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

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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-

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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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--'asf 22139 THE GARNATION ment may be, it does not matter how much time may be given to the work, if the boys in taking the work do not wish to receive any benefit, the gym itself is of little avail. McKinley boys are anxious for development and therefore co-operate with the efficient instructors for the best possible results. GIRLS' GYM NE. of the most popular departments at McKinley is the girls' gymnasium, which is under the care of our excellent instructors, the Misses Watt and Varian. Interest has been aroused in the girls' gymnasium classes by the organization of baseball teams. The purpose of the teams besides making gymnasium work more interesting for our girls, is to teach them a few rules of the game, so that, when they witness the interschol- astic contests, they may understand the plays. Although four years of physical training is required, the work does not become tiresome, but is pleasant exercise and sport, when taken under the guidance of such able instructors as ours. There is a special class for girls, which meets during the seventh period, and which is made up of the girls who have shown that their work is above the average and of those girls who are interested in dancing. There is also a class of this sort which meets during the first period and is, for the most part, not quite so advanced as the seventh period class. ln these classes Rus- sian bar exercises are given and also some floor work, consisting of simple combinations, although few dances are attempted. Those girls whose school work is good may get special permis- sion to take gymnasium work every day from the office. i ln all gymnasium classes work must be taken twice a week during all four years. lt is needless to say that physical training is just as important to the body as is study to the mind. There is nothing more beneficial than exercise properly taken, and since athletics have played so great a part in school life, the boys and girls of the country have been better prepared to take their places in the social or business world. M. B. 2 1- ,f p QAYLIW . .fin g liibl ,gates . 59,215 ' :sw