Thornton Township High School - Thorntonite Yearbook (Harvey, IL)

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I V [un and . J Ia O nvironmenl To understand present day life one must know the story of the human race from the beginning of history to the present day. As one traces hfe down through the ages, he finds that men have continually fought to preserve their rights and their liberty. Today we are continu- ing the long, hard struggle that began thousands of years ago. To understand the history of the world, to k now our country better, and to practice good conduct are the purposes of the Social Science department. Through a study of civics, students learn the rights and duties of good citizens in a democ- racy, as well as the structure of the government. Law teaches them rules for correct conduct in social and business relations, and gives the students opportunities to practice what they know by finding the solutions to hypothetical problems similar to those by which they will be confronted when they leave school. The world with its mountains and deserts, its races of all colors, its products of torrid and frigid zones, its man made boundaries, these are the subjects for study in geography. Sociology, the science of the forms, institu- tions, and functions of human groups, and eco- nomics, the science that deals with the produc- tion, distribution, and consumption of wealth, complete the work of the Social Science depart- ment under the direction of Mr. J. F. Zimmer- man. Mr. Clarence Stegmeir directs the work of those studying history. In order to understand present world relations and actions and to tell what may possibly be the results of the present world-wide conflict, man must understand what has gone before. European history tells the story from the time of the cave man to the French Revolution ; modern history, a continua- tion of European history, reveals the story of Europe from the time of the French Revolution to the present. The history of our own country teaches its students to appreciate the freedom and democracy which they so unconsciously enjoy. Students learn about men and women who have struggled to make this country the promised land and learn to appreciate the meaning of the words of the people, by the people, and for the people. ■29

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Because the study of languages gives insight Into a nation ' s cultural characteristics, the pres- ent conflict has made that study more important than ever. To understand how other nations think and act, one must have a knowledge of their language. The four foreign languages taught at Thorn- ton are French, German, Latin, and Spanish ; Miss Mildred Anderson heads the department. Sine some of the most hallowed customs of our land are of foreign origin, the study of the languages of other lands helps us to under- stand better a number of the customs of our own country. French is the key which opens fascinating doors to quaint customs, graceful architecture, and once placid countrysides. German offers the student a knowledge of a substantial people who early developed great talent in medicine, mathematics, and the physi- cal sciences. No, Rome was not built in a day, nor are the language, customs, and civilization of the Romans learned in that short a time. Only long hours of study reveal the characteristics of those people who codified laws and built empires. Manana tells the story of our neighbors to the south. Realizing the increasing im- portance of our southern neighbors. Spanish classes at Thornton are growing. The present world crisis has brought about closer relation- ships between Latin and North America.

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rlcinalei cind Did you ever think of all the times you use mathematics? Every time you count your change upon making a purchase, number your paper for a test, or keep score for a game you use some form of mathematics. Many boys and girls who in the past have seen no use for mathematics are awakening to the fact that they have been wrong. The boys find that algebra, geom- etry, and trigonometry are necessary in branches of the armed service besides aeronautics. Girls today are taking tech- nical jobs which were formerly held by men and which require advanced mathe- matics. In the Thornton department, under the direction of Mr. Guy Phillips, each stu- dent is offered three and a half years of mathematics. The algebra of the first year seems to consist of many x ' s, y ' s, and z ' s. Plane geometry with its squares, tri- angles, and rectangles follows, and then those who wish can study advanced courses in algebra, solid geometry, and trigonometry. The teachers of the Mathematics de- partment hold regularly scheduled after- school sessions for those who do not read- ily grasp the material presented. With such willing cooperation on the part of the teachers there is no reason for stu- dents not doing their best. The Science department provides an ex- cellent background for life in the scien- tific world of today. General science, which is a required course for all fresh-