Aragon High School - El Tesoro Yearbook (San Mateo, CA)

Page 135 text:

new things, kept up with the facul- ty, creating a high energy level in the classroom. Indeed, with so much vitality, as Mr. Don Hill ex- plained, Our goal is survival of the faculty members, students, and the world! Such a program, however, en- abled the Social Studies Depart- ment to be chosen by the National Study of Social Studies, as one of the top in the U.S. With such posi- tive input, the department was en- couraged to continue to delve into the world of creativity and more was expected. Yet students were not pressured, as Mr. Hill rea- soned, l hope the students feel there will be some relaxation and learn something once in a blue ,iii ir., ri' ,- , moon!', Definitely, with enthusi- asm, the students as well as the teachers furthered their scope of the world. Mr. Gwosden relaxes as he conducts an informal discussion. Kathleen Peter Lawrence Huntington Kelley Matthews Julie Williams NOT SHOWN: Don Hill Brian Bloom Kathy Brown Milo Gwosden Tom Kennedy Lee Swenson Richard Raiter This teacher gesticulates as she makes her point.

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A BLAST I TO THE PAST History Happens With Excitement Penetrating the barriers of time, students relived the times of Ro- mans, Greeks, and the beginning of our nation as the Social Studies Department presented creative activities to interest modern day students in the past. Unlike most history classes in the nation, Ara- gon's classes emphasized more than memorizing dates and places. Programs were designed to blend right and left brain thinking. With such study methods as creative writing, visuals, metaphor-making, the students were encouraged to explore and utilize all aspects of the brain. Furthermore, used throughout the social studies classes was the infamous left and right side notebook tthe gospel ac- Mr. Bloom checks to see if his students have completed their assignments. 130 Social Studies cording to Swensonl. Teachers, given creative li- cense, came up with imaginative projects as they planned, shared ideas, and coordinated together at most times. At times, projects be- came too imaginative for most stu- dents at any other school. Yet, the students at Aragon, as they were tolerant, open, and willing to try Mr. Hill passes out dittoes to aid students in their studies of both World History and U.S. History.

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Raise Your Paintbrush! THREE CHEERS FGR ART Come one, come all into the realm of artistic ability so craftfully ruled by Mr. Jamison and the shorts-clad Mr. Grosse. This course, varied in content, offered a rainbow of colorful activity, a development of skill, and the vast knowledge of the department's two instructors. With emphasis in development of creativity, the basic class con- sisted of learning basic drawing techniques and fundamental art skills. Students in this course fo- cused on their tasks and followed a well structured syllabus. Though it may have sounded terribly aca- demic, students listened to the stero and shared good times. Advanced art shared these pleasant atmospheric qualities, but a looser structure and more inde- pendent study was a bigger part of the course. Mr. Grosse, who taught second semester, regarded the art pro- gram as, 'CA creative energetic, in- formative, exciting, and beneficial program. Unfortunately, many students were not able to take it. Student Kim Morgan noted, the art department at Aragon seemed much more professional than other schools l've been to. V -fAf:555'3if: :ln -: ' -EEQQR E Q K K 7 . ks i s .5 iii - . Henry Rianda R. Jamison Not Pictured: Stan Grosse 132 Art Department The teachers have an ability to un- derstand and help the kids with their skills. Not only were skills taught, but there was also a background in the history of art, and an appreciation for the arts in order to keep stu- dents in touch with the art world. All this variation allowed stu- dents to open up their eyes to the creative processf, Mr. Grosse pointed out. Talent, variety, and apprecia- tion made up the list of ingredients the Art Departmentls receipe called for. Hats off to the teachers and students of the program! Art students tried diligently to copy per- fectly ancient masterpieces. Mr. Rianda lends a helping hand. For the beginning students papertowel painting proved most exciting.