Medina High School - Mirror Yearbook (Medina, NY)

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Understanding of Other Peoples FOREIGN LANGUAGES A barrier to the completion of the Tower of Babel was created when God caused its build- ers to speak different tongues. Today, language may be a barrier to building lasting peace, or a bridge. --Vf ', A -Lr- I ' ..l. Social studies pupils keep well-informed by reading the A American Observer and other magazines. AAV, H I R R lE.Dl cl M.blE.Dhl 't Through study of'past and current events, LXfB.gAg,i1f1 LKB., i'Mqu1S the latter by the publications Young America F1'e11rl1,'E11glirh X Lazifz and l'The American Observer , library re-- search, films, and class discussions, the Social Studies students learned to View national and international problems open-mindedly. Gfcm A' I'I0l'Iil1W'U Frances Newton Merrill L. Wfalrath 'B.S. I A.B., ECLM. A,B. SWWYZ Sfflfflf'-V Social Sfltzfiff Social Slzzdier The students conducted their own classes, found and presented material on topics which the class, by voting, decided were important. Self-expression was encouraged. Cooperation and tolerance of other people's opinions were practiced, for cooperation in small groups forms the basis for cooperation in world groups. As a special project this year the upper classes made a careful analysis of the U. N. O. and its workings in order to secure a clear understanding of this latest attempt at world cooperation. In order to familiarize themselves with other countries an intensive study of maps was made by the ninth grade. In the seventh and eighth grades civic and national interest was stimu- lated. A seventh grade group made a trip in October to the Medina Reservoir. SOCIAL STUDIES Open-mindedness 8 Bzz.ri11e.rJ Arithmetic Sofia! Szudzer To aid the use of language as a bridge to permanent peace, three years, each, of Latin and French are offered to the students. Under- standing of other peoples is particularly stressed. A study of Latin enables the student to understand the English language better, to learn other languages, and to study the methods used by the Romans in dealing with conquered countries so that we may avoid their mistakes in our treatment of Germany and Japan. A knowledge of French is valuable in obtaining a position representing our country or its in- dustries abroad. Two special projects carried out in the French Department were the correspondence of the pupils with French speaking students in Algeria and a night school course in simple French for adults. Eunice White reads to the French 2 class a letter from her pen pal of Constantine, Algeria.

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Clear Thinking SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH In order to be a leader in the world of tomorrow it is essential that one be able to express himself adequately and forcefully, both in written and in oral work. That is why these phases of English work are given such a prominent place in the Senior High School English Department. World cooperation and problems of the post-war period are brought to the pupil's attention through compositions and assignment readings on these subjects. The English Department strives also to create in the pupil the appreciation of classics, such as Ivanhoe , Silas Marnern, and Mac- Eighth grade pupils consider current problems in their correlated English-social studies classes. Elsa M. Ferguson Carol R. Hall M. Genevieve AB. 3 A.lNfI. B.S.1A.IVI. Smith Eugliib EII,Q1f.I'Z7 Efzglirb beth . The pupil's horizon is broadened through extra-curricular reading and intensive study of the 'iReader's Digest . Another result of these activities is enlargement of the pupil's vocabulary. A special project of the speech class was the presentation of the Christmas Assembly. A new feature introduced in some of the English classes was weekly work charts. The Dramatic Club, the M.H.S, News , and the 'Scribblersl Magazine are connected with this department. Core-subject instruction completed its third year of successful use in the seventh grade this year. by integration and correlation .of the core subjects much duplication was eliminated, and more time could be given to special class pro- jects. The study is centered around New York State, its early history, geography, and culture. ln junior High School English the student is developed by being made conscious of him- self as a social being in relation to his various environments. Respect and tolerance for his fellow beings are also stressed. in? I ia a . . - 'iii .. g g Irving l.. Needham Ida G. Cole Clifford H, Wise HS. AB. A.B.1A.M. Members of Miss Hall's third year English class work jfmjm- Hjgb SL-bmp! Euglifbx 5176655 Ifvffllilf Edzmzlion cooperatively on individual assignments. English and Social Slzzdier So vial Slfzdiei' Fundamentals of good English are particu- larly emphasized. Much grammar work is done so that the proper use of verbs and other parts of speech will become second nature in com- position work. Extra-curricular reading of worthwhile books is encouraged by posting lists of those to be found in the School Library. Creative work is stimulated through study of various types of literature. A special project carried out was a radio play on Nathan Hale. JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH Coherent Expression 7

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Accuracy MATHEMATICS In elementary and advanced math, accuracy is stressed. Through problems and exercises based on true-to-life questions and on formulas connected with new scientific discoveries, the student is given the opportunity to improve his accuracy and increase his speed in solving problems. The usual method employed in the math classes is explanation of new work, followed by class work on the lesson at hand with in- dividual help by the teacher for those needing it. Previous work is continually reviewed through daily quizzes. Typing copy for the H. S. News is the weekly job of the secretarial practice class. l l Laura G. King Melvin H. Miller A.B. g A.M. jzmior High Mrzfbezmzlirr Sfbrml Alrlfflffllcllffi Students who plan to enter the field of engineering, science, or aviation as their life work discover that these occupations depend on math. In order to meet the needs of students preparing for these fields of work, elementary and intermediate algebra, plane and solid geometry and trigonometry are offered. The study of mathematical instruments is offered in the Math Club. A new feature in elementary math was the use of mimeographed units of work. In trigonometry class, prospective engineers study the transit. In the Business Department the characteristic of self-reliance is developed through activities in and out of the classroom. For example girls in secretarial practice classes served as secre taries to various teachers and in the school ofiice, thus gaining actual experience working as stenographers. Students in retailing classes worked in local stores for a minimum of fifteen hours a week for which they received one unit of school credit. Jie. Laura Engelson Olga L. Hinckley Ralph W Wilt A.B.g M.A. B.S. B S Bu.ri11e.r.v Snbjerfr Guidrwre Bufifzefs Subject: Remilizzg The informal method of teaching is mod ernized by the use of the latest systems in teaching shorthand and typing. More emphasis is placed upon skill to meet post-war competi tion. Several projects have been carried out in the business department this year. The retailing A classes arranged an Easter display in the show case in the lower front hall. Members of the Commercial Club visited local ofhces and in dustries. A new feature introduced in the typing classes was the awarding of certihcates of merit to students with fewer than fixe mis takes on a speed drill. COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS Self-Reliance 9