Keene (Tex.) Academy

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 22, 1906

Keene (Tex.) Academy

The Lord has been greatly blessing this institution during the past two years. With the blessing of the Lord and the co-operation of the brethren, the debt upon it has been entirely lifted, and we are ready as a conference to sing the jubilee song of freedom from debt. While a few copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons” remain to be sold in two of the conferences, the amount is small, and the conferences have stepped in and assured the amounts. As far as we know, we are the first of the union conferences to be able to free their educational institutions from debt. In singing the song of jubilee at this meeting, I hope we shall all have so vivid a recollection of what it has cost to achieve this result that we shall avoid debt in the future as we would the leprosy. But this is not all. When this result had been gained, it was found that some repairs on our buildings and additional facilities were greatly needed. In looking over the situation the committee found that forty acres of land could be sold without detriment to the work of the institution, and with the proceeds of this the needed repairs could be made and the buildings be better equipped. A purchaser was soon found at a good price. A heating plant has already been installed in the academy home, and the Board is proceeding with other improvements as fast as advisable.

The attendance is considerably larger than last year, and the schoolroom work is proceeding very satisfactorily. It was thought wise a year ago to add one year’s work to the course of study heretofore offered. Some changes in the faculty and management were made which enabled them to add two teachers to the faculty for the present year. So far as I can learn, our present arrangement is giving excellent satisfaction. The faculty fully realizes that the spiritual part of their work should not be subordinated to the literary. The students as a rule are in full harmony with their teachers, and are doing good work in their studies. Full details of all this and the workings of the school will be given in the report of the principal and manager.—From the President’s Report.

A Synonym Hunt

Tell the children they are going on a hunting expedition, but no guns are needed; for the “game” is a word to match, and the “gun” used is a sharp little mind, and two bright eyes may be the dogs to spot the game.

Make two lists of words. The students may copy carefully as many as are needed.

That will be a writing lesson and a bit of “partnership” work for them, to increase their personal interest in the plan. It will also help, incidentally, in spelling. The sheets are cut into slips; the first set short, the second long. The latter consists of synonyms of the first. A set is given to each pupil, and he matches them, spreading them out on his desk till all the words are mated.

The room will be very quiet while the children are busy matching their slips, for the first one to get all his words mated will be the winner, of course.

You will find the hunt useful in language and grammar work, and it will develop quickness and concentration of thought. And every such device is helpful in all school work.

In one school the hunting expedition was so popular that the children asked for one every week, and of their own accord consulted Mr. Webster, made out their own little lists, brought them to the teacher, and, putting them all together, had a long “hunt”—and list. Sometimes the teacher used each pupil’s list in turn, to encourage them in the work and to help them form the habit of consulting frequently the authority before mentioned—which habit is a good one.

SAMPLE LIST humor epistle chief relatives letter project kin exploit infant burst residence chide explode serious grave leader design home hunger wit feat baby reproach famish

Somewhere in the second column, or list, you will find a synonym to match each one of the words in the first column.—Selected.