Breck School - Mustang Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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Mr. Mkhwl Ir jm (Spanish) MlȤ 1 ind.1 Carlton (French) Mr. Michael Weitzcl (German) (Deparlmenl Head) The Breck Language Department seeks to develop writing, reading, and speaking skills in its students, as well as an understanding of the native culture. To fully provide students with a background for their studies, a 7th and 8th grade introductory program is offered in each language and stresses basic vocabulary and structural concepts, pronunciation and conversation, and a meaningful cultural background. Students enter the first level course in the ninth grade, and for three years pursue an intensive course of study in the fundamentals of the language. French and German courses use the A-LM method, while Spanish students use the El Camino Real method. 12th Level courses constitute advanced study and vary from language to language. Miss Linda Carlson, French teacher, employs a chronological literary, cultural, and political history, using both full-length works and short selections. From time to time students see French native theatre productions and films. The German program, under the direction of Department Head, Mr. Michael Weiszel, consists of cultural history and grammar review. Mr. Michael Uram, Spanish teacher, also teaches literary selections and grammer review, and occasional driving tips. An important element of the advanced courses is the development of useful conversational skills and refinements of the language. 27

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ENGLISH Mr. William Harley (English 11-12) Mr . Kathryn Harper (M extern C om posit ion) (Dept Head) Mr. Charle Krenr (Engtbh 7-9) Significant changes have been made in the English program this year, in both programs and personnel. A continuous curriculum including grades four through twelve has been organized, and Mr. Kathryn Harper is the new department head. The English curriculum has been carefully planned so that a considerable portion of the pupils' experiences in speaking, writing, reading, and listening is not only organized into units, but also those units are arranged in an orderly sequence. The result is that the school directs the language-arts experiences of its pupils into channels which the accumulated experience of teachers and the results of educational research indicate are psychologically sound. The curriculum is based on the two facts: that children grow and develop at different speeds and that they differ in abilities; and that each academic subject has its own inherent structure, own anatomy, and own gradient of difficulty. On this background and premise, a complete language-arts program has been set forth, giving the student a sequential development in reading, language, vocabulary development as well as opportunities for creative work. Specifically, 7th and 8th grade students cover a wide range of literatures and language studies, while 9th and 10th grade students study American literature and 11th and 12th graders study English literature; an intensive approach to language and composition study is also used at the higher level. A course in Modern Composition, emphasizing basic writing techniques, is offered to Juniors and Seniors. 26

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MATH Mr. J jck Bldtherwick Mr. Richard Yonker (Advanced Math) (Calculu ) (Dept. Mead) Mr. John Stenglcin (Geometry) Mr. Jamet Rom (Algebra) Brock's Math Department is traditionally one of Brcck's strongest departments under the able leadership of Mr. Richard Yonker. The program is developed well at the 7th and 8th grade level, taught by all members of the Department, who prepare their students in the fundamentals needed for future study. Mr. Ross teaches most of the algebra classes at the ninth and tenth grade level, while most of the geometry classes are taught by Mr. Stenglein. The Advanced Math and Pre-Calculus classes are taught by Mr. Blatherwick. Mr. Yonker teaches the Advanced Math Q and Calculus I and II courses, preparing students for Advanced Placement in college study. Breck's program is a three-track system, including a Q-track for students in the top level of their class. These students receive two years of Calculus and many take the Advanced Placement test in May of each year. Many of these students receive advanced placement in college math. 28