Academy of Mount Saint Vincent - Chastellux Yearbook (Tuxedo Park, NY)

Page 31 text:

YVMl lS Since Algebra and Geometry are the basic Mathematics courses in the Academy, MRS. CLEARY'S primary aim in these courses has been a complete understanding and mastery of the theories and concepts in the N.Y.S. Syllabus. The wealth of filmstrip material available in the Academy will provide special assignments for more advanced stu- dents. Students in all MRS. CLEARY’s classes have been trained to do their homework assignments on acetate, and use the Overhead Projector to present their solutions to the class. The advantages of this method are incalculable. MRS. CLEARY bubbles over with enthusiasm for her subject — and in fact for the Academy — but her students often find Math hard. One finally acted as spokesman for the class and said MRS. CLEARY, we miss SUELLEN koelsch don't love Math, but we do love you!” Not to would be impossible! Physical Science and Mathematics Discovery is the aim of MISS KOELSCH’s Physical Science Course. In it she plans to use the I P S system — a self-discovery program. Besides Physical Science, MISS KOELSCH also teaches three Math courses: Math XI, XII and Intermediate Algebra. Her classes are di- vided into groups so that more capable students can move on and discover on their own. In Intermediate Algebra MISS KOELSCH is striving to develop self-confidence in her students, and although she is following the text rather closely, she is introducing some college math — including matrices. MATH XII is a seminar class, using college Set Theory. . . . MISS KOELSCH hopes to introduce her students to Topology. Each student in this course is working on an outside project, teaching herself something new in Math. MISS KOELSCH is a Graduate of Good Counsel College and is study ing for her Master s Degree at Fordham. 23

Page 30 text:

Both Science And Math Stress Discovery And Experimentation Emphasis was placed on the experimental approach in Biology this year. Activities included the alcoholic fermentation of apple cider and the crossing of fruit flies when students were studying Mendel's ratio. New micro-viewers provided “inside information” on bacteria, photosynthesis and the inner workings of the human body. A blood-typing service was offered to the school when students were studying the circulatory system. SISTER BARBARA also teaches Chemistry, the sci- ence she loves most. Her enthusiasm is shared by her students. After basic lectures had been given to the entire class, each student received a packet for each unit being studied. The packet contained read- ing lists, problem sheets and lab experiments to be completed by the student at her own rate. The better students completed the basic assignments and went on to enrichment exercises, while students with difficulties received more individual help from Sister. Since SISTER BARBARA teaches both Religion and Science, she is well qualified to give a course cover ing basic aspects of marriage to the Seniors. SISTER BARBARA SROZENSKI Biology and Chemistry When a wasps' nest was removed from beneath the eaves a Renamor, it was enclosed in a plastic bag for several days, and any wasps in it were suffocated. Then it was brought to the Lab for students to examine. Here SISTER BARBARA is examining it with MARIANNE ANGEL and ANNE BUDIN. Each year a hamster has had a special corner in the Lab. Last year's was “Honey” and more than once it escaped from its cage and made its way downstairs to the Library. This year Honey has been replaced by “Su- gar” — a more docile little animal, with a really pleasant personality. TERRY BYRNE and KATHY CLARK will vouch for this. Here SISTER BARBARA is testing some of its reactions. 22

Page 32 text:

dHabla Usted Espanol? Si! Parlez-Vous Francais? Oui! Loquerisne Latinam? Sic! SISTER GERTRUDE MIRIAM Spanish Dpartment Her summer in Mexico on an N D E A grant through the University of Wichita, Kansas, and her weeks in Spam last spring nave given SISTER GERTRUDE MIRIAM firsthand experience of the social and cul- tural background of Spanish speaking countries. As a result her Spanish courses are an enriching experi ence for her students. Using the Language Labora tory two or three days each week, all students ac- quire the ability to communicate and converse in Spanish with confidence and many do so with fluency. This year. Seniors and Juniors are undertak- ing extensive readings of modern Spanish and His- panic writers. The National Spanish Honor Society has again proved an incentive to all Sister’s students to attain and maintain high scholastic ratings in Spanish. Below — This picture was taken at the Airport the evening SISTER GERTRUDE and a group of students and their friends flew to Spam last Spring. Besides the development of the ability to com- municate in a foreign language and the social understanding of the life of persons in other lands, the cultural and aesthetic appreciation for individual growth is an important aim of all three Language Departments — Spanish, French and Latin (which we might call the an- cient form of modern Italian). The fact that here at the Academy we have students from Mexico, Puerto Rico and Central America is an asset in many ways.