Thomaston High School - Owl Yearbook (Thomaston, CT)

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have all been graduated. New players, of course, had to be found, and these have all been rather inexperienced. However, under good leadership, an orchestra of beginners’ has steadily improved with each year and now we have an orchestra of which we may well be proud. Besides the orchestra, there are the glee clubs. In 1925, the girls of the present senior class formed a singing class, chose pin.1, and organized as a glee club. Since then the membership has been extended to any pupil of the three upper classes who successfully passes a simple test. A boys’ glee club has also been organized since. These clubs, which have rapidly attained popularity, have sung at various’ school events cf the year. Often the hard work done by the musical organizations is not recognized by hearing them now and then, but we are sure that the training received and the praises which come to all are full compensation for their efforts. I I

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THE STUDENT COUNCIL Harrow Kindness Gilbert Nase Dorothy Higgins Helen Tibbals George Millspaugh Helen Scott Nora Farquhar President Vice-President Treasurer , Secretary William O’Brien Shirley Beardslee Helen Shearer INDIVIDUAL PLAN OF INSTRUCTION Last year a new method of instruction, the aim of which is to devise a program of study which is suited to the individual ability of each student, was begun in the Thomas-tcn High School. Since it has been found that there is a significant difference in the native ability and rate of learning of different pupils, it seems that the better way cf teaching is by fitting the time and rate of study to the ability of each student. Certain days of each week are devoted to class discussion cr conference, a time for clearing up common differences, for drill, and testing. Other days are devoted to study of the units into which the assignment is divided. A lcng assignment covering from four to six weeks is planned by the teachers. This assignment contains definite study suggestions which are to aid the pupil in effective study during his free time.. Each assignment contains also optional or supplementary units, which, as the name suggests, can be done if desired and the ability of the pupil permits. Such units are especially beneficial to the pupils studying the college prepartory course. Such a plan of study enables the pupils to receive individual instruction, keeps the slow pupils from getting discouraged, and stimulates the gifted pupils- to keep ahead and be able to meet the difficult tasks when confronted with fuch. A very important advantage of such a system is that it teaches the pupil to carry responsibility and to plan his time, thus preparing him for study in college or for work of other kinds. OUR MUSICAL ACTIVITIES Though there is- not always so great an opportunity for attaining glory as? cn the athletic field, the musical organizations of the Th:maston High School occupy no small place in the activities of the student body. At one time the high school had an exce’lent orchestra of well-trained players, but, as is inevitable these players [17]

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HARROW MUIR KINDNESS President Basketball, 3-4 Baseball, 4 Glee Club, 4 Harrow is a very good sport, Often starring on the basketball court. ESTHER MAY FLYNN Secretary Glee Club, 2-3-4 Esther, our faithful secretary, At keeping notes is very wary. [19]