Rensselaer High School - Chaos Yearbook (Rensselaer, IN)

Page 16 text:

for which the I). A. R. in town has graciously offered two prizes. The department has two rooms for its use. one kitchen equipped for twenty girls and a combination sewing and dining room. All of the equipment was secured at a very nominal sum through the courtesy and interest of some of the town merchants. German NAOMI GREGG, A. B. Dc Pauw University. German Department. With the beginning of thus year the course in German was increased from one to two years. It has long been conceded that youth is the best time to learn any foreign language, and children who hear it spoken when they arc learning to talk will acquire it naturally. As yet it has not been possible to begin the study of German in the primary grades, but a step was taken in this direction when it was made a permanent part of the eighth grade course last year. Freshmen may elect it an take it the following years. The first year is devoted to a study of the fundamentals of grammer with exercises, vocabularies ami supplementary reading. In the upper classes more attention is given to the literary side. Sliort stories from trite best German writers arc read four days each week and the fifth is used for composition, prose and syntax. Thruout the whole course the aim is to give the pupil not only a reading knowledge, a vocabulary and a good accent in so far it is possible for foreigners to acquire this, but also to acquaint them to a certain extent with the life, customs, history ami literature of Germany. “Who is that tall, good looking young fellow iflatljcmattts L. WAIVE MALLORY, A. B. ObcrKn College. EDITH EASTHAM, Assistant. Graduate of Indiana State Normal. Due to changes in educational ideas the Mathematics requirement has been revised this year. At the present time only two and one-half years of this subject arc required. Algebra in the Freshman year is followed by Plane Geometry in the Sophomore year. The first semester of the Junior year is devoted to advanced Algebra. This year Commercial Arithmetic was given the second semester as an elective open to both Juniors and Seniors. Many elected it probably because, of all the “snaps” they believed it to be the easiest. We have made an effort this year to make Plane Geometry a course which will devolop the reason, rather than the memory. How far we have succeeded remains to be seen. To the sorrow (?) of many. Solid Geometry is not offered. The so-called practical” departments such as Agriculture. Manual Training and Domestic Science issued an ultimatum that it should go, and go it did. PACE FOURTEEN over there?” “Prof. Coe.”—At the Stock Show.

Page 15 text:

Jtomftftit Science Eoom “Who?”—Gaylord Long. PACK THIRTEEN Doinrsttr Science ETHEL O. DYER. B. S. Purdue University. Along with the industrial educational movement we have Home Economics being introduced in our schools. Home Economics deals with l’he science of the household and stands for the ideal home life of today, made ideal by scientific knowledge and ability to do well the common tasks of the household. Domestic Science, as a definite study has for its aim the imparting of that knowledge and skill that will change household drudgery into dignified labor. The vocational trend in education t xtay docs not minimize rhe value of the fundamental general education in any way. Rather, its aim at all times is close correlation with other subjects, to which it brings the additional impetus of linking the school with life. In Rensselaer the Domestic Science work begins in the sixth grade and continues as a part credit subject through the freshman year in high school and is given again in the Senior year as a full credit subject. The work consists of practical cooking and sewing, chemistry of nutrition and a study of textiles, house sanitation and decoration. All the sewng work is along practical lines. The Seniors finish their work by the making of their graduation dresses.

Page 17 text:

Commercial Commercial Department Room F. I). BURCHARD, A. B. M. Accls. Marion Business University Nebraska State Normal. The Commercial Course is becoming a fixed and permanent factor in the high schools of the country. It is the outgrowth of the demand for something practical, that is pervading the atmosphere of the schoolrooms of today. And well does it fill the place to which it is called. Too often one finds the commercial school of the old type filled with half-matured students, who have not the proper foundation upon which to build a good, practical education. The student going directly from the grades to the business college, as is often the ease, and there taking a short-order course, is not equal to the task of satisfying the college bred business and professional men upon whom lie must depend for employment. 'Hie high school offers the combined advantage of a thoroly practical education and a good academic course. Rensselaer, pursuant to her progressive policy along general educational lines, has gone a long step forward in establishing this course. Our work along this line is but in its infancy, but this first year’s work is demonstrating fully the jiopularity of such an innovation. We now have the encouraging enrollment, in the various classes of this course, of something like fifty different students. PAGE FIFTEEN Well, now, just supposin’ that- ■Mr. Dean in history.