William Mitchell High School - Apogee Explo Yearbook (Colorado Springs, CO)

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Language Department Hosts Exchange Students Wa S, R' Ns. MR. FRANCIS RIDDLEMOSER leads a discussion in his German 8 class, a group consisting of only five students in advanced study. Two students from Nlexico City High School spent three days in Colorado Springs this year and stayed in the homes of John Watt and Robb Storm. The boys were winners of the Alliance for Progress essay con- test and were touring the United States. ln the language program a basic revision this year was the change to an open language lab system. Stu- dents were required to spend a certain number of their unstructured modules per week in the lab. This number was determined by their advancement in Ian- guage study and individual progress. Under this system students who felt the need for extra study in a language could regulate their lab time accordingly. All languages were studied simultane- ously in the lab, and the tapes were controlled by a para-professional at the central unit. Small-group meetings proved very beneficial to the language department. Teachers were able to give closer attention to individual problems in pronuncia- tion and inflection than in previous years. Small groups of students interested in advanced work, such as Ger- man 9, were also organized this year. Previously, this advanced study was not as readily available. DURING AN UNSTRUCTURED module, Pat lVlclVlillen studies Spanish as others around her pursue their respective language courses.

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REV. KENNETH BURTON, Colorado College professor, and a CC stu- dent read a scene from The Rhinoceros for a satire class. Modular scheduling enabled the English depart- ment to completely revise its program structure. A va- riety of electives were offered to juniors and seniors for the first time, and the chronological approach to lit- erature was replaced bythe study of literary types. In addition to the study of literature, composition labs met once a week for four modules, and sophomore speech classes were held once a week in medium groups. For interested students, additional courses were offered in mass media, creative writing, language study, and journalism. Enrollment in the reading improve- ment course greatly increased this year because of the versatile scheduling. Large group meetings proved convenient for pre- sentations to enrich daily study. Many local speakers, such as Mrs. lnez Hunt, local author, and Mr. Jack Fin- layson, sports commentator, contributed their knowl- edge of specific fields to the classes. Continuing its policy, the Arts and Humanities Edu- cational Program made it possible for studients to see the National Shakespeare Company perform two come- dies this year. Volpone and Twelfth Night were both presented during the week of February 12. English Department Makes Unique Adjustments DAVE SHONTS LISTENS to an interpretation ofa play in the Mitchell audio-visual department to supplement his English studies. IN A READING improvement class, Gail Hagen participates in a Power Builder exercise to accelerate her reading rate.

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lVlath Department Otters Computer Class A ,,s-X .,.,:fe f DURING ONE OF her structured mods, Pam Fisk busily works on some Algebra ll problems. NIR. JOHN FOWLER, new at Mitchell this year, helps Kent Walton with his algebra during his small group algebra class. Again this year the mathematics department spon- sored a non-credit, volunteer class for students inter- ested in computers. Under the guidance ot lVlr. James McDermott and Nlr. Robert King, interested students ran programs through a computer and used the com- puter to work on individual mathematics projects. Each mathematics student spent an average of ten modules a week in actual class time, usually four modules of large group lecture, with the remainder spent in small group classes. Because great use was made ofthe math-science resource center, students received more individual help. Complete answer keys, film strips and a variety of other enrichment materials were made available for student use. Students at Mitchell were able to take a variety of mathematics courses, ranging from general mathe matics to calculus. SOPHOIVIORE DANNY HANSON takes advantage of the complete an- swer keys available in the resource center, x i