Mondovi High School - Mirror Yearbook (Mondovi, WI)

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the doctor, the lawyer, and the clergyman must all have a working’ knowledge of mathematics. It is true (hat not all of the principles of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or calculus are used by each or any one of these classes of individuals, but mathematics has other values aside from furnishing practical facts. In the first place, the study of mathematics trains the mind to grasp a situation. Before one can solve a problem in arithmetic, state an equation in algebra, or prove a problem in geometry, he must thoroughly understand the conditions stated and be able to determine the various steps necessary for the solution. Again, the study of mathematics trains the mind to draw logical conclusions. Mathematical conclusions are accurate, definite and certain. They are not disputed by exports. Hence mathematics is termed, ‘‘the exact science.” The time may come when we will conclude that some of the substances we call elements are compounds, but we will never conclude that two and two make five. Common use may declare that there are more than eight parts of speech, but the square on the hypotenuse of a right angled triangle will always equal the sum of the squares on the other two sides; the area of a triangle will always equal one-half times the product of the bases and the altitude; and the volume of a pyramid will always equal the area of the base multiplied by one-third of the altitude. Thus accuracy becomes one of the valuable assets of the mathematical student, which will guard him from jumping at conclusions when the evidence is inadequate. TA the third place, mathematics affords an excellent opportunity for drill in speed. The mind must act rapidly in performing the fundamental operation of arithmetic or algebra as well as in giving the demonstration of a geometrical truth. The commercial age of today has no use for the individual who uses twice the necessary time to complete a given task. At almost even- turn in life the individual is required to make immediate decisions with little or no time for reflection. If one is in the habit of thinking quickly and accurately, his mind will not fail him in the time of greatest need. If any student comes to the close of his course in mathematics with no greater skill in grasping a situation; with no further development of his powers of reasoning and drawi g accurate conclusions: and with less rapidity of mind action than at first, his energy thus spent has been in vain. Success or failure is measured bv the results obtained. Lives are measured in deeds, not in years. A majority, at least, of the students in mathematics in Mondovi high school are entering into their work with the determination to make each day count for the greatest possible advancement and to increase their power to comprehend, to reason accurately, and to think quickly. There are about thirty students in the class in business arithmetic, which recites during the fourth period. One day the pupils became so interested in their w-ork that they were loath to dismiss for dinner. Thirty girls and twenty-four boys have been introduced to the trials of first year Algebra. The subject now under consideration is “factoring.” Thirty-seven Juniors, seventeen of whom are girls, are taxing their brains with original examples as well as demonstrating theorems. The last two weeks of this term will be devoted to a review of the semester’s work. Five Senior

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jfeltff IT T H E-M-jrR:! R- □ Graham shorthand has l een changed to the Gregg, although the advanced Graham class are continuing the Graham system with the exception of Clay Knowles, Rex Claflin, and Walter Amidon, who have changed to the Gregg system. Remington typewriting speed contests are being taken, the first one only a short time ago for the primary award, which a good share of the advanced class passed. W e hope to be able, by the end of the year, to secure tire primary, the efficiency, and the grand awards, which are all significant of the fact that our commercial department will stand the acid test with any first class business college. (On the previous page is shown a picture of one of typewriting clause, wr.ting from dictation.) Domestic Science. Blanche H. Dodge. Instructor. Domestic Science has come to be recognized as an important factor in a girl's education. It is no longer an experiment. Xo mistake can be made in teaching a girl cooking, sewing, general hygiene, and the planning of meals. The course is practically a new one in the schools, having been introduced three years ago. The work begins in the sixth grade and continues through the second year in high school. The work is compulsory in the grades, but elective in the high school. The grade work is given on alternate days during the week. Practical work in cooking and serving, suited to home needs, is given. The high school work is given two periods daily, and not only continues the practical work offered in the grades, but takes up in addition the study of foods, the serving of meals, and household management. Domestic Science Principles and Applications has been introduced as a text in the high school. This text does away with the keeping of elaborate note books on the part of the pupils, saves the time used in dictating notes, and makes the work more permanent and lasting throughout. The school work is being correlated with the home work and credit is given for duties and work performed at home. A report is handed in every two weeks of the home work which the student has done. This must be signed by the parent or guardian. The aim of the department is to give the girls practical and cultural ideas which will help them in their homes. (The picture on the previous page shows the Sophomore Domestic Science class.) Mathematics. C. Floyd Hester, Instructor. With the exception of English, mathematics has a greater direct practical value than any other subject. It is intimately connected with the successful conduct of the affaire of every day life. The farmer, the merchant, the engineer,

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boys are plowing their way toward the end of Solid Geometry. Several of their comrades had planned to join them but were hindered on account of conflicts with other subjects. The |uintet has learned how to compute the lateral area, the total area, and the volume of a prism, a cylinder, a pyramid, a frustum of a pyramid, a cone, and a frustum of a cone. The sphere will be studied next. A mathematical magazine states that instruction in mathematics has in general the important duty of co-operating in the development of the power of thought of the pupils, to lead them to the formation of independent judgments, to facilitate the understanding of the laws of nature, and no less than any other branch of instruction, to cultivate the clear expression of thoughts in correct language. Teachers' Training. Principal D. A. Swartz. Instructor. The Teachers’ Training Course is one of the most practical and most popular of the several vocational courses offered in our high school. It is practical because it trains directly for the job. Every graduate, who desires to teach will have a position at an initial salary perhaps greater Uian could be commanded in most other lines of work. The popularity of the course is manifested by the fact that thirty are enrolled in it in the vaiious years. Students who complete the course in the Mondovi high sc!tool are not required to take the advanced professional training required by law of inexperienced teachers. Four years of English are required in the course. Otherwise than that English is obligatory, the first two years of the teachers Course is the same as that required in the other courses. In the third year, • however, a complete unit is given to reviews of common school branches, such as English Grammar, History, Geography and Arithmetic. In the Senior year there is a full unit of psychology theory and art and School Management, besides a semester of practice teaching under supervision. In the Theory and Art class are worked out material and methods of presentation in the various subjects to be taught in the rulal school. In the practice teaching this knowledge is put into actual practice under the direct daily supervision of both Principal Swartz and the grade teacher in whose room the practicing is done. Students are required to make out daily lesson plans which must meet the approval of both supervisors. Tins lesson plan making compels the student teacher to carefully prepare her lesson, organize and arrange her facts, and originate methods and devices for presenting the work in a skillful and interesting manner. In the administration of this course we assume that we have a problem of education in the country which is separate and distinct from that in the city- that educational standards, material, and to some extent methods u. instruction must of necessity differ from the same as applied to urban