Richard Montgomery High School - Rocket Yearbook (Rockville, MD)

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ENGLISH During the first school semester, the Junior Academic English class studied American literature. With first a brief background of English literature, they took up extensively the growth of American literature from Colonial times to the present day. Supplementary work was done in grammar, themes, hook reports, and oral talks. The second semester members of the class made a mural depicting the development of American drama. BIOLOGY Biology, a study of living things, shows us the way in which all organisms are related. Frogs, fishes, grasshoppers and worms are dissected in order to see their internal structure so that their functions may be better understood. Sometimes organs from the higher animals are brought into class because they more closely resemble our own. One of the very interesting units in biology is the one dealing with reproduction. Besides the work with laboratory specimens, research is done on the relation of organisms to one another and to their environments. Biology probably fits the present living needs of the students as well as any other subject in the curriculum because it comes closer to our immediate interests. AMERICAN HISTORY Democracy dominates in the American History class in the discussions in which everyone takes part. This year Miss Trader has made an interesting subject of history by having panel discussions, debates, and dramatizations presented by the class. Everyone in the class feels that much has been learned about American History and also about many interesting sidelights of other countries. GEOMETRY Geometry is a very beneficial as well as an interesting subject. In this course every student has an opportunity in which to express himself and bring out his own ideas. The student is instructed when help is needed, but in every phase of the subject the pupils ideas are first expressed. If a solution cannot be found by the student he is aided by his classmates. If still the problem cannot be solved the instructor stimulates the minds of the class—not, however, stating the full solution. In later years geometry will be of value to the pupil, as many occupations are centered around it and in every phase of academic work at some time it is needed. It is also beneficial by encouraging the student to look at all sides of a problem instead of only one, thus broadening his mind. He also can come to realize there is not just one solution to every problem, but perhaps many. [20]

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MECHANICAL DRAWING Mechanical drawing is now offered in school in a complete four year course. The first year is the ninth grade, in which a nine weeks’ course is taken and the simple fundamentals of drawing, such as lettering, different kinds of lines, learning to use inking pens and doing simple drawings, are taught. The boys get the background for their drawing in following years in which they learn to do more difficult drawings and to use the scale rule and many other instruments. ELEMENTARY BUSINESS This year, in the form of an Elementary Business course, the IOC group is learning about the major phases of business. Under the capable guidance of Mr. Norris, the class has accomplished much. The different topics taken up by the Elementary Business class were: hanking, checks, filing, drafts, insurance, buying and retail selling. These topics will be of great value to the students in future years, because they are topics used in everyday life. HOME ARTS Cooking and sewing are not to be scoffed at by anyone. Students arc given instruction in these subjects when they first enter Junior High School, so it can be seen that it is considered important. Even in these modern days, a girl should have some knowledge of cooking, making clothes, budgeting, and other domestic activities. Home Arts classes provide instruction for the students in these things, as well as pleasure in trying their hands at new diversions. ALGEBRA In the first year Algebra class, much has been accomplished. As this is the first mat lunatics of this kind for the students, they have been trying, first, to get the fundamentals which are essential in later Algebra and higher mathematics. Second, they have learned how to work simple problems correctly and accurately, so that when they reach harder work they will have a solid background. Much stress has been put on the fact that it is better to be slower than the average, and get the important principles, than to cover a lot of territory, but miss the main points. [19]

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CIVICS A knowledge of the manner in which our own government is run is offered by one of the most stimulating studies offered to the commercial freshman. The civics teacher has led her civics classes into realms of knowledge which many adults have never explored. These ninth grade students learn all about the various divisions of the national government. The purpose and duties of each important member of the executive department, judicial department, and legislative department, are studied. Fire protection, safety, and community health are other factors studied. MUSIC A phase of school life which delights the majority of students is music. Miss Bakers 7th and 8th grade classes have enjoyed several hours each week in studying music. This time has been profitably spent, learning how to read notes, ringing folk songs and other songs, and listening to a victrola and radio. So outstanding is the work done by the music classes that a special account of them, entitled “What We Do in Music,” has been placed on page 23. HEALTH SCIENCE The eighth grade Health Science class has covered two large factors of study this year. During the first half of the school year, the students took up the study of human body. Care of the eyes, teeth, and general health came in with this, as well as the respiratory system and circulatory system. Community health was covered by the class during the last semester. Experiments ami references aided this group, under the instruction of Mrs. Butz, to acquire some of the most vital knowledge of their school careers. ART Under Miss Day’s expert supervision and helpful criticism, the art groups have progressed rapidly this year. They have been instructed in practical work and in just sketching for pleasure. Pile art of lettering neatly and attractively has been mastered by these junior high students. Colorful flower sketches were made and hung in the cafeteria. The art room was a panorama of color all year, due to the untiring effort and enthusiasm displayed by the art students. [21]