The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1918-06-29


poem is written in iambic tetrameter: that is.
four feet to line, each foot having one I'M
accented syllable and one accented syllable
Too much Importance cannot be attached to
the study of meter. One may be ever so
gifted with poetic talent, but if he fails to
observe meter in his verse his work lacks
beauty and rhythm, and nothing more surely
marks the efforts of the untutored novice.
The crude results of his labor, which, with the
finishing and refining touch of meter, might
have scared into the realm of the sublime,
remain in obscurity as common doggerel.
The children in the reading classes take
readily to the study of meter, and it has had
greater influence in creating within them
love for poetry than anything else.
Another important principle of reading is
subordination- bringing out the main idea,
and subordinating the descriptive parts, with
the voice.
In the Eighth Grade, the classics, such
as "Miles Standish" "Evangeline' and
"Enoch Arden" are studied with supplement
tary outside reading.
The main object of reading in Zion Schools
is to learn how to read and interpret the Bible
correctly. This is especially dwelt upon by
the instructor teaching the pupils how to in
terpret the passages; that is, to know what
verse literally means
Some people, for instance, would read the
verse, s'The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the armament sheweth His handywork,"
without understanding it's full meaning. But
the object is to dig out the inside kernel-to
get an intelligent grasp, so far as it is possible
for the finite mind to do so, of the heavens
and the armament; to study and contemplate
all the marvellous works of creation.
The Bible is recognized by men of learning,
the world over, as the greatest literary mas
terpiece ever written; but it is not the aim
of the reading course in Zion Schools to bring
this out primarily: it is only touched upon
secOndarily.
real truth of Gods Holy Word to study it and
take it as "a lamp unto our feet, and light
unto our path"
Music
Music is taught in Zion Schools through all
the eight grades and the four years of the
Preparatory Course, by teacher devoting
her entire time to the work. No exhibit was
on display but those who attended the Pre-
paratory Class Day Program, the Prepare
tory Commencement Exercises and the Jun
or Department Closing Exercises saw abun-
dant evidence of the splendid musical train
ing which has been given.
SPELLING
While there was but little on exhibit to
show the progress made in spelling, this
branch is taught through all the grades. Zion
Schools give more attention to this impor-
tant study than schools elsewhere. pupil
if he has never learned to spell correctlv. be
his fund of knowledge ever so great, will be
seriously handicapped through life
Test is often added to the regular work in
Zion Schools by matching the two correspond
| ing rooms of grade-north and south
against each other in an old-fashioned spell
ing bee.
A method followed in the regular course
is to have the pupils, on the first day of the
school term, take ten words; the next day,
they take ten additional words with a review
of the first ten; the third day, they take ten
additional words with ten selected by the
teacher from the first twenty, and 50 on, the
list steadily charging day by day. The
pupil never knows what words will be selected
from those formerly gone over; therefore, he
must constantly review the entire list in order
to keep posted.
This method has shown excellent results
especially in the two Eighth Grades where it
has been tested out thoroughly
ARITHMETIC
Fifth Grade work in this branch was illus
trated by original problems in fractions; the
Sixth Grade by independent sales slips and
papers showing the keeping of cash accounts
In the Seventh Grade, arithmetic was ap-
piled in practical way to farming and
gardening expenditures. For instance, the
cost of maintaining horse and carriage was
contrasted with the maintenance of an auto.
It was interesting to note the array of figures