North Mecklenburg High School - Viking Yearbook (Huntersville, NC)

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Social Studies Teach Change ls Inevitable The basic goals of education are concerned with both morals and the intellect. To train the student in becoming a good citizen, one who believes in the inherent dignity of man, the individual - is the concern of the school. World history and United States history are of- fered at North. U. S. history is required for gradua- tion, but world history is an elective. Historv is important for the student, for it provides an under- standing that change is inevitable, but that change and progress do not mean the same thing. It also gives an understanding that men in every age have been confronted with the same fundamental prob- lems as we face today. History justifies being included in the curricu- lum because it contributes to the development of citizens who can participate intelligently in social, political, and economic groups extending from one's own home outward to the world. Bible is a social study that is offered through the cooperation of the churches in the community. It is financed by these churches and is taught in such a manner as not to stress any particular re- ligious belief. Bible l and Bible ll are offered as electives to any student who chooses the course. Many projects and other activities are carried on in these classes. Another course giving credit as a social study is distributive education. Students learn the essentials of production and distribution and the effect of each on the economy of our country. They have only a half-day's work at school, going out on various jobs with cooperating businesses. Students are screened before being allowed to take DE. Also counting as a social study is family living, which is offered for any senior lacking a social studies unit or one who is interested but does not particularly need the credit. Two units of social studies are required for grad- uation, but one of these must be U. S. history. Three homerooms are brought together for U. S. history by television. To see the screen better and to avoid being tempted to talk to one's neighbor, members of the class sit a desk apart. 23

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L 9 it YUU DUNT ' STANDA CHINA AN'S CHANCE uNLl-:ss You READ. One of the attractive bulletin boards encouraged reading. Better Communication From Study Oi Languages Since we are living in a time when all formal learning is being interpreted as preparing one for living, English takes on added importance. It is necessary for other learning, we use it every day in every social and business situation. English early becomes the key to communication with those about us and also the key to communicating with ourselves. We find it in living, in learning, in earning, and enjoying. VVe are at a loss without effective English. To encourage the student to become more adept in the use of his language, North requires three years of English, one each year. In these classes, learning to appreciate what others have written, learning more about others through what has been written, and learning more about oneself at the same time, as well as learning to communicate with others effectively is stressed. Parallel reading is required of each student. North also offers the student the opportunity to study two other languages, French and Latin. Two years of each of these are offered with an 22 additional year of French being offered this year for the first time. French students begin their study with the feel- ing quite often that another language will be diffi- cult, but they soon begin to enjoy the challenge and find much fun in the learning of French. If a student fails to keep up with his work, however, he soon finds himself so far behind that he feels discouraged. The good student does his work as it is assigned and goes into second year French well prepared. Third year French is open to anyone who has passed the first two years. Latin students find the work similar to that of the French student, if one keeps up he has no diffi- culty. Latin gives a good foundation for the study and use of one's own language - English. It aids also in building onefs vocabulary and helping one to understand what others are trying to communi- cate. At North Latin I is taught one year while Latin II is offered the next. There were two classes of Latin I this year.

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For those who had already taken a course in AX ,.r 'MmT ... wffm 'T ' 'Z XX jf.LL Van Cornelius explained a proof to the geometry class as Mr. Marshall checked him. Many new concepts in relation to mathematics have come into being. Because of these new con- cepts, a fairly recent graduate would find himself at a loss to participate in the present math classes. Of course this is not true with all the courses included in the math program, but it is true in some of them. Two and two are still four, but its the method by which one reaches this conclusion that makes the difference. North is participating in the program of the National Defense Education needed materials and supplies ther the training given in language. Much use is made it was sorely needed to keep and methods in these courses. For the first time North is Act whereby many are furnished to fur- math, science, and of this material, for up with new trends offering a combina- tion of plane and solid geometry. Both these courses have been taught at North, but this is the 24 first time for the combination of the two into one course. An integrated algebra and trigonometry course is offered also. This' is comparable to a col- lege freshman course in math. Only those stu- dents who are proficient in math are permitted to take these courses. plane geometry, solid geometry as a separate course is offered this year. Trigonometry is offered as a separate course for the last time this year. Algebra I and Algebra II are offered for the students who want to further their training in math. Business math is offered, also, and is a popular course for those not interested in higher math. Two units of math are required for graduation, but much more math is required and recommended for many entering college. Geometry is one of the college required courses. ,,