Murphy High School - Mohian Yearbook (Mobile, AL)

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19-THE MOHIAN-33 Sc later: Brown. B. A.: Cox. B. A.: DoukIah, B. Ed.. B. S.; Moon. B. A. Murphy. B. A.; d’Ornella . B. A.: Pillanii. U. S. M. A.; Vautthan. B. A. The Mathematics Department The Mathematics department of Murphy high school consists of fourteen teach- ers and about five-hundred pupils in arithmetic and 1000 in the other branches of mathematics. These branches include two years of algebra, one and one-half years of geometry, one-half year of trigonometry and one year of arithmetic. Although mathematics is not required for graduation it is taken by nearly every student for at least one year while the ones that are going to college take two years or more. This course is as extensive as given in any high school in the country, except technical high schools and a student who takes four years of mathematics can enter any school without an examination in mathematics except, the highest technical schools such as Annapolis, West Point, and Massachusetts School of Technology. The aim of the department is well described in the Report on the Reorganization of Mathematics in Secondary Education: “The primary purpose of the teaching of mathematics should be to develop those powers of understanding and of analyizing relations of quantity and of space which are necessary to an appreciation of the progress of civilization in its various aspects, and to develop those habits of thought and of action which will make these powers effective in the life of the individual. PAGE 24

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19-TH E M O H I A N-33 i Duffee; Hcustis; Jones. B. A.: Manning. B. A.: Kichards. B. A. Rcthneb; B. S.: Shepard. B. A.: Spradlin. B. S.: Tail. B. A.; Venman. B. A. The Language Department The Latin department has three full time teachers: Misses Duffee, Heustis, and Tait, with Miss Richards assisting with two classes. The Latin work is intended to cooperate with English, by enlarging its vocabulary, by tracing the relationship be- tween Latin and English words, and by stressing technical English grammar; with History, by furnishing a background of Roman life, literature, and military achieve- ments; with the Art department by its architecture, sculptures, road and bridge building. But perhaps the greatest claim that Latin has for recognition in the modern curriculm is its cultural motive to add to the practical and commercial side of edu- cation and a subject which may lead to a purely intellectual pleasure or satisfaction— “Art for art’s sake.” Four years of Spanish are offered. The first two years are devoted to the study of Spanish and Spanish-American customs and to practice in understanding and expressing thought in the language. In the third and fourth years Spanish literature is studied. Interest in the language is maintained by the reading ol Spanish newspapers and magazines by correspondence with students in Spanish- speaking countries and by participation in the programs of “El Club Hispanoameri- cano.” Three years of instruction are offered here in French. In the first year grammar is stressed along with the reading of simple stories. In the second year grammar is continued but more emphasis is placed on the reading of a four act play and an historical novel. The third year offers principally reading of books and plays together with French conversation and composition based on the texts. PAGE 23

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i9-THE MOHIAN-33 Hridirewater. U. Ed.; Brimm, B. S.: Chcape. B. S.; Dobbins: Greer. B. S. Haverman; McGhee, B. S.; Sitz. B. S.; Thomason. M. A. The Physical Education Department The progressive physical education program today tries to combine physical and mental education. It is being realized that the child can not be taken apart and each part developed independently of any other part. The child must be developed as a whole. Therefore the aims and objectives in Physical Education and Education should be the same. We can not take on education but education must come from working desires and instincts, it is an internal development. The finer things in manhood and womanhood can not come from formal calisthenics-gymnastics but controlled situa- tions must exist where the boy or girl will have a chance to react to those situations in the desired way with a resultant satisfaction. Our Physical Education program incorporates the aims of general Education, the activities are based on the finding of a physical examination given to each pupil taking Physical Education. Advice is given on the improvement and corection of acquired or inherited defects. Pupils are required to attend health lectures once each week. These lectures are supple- mented with visual aids. Special lunches are provided for the decidedly under- nourished. A heavy Intra-mural program is sponsored so that all pupils in school can have an opportunity to play and learn how to take advantage of leisure time in later years. In short, we try to teach a wholesome healthful way of living and to take advantage of the finer offerings of life. PAGE 25