Montebello High School - Golden Key Yearbook (Montebello, CA)

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LANGUAGES, LITERATURE and HISTORY VENI ' VID! Vlcl jj Spanish is a popular language subject in Southern kd X California, due in part to the nearness of Mexico. V. NA N - Three years of the subject are taught and by the end S Ss' of the course students are able to speak and write it eo? . , . .. K with a certain degree of fluency. In the activities of the R ' Spanish Club it is the only language used. T V Though not universally popular, Latin has its place in the curriculum. Two years of it are offered. In the field of English there are four years of in- g struction open to students with three years required for graduation. In this course training is given in the cor- rect use of the language. Sophomores are required to have one semester of oral expression. To meet this requirement two teachers, especially trained in speech work, conduct the speech classes and give drill in voice control and informal speaking. b Advanced work covers a study of the classics, formal grammar and com' position, with greater emphasis on originality and fluency of expression. journal' ism is offered as a substitute for advanced English to those with special writing ability. History is another generally required subject. It covers world history, which nearly all freshmen take, United States history and civics, which are required of juniors and seniors, and modern history and social problems. SCIENCE six ei? 9 s N I iv ,VS Many of the freshmen, including all those who are HQ taking a college preparatory course, enroll in general sci- ' -- , A ence. This course includes a very general study of sci- ence, touching briefly on all its phases by way of an in- , -i T troduction to its more detailed study later. Here experi- L I ' ments are performed by- the teacher, and the student notes l what is done and what results. For the college preparatory students biology is a re- 6 quirernent. A somewhat thorough study is made of plant and animal life in the first year, but in the second year it is studied more deeply with detailed consideration of many of the higher forms of life. Here pupil activity in- volves dissection of animals for the purpose of learning by actual observation the structure of the higher forms. This subject may now be substituted for chemistry as a requirement for graduation. - Other advanced science courses offered are chemistry and physics, chemistry being a graduation requirement unless cedit is earned in advanced biology, a new subject in the curriculum this year, or household science, open only to girls. Page' Seventeen

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V COMMERCE lf all fb l ,iw mand and the commercial course in high school offers the beginning of this training. junior business training and business principles teach the fundamental business procedures such as Writing checks, figuring interest, and the keeping of simple ac- counts, as well as principles of general business practice. More specialized training is offered in bookkeeping, typing, and shorthand, where students Work intensively on a particular phase of the subject. Tearing their hair over balance sheets and figuring out accounts of make-believe stories are problems of am- bitious young accountants. Through persistent drill and testing, typing students develop skill and pre- cision in handling the typewriter. With constant practice, by the end of the sec- ond year, many attain speed records approximating sixty or seventy Words. After one year of learning the meaning of the queer Hgures which constitute shorthand, second year students are ready for actual practice in applying their knowledge through drill in taking dictation. Members of the transcript class are also given real secretarial experience by being assigned as secretaries to various teachers. Nlany also go into offices of local business men for part-time work. Today well trained business people are in great de- o Qi- J fa x 'fs 0 MATHEMATICS '5 O The binomial theory, algebraic equations of all sorts, 'L lines, angles and logarithms become familiar terms to the CSX student of mathematics. If he is at all serious about the work, he learns various manipulations of the principles 2- studied: he finds short cuts to the solution of many every- -Q V day problems, and discovers numerous practical applica- 4 if tions in other subjects and in daily problems. Since mathematics is not a required subject for grad- uation from high school, enrollment in these courses is made up largely of college preparatory students and those with special interest in mathematical subjects. Two years of algebra are offered, and many do not go farther, either because of inability to cope with the problems or because of no apparent future need for that particular type of training. There are also classes in plane and solid geometry, and trigonometry, neither of which is required for college entrance, but all are essential for those planning for work in engineering and advanced science. Students of drafting also find advanced work in geometrical calculations valuable. X Page S ixteen

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HOME ECONOMICS In this department girls are taught how to prepare and serve foods, how to plan balanced menus, how to budget household expenses, and how to plan and make attractive garments inexpensively. The practical application of this training is seen in the breakfasts, luncheons, and dinners which are served during the year, and in the display of needlework during Public Schools week. Each cooking class is divided into small groups, each QD L-U with its hostess who plans, prepares, and serves the meal to her guests. Discussion and comment later bring out weak and strong points. Few banquets or dinners are served at school without help from the cooking girls. They may make sandwiches and cakes for a tea or they may help with the preparation and serving of a banquet. In the sewing classes girls are taught the economical way of making clothes, keeping in mind correct style and neatness in dressmaking. Some girls design their own patterns as well as making garments for others. In addition to this work there are classes in household science and home art and design, laboratory courses in which chemical properties and tests for foods, the identification of textiles by various tests, and methods of caring for textiles are studied. S 5 7 PHYSICAL EDUCATION Healthy bodies make sound minds might well be A the motto of this department, for it is here -that attention ' is given to proper exercise and play as an element of KT :txt Well rounded development. Minds weary from several ' fijlifk periods of concentration and bodies cramped from hours 5 X of sitting over desks are given relaxation and healthful 1, exercise 'for five periods each week for boys and three CQ for girls. The work is required of all, unless they are K excused by a doctor. h , Q J Formal drill constitutes part of the activity of the department with emphasis on posture and health habits. ' Much, is gained, however, in the informal competitive games between groups within the classes, for the exercise is then spontaneous and doubly helpful, The procedure in boys' classes varies as the different sports are in season. Since the boy in a competitive sport spendsmuch more than the required daily period in active participation in the activity after' school, 'he is excused from regu- lar physical education during the season of his special sport. Page Ei ghfeen