Northwest High School - Vanguard Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

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To provide Northwest students with the most com- prehensive education possible, several depart- ments added new courses to the curriculum and employed new equipment as well as updated teaching methods. Northwest's curriculum, which included 307 courses, was planned with the students' individual needs and interests in mind. Some courses were added to the curriculum by the request of the par- ents, for example, ROTC was initiated by the par- ents in l968. Parents also suggested a course in automobile mechanics, but due to lack of sufficient automobile facilities, it was questionable if this course would become reality. The English department, which assigned students to classes on the basis of teacher recommenda- tions, reading test scores and IQ scores, concen- trated its efforts on improved reading and spelling. English classes were given routine spelling and vo- cabulary tests and new reading machines were also used to increase reading speed and com- prehension. ln the spring, the English department organized mini-courses which lasted lO days and were concerned with subjects including astrology, sports literature, creative writing, debate and im- promtu speaking. These courses required no tests or homework and grades were based on the passffail system. The mini-courses helped students develop reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. In keeping with this improved reading policy, students enrolled in French 9 read the full-length French novel,L'Etranger while Spanish students made in-depth studies of lessons offered in their textbooks. lcontinued, p. l8l Research papers for English classes involved a great deal of work for teacher and student alike. After the student has taken notes, outlined, written and rewritten, the teacher must evaluate each paper individ- ually, checking for content, form and grammar. Mrs. Doris Bradford tabulated the number of grammar errors committed by her English 7 classes, with the following results: punctuation errors 2,221 spelling errors 819 incorrect use of pronoun 363 dangling modifiers 262 shifts in tense of verb 223 faulty paralleism 207 faulty diction l 39 misplaced modifiers l 25 sentence fragments 87 run-on sentences 68 K .J

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laj Miss Elizabeth Brayton seems satisfied as she listens to her French students recite in the foreign language lab. lbj Intent on accuracy, chem- istry students Bonnis Martin and Yvonne Morton, juniors, try to determine a compound by noting its characteristics. Q fr 1 m y ,. 5: I ,. 1, gc 74 A sl 'l A .K LJ. f . , A-S! sta HY .Q -- g L, 5?:i. fu:f ' -- - , fs- sf' s-sq: lc, Striving to become a multi- media center, the library at- tracts many students during study halls for research or leisurely reading. ldj Encouraged by Race the clock on the wall, students make ready for a timed read- ing in a new course, speed reading, initiated for college- bound seniors. as gi- 'S if ' S4 s 1 S ess., gitiiifiz :i:s-Wi'-2 1 f 14 . Z.. g. . s ,S W 1 Cl-IUUL IIUF'iF'l.lE'LlLLI!Ill A JUST 16

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The science department furnished a number of Physics and Chemistry students with the opportunity to travel to the University of Chicago, November I3. While touring the university, these students examined the science facil- ities and listened to lectures on a wide range of topics. opportunity to travel to the University of Chicago, No- vember I3. While touring the university, these students examined the science facilities and listened to lectures on a wide range of topics. For students completing General Math I-2 and desir- ing to continue in math, Geometry IX was added to the curriculum. The math department also offered advanced computer math using the schooI's computer terminal and the basic machine language. - at ...I 1 X fl .f-: . J it . , A . The business department obtained the first computer given to a school business department in Indianapolis. The new computer was used by data processing, ma- chine calculus, and bookkeeping classes, teachers in this department received special training for its operation. Business opportunities, a new course which helped stu-4 dents recognize what vocations they were best suited for, was also added. The Apprenticeship Information Center of the Indiana Security Division loaned the industrial arts department its films concerning apprenticeship programs. Students learned what programs were available and what the qualifications were for each. The music department employed revised teaching methods with the A, B, and D bands and during specific grading periods, the Concert Choir adopted a self-grad- ing system. The library, which circulated approximately l,339 of its 24,825 volumes monthly, completely changed its traditional image to that of a multi-media center. By compiling all audio visual equipment, pamphlets, over- lays, and books in a single card catalogue, students were able to do all research work in one location. The library also obtained a copying machine which allowed students to duplicate materials as opposed to the usual routine of checking them out. In addition, new reader printers with microfilmed occupational briefs studentsl discover iob opportunities in the surrounding community. Miss Cynthia Werner directed a new special educa- tion program which was created to provide certain stu- dents with individual attention. The program was di- vided into three classes composed of approximately I4 students each and dealt with such subjects as English, citizenship, and guidance. Students in these classes were allowed to pursue the different topics for extended periods of time.