Niles Township High School West - Spectrum Yearbook (Skokie, IL)

Page 28 text:

Foreign Languages provide a means for understanding other nations. Language is the civilized method of communication. Modern world prob¬ lems compel Americans to develop an “intercultural intelligence.” Competent citizens realize that language is a primary road to this intelligence. In addition to the international aspect, the study of a foreign language produces a greater understanding of the complex English language. As the primary objective, the foreign language courses try to develop the language skill of comprehension through listening, speaking, reading, and writ¬ ing. Listening and speaking skills are aided considerably by work done in the language laboratory. Students are able to hear voices of native speakers, teachers, and other students as well as practice speaking individually.

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Effective reasoning and application are primary concepts in mathematics With courses ranging from General Math to Math Analysis, Niles West’s Mathematics Department offers students a selection in all degrees of mathematical interests. The department teaches students to reason effectively and to apply concepts practically. Its primary purpose is to develop quantitative reasoning powers through the use of numerical skills. The aim of the Math De¬ partment is an understanding of these skills so that the student may be able to apply his thinking in fields seemingly quite foreign to mathematics. For example, trigonometry, which in high school appears to be associated with triangles, can be ap¬ plied to an explanation of a chemical reaction. There is a great demand for people highly qualified in their fields of employment. According to Mr. Martin, Chairman of the Mathematics Department, training of the better student to the extent of his ability has become more of a necessity than a choice. For this reason the Mathematics Department has de¬ veloped an extensive accelerated program to challenge the rea¬ soning powers of the better students. Plane Geometry students, Dave Senn. Roberta Benson, and Virginia Hawkins, diagram the Pythagorean Theorem for practical application. Barry Fisher and Robert Cims explain the method of finding the area of a spherical triangle.

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Bullfights and a jug of wine symbolize Spain to many Americans; however, the pitcher Richard Buelow is show¬ ing to Lynnette Hendricks is a model of the botigo, an ancient type of water jug. The language laboratory offers students an opportunity to gain proficiency in foreign languages. Advanced Russian students, Julie Gordon, Richard Mendes, Caro- lynn Merrill, and Vladimir Sokolov, wearing authentic costumes, demonstrate the Korbushka. a Russian folk dance.