SUBJECT MATTER AND METHODS 165 



accuracy, rapidity, and precision of work that is considered 

 essential for every pupil before finishing the grammar 

 grades. 



The advanced work deals with ratio, proportion, partner- 

 ship, taxes, compound interest, trade discount, powers and 

 roots with application to mensuration. Mental work is 

 still a prominent feature, one-third of the time, approxi- 

 mately, being given to exercises that are to be solved men- 

 tally. Some work in book-keeping is introduced, familiar- 

 izing the pupils with the meaning and use of the terms 

 debtor, creditor, cash account, day book, and ledger. Keep- 

 ing small personal accounts is usually an interesting method 

 of study with the pupils. In connection with these exer- 

 cises, there is opportunity for considerable training in writ- 

 ing business letters and making out necessary forms. The 

 simple algebraic equation is used as in the seventh grades 

 in the solution of many problems. 



The principal of one of the grammar schools and teacher 

 of an eighth grade 1 gives some of the methods used in his 

 class : 



The idea of training for habit is kept constantly in mind, 

 while the thought of the year concerning knowledge is to 



give the pupils a familiarity with number 

 Aims 



processes that will assist them definitely in 



bread-winning pursuits. Many pupils and people have 

 ability, but they are lacking in the power of concentration ; 

 they have brains, but are handicapped by an inability for 

 continued effort. Consequently, if pupils can work in- 

 tensely on some problem for one recitation period, endeav- 

 oring, while working out the solution, to express their ideas 



1 Mr. William H. Murray. 



