The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-26
LEWIS ACADEMY.


Mathematics has long been called tbs
''only epoch science and many profess &c
| believe that little or no progress has beer
made in the methods of teaching or study
| ing the subject. While mathematics Is
| still perhaps more taught and worse
| taught than any other subject" included in
| the curriculum of the average college, fl
Is also true that marked progress has been
| made in recent years both in the choice OF
subject matter 10 be taught and in the
! manner of presenting the same 10 the
student When we consider the fact that
our grandfathers studied arithmetic at
| Yale and Harvard through the sophomore
year, competing that branch only after
ten long years OF hard and constant toll,
we read with joy the declaration of Chan
cellor Gregory, Of Illinois State university,
that he has taught the entire subject of
practical arithetic to 12-year-old children
Of average ability in one school year OF
nine months, and Of President Bateman.
Of Knox college, claiming to have taught
the same work in even less time. Like
the awestruck Roman of olden time, we
ask: ION what meat hath this Caesar
fed that he hath grown so great?''
The only rational answer is method.
These splendid instructors have a system
in teaching which wastes no time in use
less forms and high sounding nomencla-
ture, but which enables the student to
grasp and master those fundamental prin-
clpies which are the keys 10 all indepen-
dent and safe investigat ton, and reach
down to those primal truths from which
proceed all congratulations. 1t has been
the aim Of the mathema tical department
Of Lewis academy TO use only the best text
books and adopt only those methods OF
teaching best suited to the particular grade
in which they are employed.
In the kindergarten the child is taught
to count and compare objects singly and
in groups. The simplest combinations are
made always with the objects in the hands
of the pupil. until he becomes familiar with
their separate and combined values. Miss
Halsey's success in this department is too
well known from the nine years she has
been with the Lewis academy 10 need any
other proof of the value of the methods
used in this grade. Miss Trickey con-
tinues the elementary work through the
second and third grades, teaching the easy
addition, subtraction, multiplication and
division Of simple numbers and the prac-
teal use OF the same in buying and selling
in the school room. The fourth and fifth
grades, under the tuition of Miss Neil
hany, study a text book and learn the
simpler tables of weight and extension
The practical work Of measuring the room
windows, school ground. with actual buy
never tire of actual practice in illustrat-
ing the principles Of arithmetic and no
pupil knows a principle until he can apply
ii. Here the pupils become familiar with
arithmetieal symbols, and accuracy, rap
idity and c,earness are acquired in turn.
Drill is the watchword here. Under
Miss Dean the sixth graders complete the
elementary arithmetic, giving especial at
tention TO fractions, denohinate numbers.
rapid work. decimals and properties Of
numbers. The pupil LEARNS by actual
practice 10 measure bins of grain or coal.
reduce weights and measure to their sew
eral standards and express all operations
quickly and clearly upon paper or back
board In the seventh grade. or ACADEMY
proper, the student completes arithmetic
under Prof. Scott. Here the why as
we'll as the how are studied. The -
dictated solution" is constantly used. The
metric system of weights and measures
becomes familiar to all. The rigid analysis
of each step in a solution is demanded.
Mental solutions and oral work are en-
phasized in each lesson. The literal or
a!gebraic solution is employed wherever
its use simplifies the work. Each student
learns to regard "x'' and ~ as his
friends, and never afterward fears them
InvolutiUu, evolution, the progressions and
are all readily mastered by
the use Of the literal or algebraic method
A proper knowledge of arithmetic makes
algebra easy for the freshman, and a year
given to this subject renders the student
proficient in pure mathematics. As in
principles only are taught The
reasoning powers and not the memory are
taxed and a perfect mastery Of the nine
teen fundamental principles render this
study q delight.
The sophomore year is given to geome
try. Original investigation is encouraged
and success here is the standard by which
the Students ability is measured. Both
original demonstrations make this part Of
the course especially valuable. No student !
can perform this work and not be men,
tally strong and logical thinker.
The ext books nj trigometry and sur |
veying used by the senior class. like those (
named above in algebra. and geometry are 1
college text books and like all other texts /
used in the academy proper are recognized /
as sufficiently difficult for any college |
Prof. Scott has charge Of the higher math- |
ematics. Our graduates readily take ad- /
vanced standing in al 1.-The eastern univer- |
stiles The Lewis academy is 10 be con |
graduated upon the thoroughness and |
omprebensiveness Of its mathematical /
course. which IS now or an equality with |
rs other courses.
Misses Ma bel Acken and Mayme Mallow /
played a very pretty piano duet at rhet- /
1ricals Thursday morning. The piece. The |
Coming OF Santa Claus" was made quite 4
realistic by sleighbeIis rung in time TO the 1
music. just outside the room.
The senior class is now reviewing arith- |
netic. Prof. Scott teaches this class. and |
-apid. accurate and most practical methods 4
are employed. The review Is rapid bur
touches on all the principles % arithmetic. /
md IS excellent 70 give classification and /
;efniJeness TO all previous knowledge in
arithmetic
On Wednesday the chorus assisted in The |
celebration Of Washington's birthday BY !
singing. AZ chapel. patriotic songs The
,ho-us also on Thursday morning sang
The skaters song"
On Wednesday afternoon the school was
given half holiday IL honor o. Washing
Cn's 5irth6a.
The Gersn class Is Just taking VI Min /!
"a Won o-nhelu, - by Losing The ofszs