Rock Island High School - Watchtower Yearbook (Rock Island, IL)

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ENGLISH. The English course provides, during the Hrst semester of each year, for a study of the skills necessary in oral and written expression. The second semester courses give emphasis to literature and the maintenance of English essentials. In all courses, students are encouraged to read freely. Each year a magazine is published containing the best written work done in English classes. Four years of English are required, but one year of journalism, which gives training in composition and practical newspaper work, may be substituted. LANGUAGES. Latin, French, German, and Spanish are offered to the students. The languages form a cultural background and may be used directly. The courses in these languages broaden the minds of the students and also teach them the customs of other nations. Four years of Latin and three of both French and German are given. Only second year Spanish is taught. SOCIAL SCIENCE. The social science department aims to give the student a knowl- edge of social conditions and good citizenship. European history is offered to all stu- dents. Only juniors and seniors are eligible for American history, which is required for graduation. They may also choose commercial geography, civics, sociology, or advanced soci- ology which deal with political, business, industrial, and social problems. A course in freshman social science is also offered. SCIENCE. Chemistry, physics, biology, and home economics compose this depart- ment. Elementary inorganic chemistry and elementary physics are open to juniors and seniors. Biology is offered to any student. Two years of cooking and two of sewing are taught. These subjects are made attractive and practical by laboratory work in well-equipped laboratories. MATHEMATICS. The mathematics department offers plane geometry in the sopho- more year, advanced algebra and solid geometry in the junior year, and trigonometry and college algebra in the senior year. Algebra centers about the study of the equation, formula and graphg geometry, the properties and relations of geometrical figures and solids, and trigonometry, indirect measurement by the solution of triangles. COMMERCIAL. If a student correlates his subjects carefully, he will be prepared at graduation for both college and business. Two years of shorthand and two of typewriting are offered to juniors and seniors. One semester of business arithmetic, and three of accounting may be begun in the sophomore year. FINE ARTS. This group adds much to the beauty, culture, and entertainment of school life in providing music, dramatic productions, and art work for the appreciation and aesthetic enjoyment of the students and community. Art, band, glee club, music theory, and speech are taught. MANUAL ARTS. Machine shop, mechanical drawing, woodwork, and printing comprise this group. These classes provide a means for developing technical skill and aids in the discovery of special interests and aptitudes. These are practical subjects which develop the appreciation of industry and the invaluable habit of work. The printing of the entire school system is done in the printing classes. STUDY. In addition to the regular divisions of the school there are several depart- ments which aid in the success of the school's curriculum. A library of approximately eight thousand books is maintained where students may borrow books and where they may study. Supervised study is carried on in three study halls at all periods of the day. To minmize the cost of books the school has established a book store which rents the textbooks to the students at a nominal fee. Other supplies are sold here at cost. 9