Yerington times. [volume] (Yerington, Nev.) 1907-1932, 1915-04-24
HISTORY AS TAUGHT
IN THE LYON
HIGH SCHOOL

The purpose OF tbs article is TO set
forth in condensed form the aims, the
methods and the acGuai work of the
history department Of tie Lyon
County High School. The aim has
been to observe the principe laid
down in the Report OF the Com
mittee OF Ten, which is quoted rom
the Courses Of Study for the !iBh
Schools of Nevada as follows
'One object OF historical study is
the requirement of useful facts; but
the chief object is the training Of the
Judgment in selecting grounds for an
opinion i'll accumulating materials for
an opinion. in putting things together,
in generalizing upon facts. cstmat-
ing character in applying the lessons
OF history to current events, and in
accustoming children to state their
conclusions in their own words"
As to the methods pusued. it may
be said that they have been mainly
in accordance with the suggestion,
given in the Nevada High school
Course OF Study" that is, the keep
ing OF note books in which lesson as
signment and references for reading
as well as notes ON this reading are
recorded, has been required from al
in this department. These note book
are definite aid to the pupil in organ
izing his material The reference
reading has included a number of the
best authorities on historical subjects
but it is to be regretted that the choice
and supply OF history reference works
Is SO meagrc In fact the equipment
OF this department in general ha,
been largely overlooked in view Of the
greater needs OF other departments
md yct there are few subjects more
deserving OF earnest study and careful
research than this OF history
II is also feature Of the method
followed in this department to vary
the daily recitations on tte subjects
assigned with special reports from
time to time by individual pupils on
assigned reference reading. Such
training rs TN gives the pupil greater
insight into the times OF which he is
studying. as well as practice in speak
ing and organizing material Tor pre-
sentation to others. The weekly or
bi-weclly tests are another valuable
feature OF this work as such tests aid
the pupil rather than discourage him.
in that they give him opportunity for
constant review. 1t has been the ell
deayor Of the instructor in history to
prevent the subject from becoming
servile study OF one text book, but 10
induce the student to weigh carefully
the decisions of various authors and to
teach him 20 think for himself
The actual history course prescrib-
ed in the Lyon County High School
provides for ancient history in the
freshman year and mcdiaeval and
modern history in the sophomore
year
In the first year enough attention is
given to the Oriental nations to show
their contribution to European his
tory, and to bring out the main points
OF difference between the two civiliza-
tions. Emphasis is placed upon the
social and political institutions of
Greece and upon her development in
art and literature rs well a. her in
tiuence upon Europe, both in me
diaeval and in modern times. In Ro-
man history much attention is given
to the political growth, the successes
and the failures Of both the Repub-
lie and the Empire, to the introduc-
t-on of Christianity and To the indu
encc of the incoming barbarians OF the
Teutonie race
In the second year OF high school
mcdiaeval and modern history is taken
up, beginning with review OF the in
yaSions OF the barbarians and the
reign of Charlemagne The attention
OF the class is centered upon a few of
the great subjects; such as feudalism,
the conflict of Chuch and State, the
formation and development OF the
modern nations, the development of
commerce, the free cities, the re
uaissauce, the political revolution, the
French revolution. the Napoleonic
era, the industrial revolution and 9TH
ers The value to the student of such
subjects is indisputablc As human
beings we learn often by our own
mistakes as well as by the mistakes
OF others. Do we not also profit by
the successes and the achievements OF
othcrs' How can we rightly Judge
OF the present except some light from
the past be thrown upon it2 His
tory aims to show us our present in
the light OF the experience of tic past
1t gives us perspective as it were, and