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

Page 27 text:

9A ALGEBRA The 9A algebra class has one supreme objective—to acquaint themselves with the symbolism and simple methods of algebra. Reading is the basis of algebra. To be able to interpret algebra, one must be able to understand what he reads. Algebra is very different from arithmetic in many ways. For example: In arithmetic one uses the problem to get the answer; In algebra one sometimes gets the problem by using the answer. The class has studied formulas, equations, positive and negative numbers, fundamental operations, special products, factoring equa- tions, fractional equations, graphs, sets of linear equations, and proportions. “Algebra is a symbolism invented to help man in bis thinking.” 9B ENGLISH Students in the ninth grade are faced with a peculiar situation. By some thev are con- sidered seniors in junior high school; others look upon them as freshmen in senior high school. Their work, likewise, can be called a combination of two things; a review and summary of the subject matter learned in previous years .and a preview and introduc- tion to work to come in senior high school. Because written and oral expression will become more widely used by them in future years, the ninth grade tries to master the basic foundations of English grammar and gain an understanding of the formation of the sentence. In literature, the class concentrates on the short story and the essay which can be used as foundations for future study. One period a week is set aside for free reading to give each student a chance to follow his own in- dividual tastes in literature. 7A SOCIAL STUDIES Social Studies help us learn how modern ways of living have improved over old ways. We are told of different stages of improve- ment. For instance, in the days of Neolithic Man, homes were heated and lighted by fires at the entrances of the caves where men lived. But men saw that these fires did not do much good, because very little of the heat or light went inside the cave. Then they put the fire inside the cave, made a hole in the roof to let out smoke, and finally made a chimney of hides stretched over poles. Much later came furnaces and stoves, for heating, and candles and lamps for light- ing. We have also learned about transportation, communication, and the many uses of fire in our time. To learn about these subjects we first ask questions about them and read our textbooks to find the answers. 7B ENGLISH Why do we have English anyway? What have we been learning? These have been the questions in the minds of our seventh grade students since the beginning of school last fall. Well, for one thing, learning how to make correct sentences has been our principal subject in grammar and is very interesting. Sentences arc merely a tool for expressing ourselves, in speaking and writing. Understanding the structure of language is important. It has been lots of fun see- ing how our sentences can build up and express such clear, complete thoughts. Clear expression in writing, such as spelling and punctuation has been an important subject. Every day we have tried to get in some literature and we have certainly learned to get enjoyment and appreciation of the best examples of expression from our reading. -an