Breck School - Mustang Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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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

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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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Mr. Liam Taaffe (European History) Mr. Thomas Tierney Mr. Gerald Vollmer (U.S. History) (History 9, Economic ) (Dept Head) The History Department offers perhaps the most diverse group of courses of any department. 7th grade study under the direction of Mr. Vollmer is concerned with Ancient Civilizations while 8th graders with Mr. Taaffe study the history of the Middle Ages and early modern period. United States History, a graduation requirement, is taught by Department Head, Mr. Thomas Tierney, and covers politics social movements, and American national development over the course of the past few hundred years. Mr. Tierney is also coordinator for the new Junior Senior Philosophy-Psychology-Sociology course which spends one term on each of the three topics. Mr. Vollmer, the Department's newest member, is the instructor of History 9, a course in Non-Western history, particularly that of the Far East, and also Economics Political Science, which investigates the fundamental elements and applications of these two topics. Mr. Taaffe teaches the two courses in modern studies, European History and Twentieth Century Conflicts. The former concentrates on European History from the English Revolution to the present day while the latter, through a study of twentieth century political, social, and cultural history, attempts to define common characteristics throughout various nations and periods of our exciting century. 29