English four consists of the study of literature, The Merchant of Venice and The Ancient Mariner being read. ln English five one continues the work of English three. Everyone must participate in a debate. After the short story has been studied extensively, each pupil must write one of these, strictly original, of course. Burke's Speech and Macbeth are not likely to be forgotten by those who have completed their sixth term in English, another literature course. English seven and eight are given over to the study of English literature from the Twelfth Century to the present time. They are not compulsory, and are purely cultural. There are two other features met with in every term of English. Each pupil must read at least two books and report upon' them. The authors are selected, consequently one is re- stricted in his reading, which must be done outside of class. The other feature is the memorizing of not less than one hundred lines of poetry, likewise by selected writers, each semester. A course in public speaking is also offered. This training is, of course, invaluable to certain pupils, and it will be a great benefit to anyone. It will be seen that the courses in English afforded us are valuable, supplying knowledge which is certainly exceedingly useful in later life as well as at the present time. FOREIGN LANGUAGES KgAQt!, have offered to us at McKinley courses in Spanish, Latin, French and German. These languages can be taken from two to four years, but you will probably not be satisfied with only two years of any of these languages. It is at the end of this time that you begin to enjoy the subject. The first year you are introduced to the languageg the second year you become acquainted with itg the third year you become friendlier, and the fourth year you become true pals. The pupils who take a language for two years miss the best part of it. lt takes at least two years to get a general idea of the vocabulary and grammar of the language, but, after having it, you cannot help but enjoy the work. The third and fourth years you read stories and poems, with a little grammar in be- tween, but on the whole your lessons are like social recitations. Everyone enjoys listening to a book report in an English class, and this is the same kind of work. You learn the ways and customs of the people, their manners and their government and their life in general. To tell you about the foreign language department, and not to tell you about the advantages you receive, for, after all, that's what interests you, is unfair. D6 you realize that the language taken at McKinley is going to help you advance more rapidly in the business world? Do you know that foreign languages help you, not only to speak English better, but to speak it with more ease and grace? The world of today needs men and women who speak a foreign language more than ever. We are trading with Mexico, which means that Spanish speaking people

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THE CARNATION ...gil Zl veloped. This is true in so great a degree in no other subject. Every lVlcKinleyite should avail himself of the opportunity to become acquainted with this important study, for, as has been said, he will derive no small benefit from the work. THE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT F ERI-IAPS one of the most interesting groups of subjects taught in the curricula of McKinley High School is the sciences. Practical and theoretical, somewhat difficult, yet interesting, this work is quite popular with all pupils who really make a serious study of it. Included are biology, physics, chemistry, physiography, and general science. The latter is a general mixture of many topics, usually taken by those who do not intend to take as much science in later terms as might be possible. Botany is the study of plant lifeg physiology deals with animal lifeg and the two are included under the head of biology. Three terms of physics are offered. ln the first, one takes up machines, properties of gases and of liquids, accelera- tion, and elementary principles. ln the second, magnetism, heat, electricity and light are discussedg while the third includes a de- tailed study of topics already given attention. ln chemistry one and two, one learns much concerning properties of metals and other elements and their compounds, but chemistry three, spent almost entirely in the laboratory, deals with analysis. This is probably the most interesting subject one can take at high school, if he is the least bit scientifically inclined. Physiography may be termed physical geography. The origination of hills and valleys and other pleasurable work is taken up. The values of the above studies are self-evident. One who intends to follow any scientific calling can get an excellent founda- tion for his work right here at McKinley. Be sure not to let this opportunity slip by. THE BOYS' GYM i. HE boys of McKinley, under the direction of Mr. Voss and Dr. Grueb, have outlined a definite program from which they receive the most benefit and at the same time the most pleasure possible. Of course, all the gymnasium work at McKinley is under a great handicap due to the lack of space and apparatus. The large gym, which contains a very limited amount of equipment is entirely too small for the proper' physical advancement. The small gym is also inadequate for the size of the classes and the work that should be done. lVlcKinley, nevertheless, taking the situation as it is, has de- veloped a system in gymnasium work which tends to create an interest in and a desire for the work. The classes are so arranged that the boys of the same term are placed together. During the year the following events are taken as outside work: Running high jump, running broad jump, standing broad jump, and shot put. The boys are divided into three classes, the midgets, juniors and seniors, so that boys of the same size and age will compete against each other. Indoor baseball is played each term, as long as the weather will permit. In the winter, as indoor work, the following events are made competitive: Front pull up, push up, pole climbing, and work on the horizontal bars. At the end of each term the scores made in all the events are added and the boys are ranked accordingly. The gymnasium department of lVlcKinley is not as adequate as it should be for the size of the school. The average high school boy does not receive the proper amount of physical edu- cation. The tendency is to limit the training to the small group of boys competing in interscholastic athletics. Of course, it would be desirable to have more time each week for gymnasium work. It would be well to have a swimming pool and many more con- veniences. However, conditions exist which prevent a model department. Nevertheless, no matter how efficient the depart-