Springfield High School - Capitoline Yearbook (Springfield, IL)

Page 19 text:

::::::::::::q::.:::'2?FS1y'E?EEi:T5,:-E-Er n Y x ' -f I:E5E'EF:.:g::f:,:p::::i:::-- :::::n Q ,Zig- lu, Q Elf- - 0 116 .... . A .na w e T .2 -- -'------- -111-011 11111-:F -ZZIIIZZZIZIIIIIZZZZZI ,L Erpartmrnt nf German HE reading of much simple prose, the mastery of an active vocab- ulary, the learning of synonyms, ear-training and free reproduction are the chief ends hoped for in the first two years in German. Original questions and short themes upon the text read, stimulate interest. Later, independent reading is encouraged. Grammatical principles are constantly reviewed. Brnartmvnt nf HE aim of the commercial course is to prepare individuals to per- form not only vocational tasks efficiently, but also to appreciate that which makes life richer and more sig- nificant. The present curriculum for commerce enables a student to take a business course, a stenographic course, or a gen- eral commercial course. Students who in later life intend to become mer- chants, manufacturers or sharers of commerce in another way, elect the business course, those desiring office positions choose either of the other two courses. During the first semester of this school year, there were 587 stu- dents enrolled in these courses. More were desirous of entering the many classes-especially the typewriting and penmanship classes-but could not do so through lack of room to accommo- date them. The large number enrolled, Instruction in German is this year for the first time given in the Lawrence, Feitshans, Enos and Converse Junior High Schools, beginning in three of these in the seventh grade, thus proving that there is today a greater interest in the study of German in Springfield than ever before. Glnmmrrrr the enthusiasm manifested, and the re- sults obtained, attest to the far-reach- ing value of commercial education for prospective business men and women of the Springfield High School. The course of study for the coming year of the Department of Commerce has been adjusted to meet the needs of the hour: The Gregg system of short- hand will be introduced, revised texts adopted, and a salesmanship course may be commenced. Modern desks have al- ready been placed in the typewriting room, and more typewriting machines will be purchased. Plans are being formulated for rendering more effective co-operation between business-as it is in Springfield--and education for the training of workers and leaders in in- dustry. In short, every effort in the future will be made to put into effect constructive proposals that are revealed by contemporary commercial education.

Page 18 text:

s :::::::::::::: ?FF1F5?fE?:T55'!,f?3 6. -57:?EEA?E:g5::::p::::::::-- :::::g 3'- 1 fv ' e YSL-vw-.z. - Q ZH , :::- --:::':::: -2-EE iiii-F ' -- ------------ -----1 I TTi'-'T ' '- - -' Erpartmrnt nf English URING the school year the de- partment of English has enrolled about 965, almost the entire stu- dent body. We do not claim that this is due wholly to the popularity of Eng- lish. Perhaps the fact that three years of the work are required may account for some of the number. Several changes in the course were introduced in September. The weekly oral theme work of the third and fourth years was made part of the regular class work instead of being relegated, as formerly, to the teacher of public speaking. The courses in composition and literature were separated for the first two years, one semester in each being devoted to composition and one to literature, and the grades of the two kept separately, not together, as in for- mer years. A eourse in journalism was introduced, looking toward furnishing a trained staff for the school paper and to giving aspirants for newspaper work a chance to test their iitness. Lists for outside reading were greatly enlarged and greater variety offered, especially in modern literature. Certain radical changes are in prep- aration for the coming year. ln the fu- ture all pupils just entering High School will be tested on their ability to read and write English and assigned to special divisions according to the re- sults of this test. In every subject a pupil will be given a grade on the Eng- lish he uses in that study, and this grade will determine in part his rank in Eng- lish. Should he fall below requirements either through ignorance or neglect he will be required to review the first course in composition. The mechanics of English must be made matters of habit. The entire course will be re- vised by the recommendations made in the report of the National Joint Corn- mittee on the reorganization of High School English. Erpartmrni nf Blatin E of the Latin Department agree with Mr. Charles W. Eliot when he says, 'fThere are four things in which every youth should be thoroughly trained, if his judgment and reasoning power are to be systematically developed: observing accurately, recording correctly, com- paring, grouping and inferring justly, and expressing cogently the results of these merital operationsf, We regard the study of Latin for four years, or even two, as an invaluable aid in at- taining this end. Our aim is to de- velop in the student accuracy in ob- servation, quickness in perception, clearness in expression, to enlarge and enrich his vocabulary, and give him first hand acquaintance with a few of the masterpieces of classic literature. While never fully satisfied with our results, we have many plans for extend- ing the work of our department when in more convenient quarters of our new High School.

Page 20 text:

1:::::::::::q::::-:gzznisgggig I .4-x?- -f 22: H Evpartmrnt nf iqnuavhnlh Arts T is the aim of the Household Arts courses to cultivate in a girl an ap- preciation of the arts pertaining to the home. The Household Art teaches her to plan, choose, buy, cut and make her gar- ments, taking into consideration the durability, quality and style of each. Not only underwear and dresses, but hats, simple evening gowns, coats and suits are made in this department. ln the Household Science, aside from the study of food and its preparation, other topics of importance to the home are studied. They include the planning of the house, the selection of furnish- ings and wall coverings, the cost of fur- nishing the house and its upkeep, its management and practice in home- nursing and first aid. Bnmrtmrnt nf Iiinlngg HE person who knows nothing about his own life, or that of liv- ing things about him, misses a great part of the beneicial and uplift- ing side of life. He fails to see the pur- pose of his own life, or the care he should give his own body. He fails to see insects and animals which may be useful or harmful, and loses sight of the beauty of flowers and plants. Bi- ology must make us observe the most commonplace things, and put us in har- mony with Nature itself. Bvpartmvnt nf lihgniw HE principal aims of the Physics course are four in number. First, the course should give us an ac- curate knowledge of why and how the familiar things of the physical world happen. Early in life we have gained a vague knowledge regarding these fa- miliar things, we know that an apple falls from a tree to the ground, that steam is used to run engines, that an inflated balloon rises, that sounds are transmitted more or less, mysteriously along telephone wires by electric cur- rents, etc., etc. Physics should teach us accurately why and how these things happen. Second, we should receive in the Physics course the same accurate in- formation concerning physical phe- nomena with which we are less or per- haps not at all familiar, such as the laws of motion, generation of electricity, and the mechanics of transmission of sound and light. Third, Physics, being largely an ex- perimental science, should give us the ability and the desire to conduct careful observations or experiments, and to ob- tain the correct scientific conclusions by careful logical deduction. Fourth, the course is expected to be of value, not only to those who will make practical use of it, but also to those in pursuit of a liberal education, for it will teach a pupil to think clearly, to express himself precisely, and to test his conclusions accurately.