A pioneer school located in Harrisburg, Banner County, Nebraska

ARITHMETIC

LESSON TIME:  25 minutes

OBJECTIVES:  Students will compare the mental arithmetic focus of the early schools with the wide variety of activities available in modern times.

George Hull, in 1894, wrote "It is evident to every thoughtful instructor of mathematics that a great many processes are taught in arithmetic today which neither furnish the mind with useful knowledge nor develop in it a high degree of culture."  Hull's book contained a large number of exercises in calculations and concrete problems.

1.  The teacher will conduct oral drills, concentrating on addition, subtraction and multiplication facts (two's, five's, and ten's). The teacher will ask the question, the student will stand, repeat the question and respond.  The teacher will acknowledge the answer and the student will return to his seat.

2.  Slates will be used to respond to dictated problems.  

3.  Story problems emphasizing money will be solved.    

      He who copies, does not learn.