Boston Latin School - Liber Actorum Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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MR. KOZODOY (III 1)1 l)i ' j)arliiii ' iil MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT ] Iathematic.s has been an integral part of the course of study at Boston Latin School throughout its long and l)roud history. Today, more than ever, we find that a knowledge of the fundamentals of this subject is of utmost importance lo the educated person. In nearly all tields of endeavor, the influence of mathematical methods makes itself felt more and more. The various courses in mathematics offered in the school have as an initial goal inculcation of orderly habits of neatness and accuracy in the student’s work and in his thinking. In this subject, logical sequential thought is the core of the course. Beyond this, there is to be found in all phases of the coui’ses in mathematics a continuing stress on the interdependence of cause and effect, on the development of the ability to determine ultimate conclusions from known data. For those students who demonstrate superior mathe- matical competence and power as well as the inclina- tion to study beyond the minimum requirements, there exists a course which prepares candidates for admission lo technical institutes. The growing and urgent demand for trained technicians and technologists with a good mathematical backgi’ound has resulted in a continuing search for ways and means to increase the scope and content of mathematics courses at the secondary school level. A start has been made in this direction in our school. It is the hope of the [Mathematics Department that revisions in the curriculum will enable our pupils in the jiear future to enter college with sufficient preparation to permit them to begin at a higher level in college courses than is presently possible. It is ecjually our hope that his may be effected within the general framework of the traditional training upon which the fame of our school rests. First Row; Messrs. Caffrey, Cheethani, Dobbyn, Kozodoy (Dept. Head), Gretsch, Klein, Gilbeit. Second Row: Messr. Vara, t ' asey, Rejian, Colbert, McLaughlin, M. Wcinert, .A. (Ji-eenhalge, Branca.

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ANCIENT LANGUAGES In the study of Latin we have two sets of aims: the s])ecitic and the more j -enei-al. Specific aims include the ability to i;ronounce and read Latin; the ac([uisition of a Latin vocabulaiw ; the mastery of Latin foimis; the abil- ity to apply simple, fundamental rules of syntax; the ability to turn English sentences into Latin; and the ability to translate easy Latin at si ht. The more genei ' al aims are accomplished through the study of Latin and Latin authoi ' s. One of these is the increased ability in the use of English, with a better understanding of vocab- ulary and a knowlcffge of the simpler principles of lan- guage structure. This accomijlishment should biing about also a greater ability to learn other foreign languages, Erom the study of Latin authors should come the de- velopment of a historical and cultural background with (a) increased knowledge of the life, hi.story, and institu- tions of the Romans; (b) an api reciation of Roman influence on Western civilization; and (c) a broader understanding of social and ])olitical problems of today. From the study of Roman literature there should also come about the develoi)ment of a right attitude toward social relations: service, self-sacrifice, patriotism, honor, respect for authority, self-control, love foi ' law and order, loyalty, courage, and the like. Finally, the study of Latin should bring about the development of good mental habits, such as accuracy, thoroughness, logical thinking, sustained attention, jjer- severance in the face of difliculties, and dissatisfaction with failure or with only partial success. MR, HOI ' KINSON Head of Dopartrnc First Rcw: Messrs. Sullivan, Dolan. O’Donnell, O’Callahan, Hopkinson (Dept Head), Cleary, Roche, Miller, Richards. Secon d R ow: Messrs. PartridKC, Desmond, Locke, Connors, O’Brien, Farrell, .Jameson, Zanor, Sakey.

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GERMAN At the end of the freshman year all l)oys must make a choice for Class III between the two electives, Greek and German. Roughly speaking, three out of four boys elect German, which they must then study tor at least two years. In the Senior year German becomes an elective. Usually about thirty boys continue the study for the third year. These boys, who have shown lu’ohciency in the language, prepare them.selves by diligent work to win extremely high marks in the German Achievement Test for college entrance and to obtain scholarshii) awards. Of the class of 1954 more than fifty per cent of the Senior German class continued successfully the study of the language at c(rllege. Roys of only two years’ prep- aration have also been able to continue the .study — especially at M.I.T., where, after a refresher course, they proceed with the work in scientific German. The good results prove that, during the two years of preparation in German, great efforts are made by mas- ters in the German Department to give a sound founda- tion in basic vocabulary and elementary grammar. Pu- pils are taught, by con.stant jjractice, to read and write the language and, by means of easy conversation and special language records, to understand and speak it. The German Department insi.sts that boys also learn the e.ssentials of geography and culture in Germany and follow pertinent current events. The German Club, sponsored by Mr. Herbert Zoll, but run by the boys themselves, presents programs of in- terest to students of German. Members listen to speak- ers, see films, and read news])apers to make their meet- ings worthwhile. Mli. VAX STEEXHEIUiEX Head of Deparfmenf ( First Row: Messrs. Weinert, Van Steenbergen (Dept. Head), Zoll. Second Row: .Messrs. Triantafel, Miller. I 13 1