Benjamin Russell High School - Echo Yearbook (Alexander City, AL)

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Julius Caesar, and emphasizes the development of logical paragraphs. The work is supplemented by a course in informal speaking and by book reports. lunior English places emphasis on each of the language arts—listening, speaking, reading, and particularly writing on a more advanced level, with detailed instruction in theme writing. Choral reading participating on programs in observation of special occasions and panel discussions enrich the junior English program. Senior English is designed to produce students who can write coherently and effectively. For those w'ho are planning to attend college, instruction in theme waiting, literature analysis and vocabulary enrichment is given. ♦ ♦ ♦ Latin Latin is the only foreign language offered at BRHS. It is taught with these aims in mind—to acquire a knowledge of formal grammar both in Latin and English, to build vocabulary, to show the relation between Latin and English and the Romance languages, to gain information of the history of Rome and her people so as to give a clear understanding of the Latin translations, to stimulate an interest in and an appreciation of our cultural background, to make the students aware of the influence of the Latin language in our lives today—by pointing up foreign w'ords and phrases in scientific terminology, law, etc. ♦ ♦ ♦ Vocational Department Two years of vocational agriculture are offered to BRHS boys. The first year course is a study of agricul tural projects w'hich every citizen needs to know, such as home gardening, flower grow'ing, tending home lawns, and making simple repairs. The second year course is basically a farm mechanics course, stressing wood working, elementary electricity, simple plumbing, welding and elementary sheet metal w'ork. Instruction is also given in figuring material costs and other mathematical problems related to home problems. The agriculture program is designed to develop leadership, citizenship, and patriotism in a basically agrarian society. The classroom w'ork is supplemented w'ith the laboratory shop, educational films, and field trips to homes and businesses. Diversified Occupations, an integral part of the total school program, has for its over all aim to assist people in choosing a suitable trade, industrial, or technical occupation, to prepare themselves for it, to gain advantageous entry into it, and to make satisfactory progress in it. It is intended to serve those who want it, need it, and can profit by it, and will use it in useful and productive work. The use of the study guide is perhaps the most efficient tool in the teaching procedure. Every occupation has a studv guide, and it is useful only in that occupation. A study guide lists all the jobs that a person must learn to do in order to be efficient in that occupation. From the list of jobs, a job sheet is made for every job. These job sheets indicate what one needs to know' in order to do that particular job. Special attention is paid to matn, science, safety, and mechanical principles on these job sheets. Textbooks are used to find this information. Occupations in which students are training this year include auto mechanics, auto body and fender repair, lab technician, plumbing, radio and TV, electrician, cosmetology, unlicensed practical nurse, textiles, electrical appliance repair, auto machinist, projection (movie), doctors assistant. Home Economics I and II are designed to broaden a girl's understanding of and efficiency in all areas of homemaking. In the field of clothing, girls are taught care, renovation and construction of attractive clothes. In the home unit girls learn to select and care for home furnishings, to prepare and serve well-balanced meals, and to care for the sick. Child care and guidance are also emphasized. The home economics program is enriched by laboratory instruction in sewing and food preparation and by visual aids. ♦ ♦ ♦ Journalism Department There are many rewards of student journalism. First, journalistic experience helps create the ability to formulate and express ideas. The journalists learn how' to recognize, analyze, interpret, and organize pertinent facts concisely and quickly. Secondly, a student can improve his skills in grammar through writing and editing. Journalism also develops a person’s curiosity for finding information as well as keeping abreast with the changing world. There are manv factors that should improve a student’s desire and ability to show accuracy and responsibility. Finally, students seeking college publication positions have a head start with past experience. They have already been drilled in securing the news and perfecting the copy. College organizations w'ant students who have learned to work with people and to give and take orders and suggestions. This is all a part of high school journalism activities. By working on a high school newspaper or yearbook staff, students can improve themselves for the future —not just for a journalism career, but for any future occupation. ♦ ♦ ♦ Science Department General Science is in content very much as the name applied to it. T his deals with many of the general categories of science, yet never endeavoring to seek out any of the specifics that w'ould be related to the science In presenting this course the attempt is made to develop a yearning for science. This desire for the knowl-

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Curriculum The Benjamin Russell High School is accredited by the State of Alabama and also by the Southern Asso ciation of Colleges and Secondary Schools. This excellent rating entitles graduates of the high school to enter the state university and any other college or university in the state making up the territory of the Southern Association for college study without examination. + ♦ + Commercial Department The curriculum of the Benjamin Russell High School lends itself well to three patterns of learning—the academic course, the commercial course, and the vocational course. Basic courses are required in all but the com mercial and vocational departments; however, a student may choose electives from any or all departments. The basis of a sound commercial program is the mastery of techniques and skills usable in business and the attainment of attitudes, habits, ideals and accomplishments implied by “desirable business behavior”. The content of Shorthand I consists basically of three things—reading, writing and transcribing shorthand. At the end of the first year students should be able to take dictation at a rate of sixty-eight words per minute for five minutes. In Shorthand 11 students are expected to advance to the vocational stage of proficiency in taking and transcribing shorthand. They are expected to take it at 80-120 words per minute. The aim ol Typewriting is to give students sufficient typing skill for their own use and to provide a foundation for those who intend to use it for vocational purposes. Students at the end of one year of typing should perform on a ten minute test a minimum of thirty words per minute. Advanced typewriting is correlated and integrated with advanced shorthand. The students are required to attain a marketable skill and are given thorough training in special forms, business letters, legal documents, telegrams, and tabulation. Speed is developed to fifty words per minute on a ten minute test. The Commercial department has 34 typewriters and 34 textbooks. The record player is used to encourage rhythm in typing and also break the monotony of the routine work. Bookkeeping is designed to give a general knowledge of b x)kkeeping and accounting to all who wish to understand our modern economic system, to give a detailed knowledge of bookkeeping and accounting to every person who plans to own or operate any kind of business and to those who do office work. Business Law provides students wtih a comprehension of their legal rights and responsibilities in everyday business transaction. Included in the course is information about laws governing sales, contracts, negotiable papers and insurance. Students develop a knowledge of good business ethics and a greater interest in matters of civic responsibility. Business Arithmetic furnishes a basic knowledge of commercial arithmetic. The course furnishes opportunity for acquiring accuracy and speed in the fundamentals of arithmetic and provides a background for other courses in business. + + 4 Social Studies Department In the Social Studies Department, the students study ways of strengthening democratic beliefs and principles and ol carrying out the democratic policy in the classroom. The modern time of crisis demands personal dedication to hold the best hope of free peoples in a changing world. In Civics the class starts its study with one person and builds into the family, from the family to the town or city, from town or city to the county, from the county to the State, from state to national government and then into the United Nations. Civics is the political science that deals with the rights of citizens and citizenship. The course textbook is supplemented with reference books, mock trials and an annual tour of the State Capitol. Hie study of world history is a serious attempt to make the present social world intelligible. The under lying assumption is that the study of the past contributes to an understanding of the present. Man can be seen at his lowest and worst, and seeing this may create in the student a desire for conduct more becoming to the dignity of human examples of heroisms, of patience under suffering, of loving service, of eloquence moving men to better things, of passionate pursuit of the good, the beautiful and the true moments which, if properlv presented, will make young people feel they are standing on holy ground. ♦ ♦ ♦ The English Department The English Department has as its aim to teach students the English skills needed for success in todays world. 1 he one essential tool for every sort of leader today is skill in the use of words, the ability to com municate with others both through the written and the oral words. Emphasis is placed on each of the language arts—listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Freshman English stresses formal grammar, the writing of character sketches, and the reading of classics on the students ability level. LIsed to enrich the course are travel slides in color, recordings and a related course in art, published by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Sophomore English continues formal grammar, introduces the students to a serious Shakespearean play,

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edge of science is produced in several ways—through the use of the textbook, the workbook, classroom and laboratory experiments, films, and field trips. In General Science if we can plant the seed of desire for science, then later courses can do research and branch off into various fields related to science. The Biology classes attempt to develop an appreciation for the attitude and method of a scientist, to present biological facts in such a manner that the student realizes their importance to his own well-being and applies these facts to his present and future needs. Biological concepts may be related to many practical situations such as the choice of a vocation, a selection of a hobby and the care for one’s mental and bodily growth and vigor. Biology gives students pleasure. It has leisure time value in the enjoyment of the out-of-doors. Few subjects add so much to the general culture of the individual by giving him more objects of interest and information. Biology also enables students to develop an understanding of the basic principles of life, and Biology offers an opportunity for lifetime service, study and activity. The world of today looks to the scientists of tomorrow for a cure for cancer, for better methods of combatting many diseases, and for the answers to numerous other unsolved problems. In the teaching of Physics and Chemistry, these are the objectives: A. To present chemistry and physics with simplicity and directness so that every student may gain or achieve maximum understanding. B. To lead the student to see how the application of scientific laws and principles have made possible a better way of life for the present generation and for those to come. C. To afford the student opportunities to solve problems, perform experiments and make discoveries for themselves by applying these laws and principles in the laboratory and in home experiments. “To learn by doing” as the psychologist says. D. To inspire the students especially talented in science to follow a career in some field of work for government, industry, or education, and to lead him to feel that he is needed by his generation because of his talents and abilities. To accomplish these objectives, we begin with a thorough study of the facts and principles as presented in our carefully selected text book. This may be supplemented with reference book material, library references, magazines, charts and laboratory experiences. ♦ ♦ ♦ Mathematics Department Mathematics in its various branches is extremely important in our daily lives, and unless everybody is taught how to use numbers in the schools, our modern way of living would not be possible. This science contains many important subjects such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and a large number of others. The study of algebra is one of the most profitable mental occupations. The mind of the student is introduced to a new kind of language, a mathematical one. The brain is quickened and stimulated by working on complex expressions and equations. Algebra demands accuracy and concentration to a high degree. Algebra has a very great practical value because all mathematics beyond arithmetic is either related to it or based on it. Such mathematics include calculus, analytical and solid geometry, and trigonometry. A sound knowledge of all these subjects is absolutely necessary for the person who plans to work in any of the various fields of science. For the advanced mathematics courses—solid geometry, trigonometry and advanced algebra-the students should have already achieved mastery of the basic mathematical processes. The courses are taught by a combination of lecture and problem solving, using the black board. The aims of the math program are: 1. To impress on the student the necessity of memorizing facts. 2. To lead the students to develop the correct habits and skills that are appropriate to his work. 3. To help the student develop the ability to recognize the applicability of his knowledge. 4. To lead the student to see his capabilities to review, revise, and rework the problem until the conclusion drawn is valid. ♦ ♦ ♦ Music Department The aim of the chorus is centered around creating a more enjoyable life through music reading, production, and participation. Mechanics of reading, tone production and ear training are studied to increase a good quality of tone and better reading ability. I he selections range from Bach to Kerus. From this group of selections we learn articulation, enunciation and intonation in order to sing with understanding and better deliverance. The band makes valuable contributions to school life throughout the year by providing suitable music, whether spirited or serious, at student gatherings. The band participates, in pep rallies, plays during football games and presents half time shows, and cooperates in providing patriotic music for Veterans Day and similar programs. The band also presents two concerts during the year. The primary aim for the band is to create in B.R.H.S. students a love of a variety of music and to develop musical talent in the band members. ♦ ♦ Physical Education Department (SEE ATHLETICS DIVISION)