SUBJECT MATTER AND METHODS 



Problems of some practical nature, but simple enough to 

 be within the grasp of the pupils, are in daily use. Mental 

 work is given as much time as written work; it always 

 comes first, so as to prepare the mind for more rapid think- 

 ing in the written exercises. Considerable constructive 

 work is given in connection with drawing and geography. 

 About fifty minutes a day are given to arithmetic, mental 

 and written, in this grade. 



The following is summarized from an account of the 

 year's work and the method of developing its various fea- 

 tures, as given by one of the regular teachers r 1 



For convenience in handling fractions the subject is di- 

 vided into three topics, preliminary work, addition and 

 subtraction, multiplication and division. Under prelimin- 

 ary work the following points are taught, denominator, 

 numerator, formation of a fraction, raising to higher terms, 

 reducing to lower terms, changing whole or mixed numbers 

 to improper fractions, changing fractional forms to whole 

 or mixed numbers, finding the least common denominator 

 of two or more fractions. 



To develop the idea of the denominator an exercise sim- 

 ilar to the following is taken: Divide the pages in your 



readers into two equal parts. What is each 

 Denominator 



part called? What are the two halves 



equal to? Show J, |, J, f of the readers. Find J, of 

 your rulers. These exercises are continued with lines, 

 squares, yard-sticks, and circles. 



Development exercises for the numerator follow. The 

 teacher tells the class to draw a line showing the denomina- 



'Miss Harriet M. Keating. 



