Oakwood High School - Acorn Yearbook (Dayton, OH)

Page 15 text:

if , ' V91 Ii if or Yi l t I i . TP C' THE FAC0,RNi 'W' A A G supplementary readings. With the cooperation of the English department, the results of this reading were incorporated in a 2500-word theme. Many essays were entered in the American Chemical Society Prize Essay Contest. SOCIAL SCIENCES The social sciences include the study of U. S. history, geography and civics in the seventh and eighth years, Ancient History in the tenth year, Modern History in the eleventh year. and American History and Government in the twelfth year. A work book was added to senior American History this year, and more emphasis placed on College Board requirements. First and second places were taken last year by Oakwood students in the Citizenship Essay Contest sponsored by the Civitan Club. Several essays were entered in the contest again this year. LATIN The value of Latin to English and the other subjects in the school curriculum has been stressed throughout the year's work. Many books dealing with classical subjects have been added to the library for collateral reading. An exploratory course has been offered for all seventh-year pupils, and Latin V, equivalent to college freshman Latin, will be added for advanced students. Twelve students will represent the Latin department in the College Board Examinations this year. FRENCH There has been a very definite effort to make the transition from the French of the elementary grades to that of the high school less marked. Great stress has been laid upon the practical side of the language through the introduction of considerable conversational material. Much more composition work has been introduced this year: the students of the advanced classes were required to read at least one supplementary classic in addition to the regular class work. An effort has been made to keep in mind the various college requirements and the usability of the language for travel SPANISH The aim of the Spanish department has been to offer a course that meets all College Board requirements and at the same time stimulates an interest in Spanish as a living language. In order to develop interest in practical Spanish a club has been organized: the outstanding accomplish- ments of this organization this year were the presentation of two Fiestas, one before the Christ- mas holidays and one in May. COMMERCIAL ARTS Typewriting and Shorthand were the only commercial subjects offered this year: advanced shorthand and bookkeeping will be added next year. In beginning typewriting two students distinguished themselves by attaining speeds of fifty-one and fifty-eight words per minute: the requirement for the first year is twenty-five words per minute. In the shorthand class, the entire Gregg manual is completed and students are able to take dictation at a rate of about 60 words per minute on straight material at the end of the year. HOUSEHOLD ARTS The aim of this department is to inculcate a realization of the basic importance of the girl's relationship to the home, along with practical instruction in dress designing and nutrition. An exhibit is held each year before the Christmas Holidays at which time the handwork of the E Y I Eleven

Page 14 text:

I -'ggf A C 0 R N E T f' VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE For the last three years Oakwood has had an unusual course in the senior year in career- finding and in college guidance. All seniors take this course which includes: CID intensive study Q of at least one vocation and an interview with some man or woman in that vocation: C25 the l YZ I l I nh l Ten study of at least one college, including courses offered, and a budget of expenses for first year: C31 a self-analysis study, using outlines and charts that have been prepared. There is also an elementary course in vocational guidance in the seventh year and in the eighth year, in order to give proper direction to the junior high school pupils. STUDENT FORUMS In order to develop self-expression on the part of all pupils. a new project was introduced this year. The seventh and eighth year pupils met as a group of approximately two hundred during the fifth period on every Wednesday afternoon. the ninth year as a group of one hundred met the sixth period, and the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth years met as a group of two hundred and fifty during the seventh period. With the encouragement and suggestions of three respective faculty committees, these groups carried out weekly programs of expression work in vocal and instrumental music, art, physical education. parliamentary procedure, talks, discussions, debates. reports, and playlets. As high as fifty in number have taken part in one weekly program. As a result of these programs there is confidence and self-assurance and a spontaneity that gives promise of active participation and leadership in future adult affairs. This year has also seen for the first time the formation of permanent subject committees among the faculty for the purpose of studying and revising the curriculum. A complete tentative outline of the course of study has been compiled and printed. We are including in this report the summaries of the work carried on in the different depart- ments of the school as prepared by the chairman of these departments. . ENGLISH The English department has sought to develop ability to read with understanding and to write correctly. More and better creative wlork especially in poetry, has been done this year and use of the library for supplementary reading has increased. Last June three eleventh-year students and three twelfth-year students passed Comprehensive College Board English. One ninth-year girl and one seventh year girl won first prizes in their respective years in the Dayton Community Chest Essay Contest. MATHEMATICS In our schools all pupils study mathematics through the eleventh year. Students who intend to enter Engineering schools may take Solid Geometry and Trigonometry in the twelfth year. More work has been accomplished by the mathematics classes this year than previously. The x and y classes in the eighth year were able to finish arithmetic by the middle of the year and begin regular Algebra. This step-up in the course will permit the addition of Advanced Algebra to our curriculum in the middle of the tenth year. This additional course will aid our graduates in industry and give them special advantages in their freshman year in college mathematics. NATURAL SCIENCES E In the sciences, including Elementary Science in the seventh and eighth years, Biology in the ninth. Chemistry in the eleventh, and Physics in the twelfth, accuracy, thoroughness, and logical thinking have been emphasized. In Biology the pupil is trained to respect and protect his own body and all living things. The year's work in Chemistry and in Physics has been marked by drill in precise statement of theory and accuracy in calculation, together with broad .. DV.-

Page 16 text:

I qi I ll' M. W ll 5 THE ACORNL CW' I girls in this department is displayed. The spring fashion revue, in which the girls model clothes made during the year, was included this spring in the original musical comedy, When Dreams Come True. INDUSTRIAL ARTS There are three divisions in this department: General Shop, Printing, and Mechanical Drawing. Included in the first mentioned is foundry work: casting in sand, ornamental wrought iron, and omamental weather vanes: electric motors: pottery: airplane and ship models: some cement projects. The printing classes turn out display matter for school projects, print regu- larly the Oak Leaf and Elementary School Bulletin. Mechanical Drawing includes freehand sketching in the seventh and eighth years and engineering, architectural, and airplane drawing in the elective classes. FINE ARTS AND CRAFTS The activities of this department have been varied and interesting. Textile designing was one of the chief projects and the exhibit cases of the school were bright for a time with beautiful material. One student enjoys the distinction of winning a national award for her design. Eight students in this department won second place in the national group award sponsored by the Magazine World. Advanced pupils have made illustrations for magazine covers and have drawn from cast and life. Beginning classes have enjoyed the crafts, particularly Woodblock printing, leather tooling, book-binding, and soap sculpture. All have gained in skill and an appreciation of liner things. MUSIC Music achievements of the year include: The performance of standard light opera by the senior chorus groups: individual and class vocal lessons to 16 individuals: instrumental lessons to 23 persons: the development of the school band into a concert organization: participation in inter-class glee club contest by all six of the choral groups of the school: establishment in the curriculum of a full-time course in Musical Theory CI-Iarmonyj, drawing full credit: introduc- tion and successful operation of a point system for evaluating achievement and credits in all music and assembly activities: successful performance in 57 appearances before the public: par- ticipation in elective music activities of 35 per cent of the entire student body and an enrollment in all elective music courses of more than 280. PHYSICAL EDUCATION Classes in Physical Education are conducted twice a week for boys and for girls. The aim of these classes is to have every pupil participate in athletics, thus fostering the all-around development of the boy or girl. Intramural sports are sponsored by this department and all pupils are given an opportunity to represent their classes on some team. Hygiene lectures are also included in this course. The Physical Education department gave its second annual demon- stration this year, before members of the Parent-Teacher Association. v Q 5 Q LAI -ll we snags: Twelve