1 62 METHODS IN TEACHING 



are being built, cellars that are being excavated, rooms that 

 are being plastered, and report on the measurements taken 

 and the data secured. This work may be done by one pupil, 

 by the whole class, or by a committee appointed for the 

 purpose. In connection with geography, a simple course 

 in longitude and time is given. 



Percentage is applied more extensively to business opera- 

 tions by familiarity with the following topics: percentage, 

 profit and loss, commission, simple interest, accounts, in- 

 surance, and simple work in partial payments. In connec- 

 tion with these subjects the pupils are trained to write all 

 the business forms required by them. Simple algebraic 

 equations are used in many solutions. 



The principal of one of the grammar schools and the 

 teacher of a seventh grade gives the following suggestions 

 from his work :* 



Much oral work is given to oblige correct thinking ; there 

 are frequent short oral drills for quickness and accuracy; 

 computations are tested both by rough estimates and by 

 exact means ; unusual technical terms and formal rules are 

 avoided except when necessary for good work, careful ex- 

 pression, or complete understanding. 



Since the cry of the business man that pupils can not even 

 add or multiply correctly is only too well founded, much 

 practice is given for acquiring facility in 

 calculations. Hence, addition, subtraction, 

 multiplication, and division are reviewed, reviewed, and re- 

 viewed. All kinds of problems, especially those that are 

 based on actual business transactions, are used to prevent 

 monotony in these reviews. Common and decimal frac- 



*Mr. O. H. Grubbs. 



