Washington Park High School - Kipikawi Yearbook (Racine, WI)

Page 18 text:

Standing: Blanche Racine, Margaret Knudson, Anna L. Neitzel, Helen Rodefer. Sitting: Rose W. Bruins, Kate T. Sogard, Alma Weichers. LANGUAGE Latin, which has existed since long before the death of Christ, is still a fundamental fac- tor in our language and work of today. Down through the ages all educated and cultured people have studied and spoken it, and many languages, including French, Spanish, and English, have been derived from it. Today it is a great asset to every doctor or lawyer to have a knowledge of Latin and the romance languages. Our language department here at school, which is situated at the east end of the second floor, consists of Latin, German, and French. Mrs. Sogard heads this department, and un- der her are Miss Wiechers, Miss Rodefer, Miss Knudson. In addition Miss Racine teaches two French classes, Mrs. Bruins and Miss Neitzel each two German classes. To create a proper atmosphere all the French and German classes are conducted in the language which they are studying, and to brighten their daily toil, the Students play games and sing songs which prove helpful to them. In the German classes, programs are planned by the students every week, and the lives of well known German characters of today and of the past are discussed. The seven Latin classes, although not conducted in the Latin language, are kept very busy reading Latin and translating. The Caesar classes acquire a knowledge of the Roman method of warfare and the modern parallels. They gain an insight into the personality of Caesar, who has been pronounced the most complete man of all history. Students Studying Cicero and Vergil learn much concerning the history and customs of old Rome and also the history of the world at that time. The classes in beginning Latin make a special Study of the Roman house, drawing a floor plan and planning its furniture. French with Miss Knudson Miss Wiechers In Mrs. Bruins German Jlass

Page 17 text:

Standing: Blanche Racine, Rose V. Bruins, Anna L. Neit:el. Dorothy A. Root. Sitting: Frances Enright, Mary A. Potter, [da E Howe. MATHEMATICS Trying to run our civilized world without the use of mathematics would he like trying to run an automobile without lubricating oil. The study of mathematics began through necessity. When the first savage brought home his kill and divided it among his kin, he was applying mathematics. Had he talked about the principles of this division, he would have been offering an elementary course in arith- metic. From this point onward to the algebra which students today have had the privilege of studying the growth of mathematics has taken on increasing significance. For our compli- cated economic system, our gigantic engineering projects, our prodigious architectural en- terprises make mathematics indispensible for those who expect to contribute to civilization. In this school three semesters in the mathematics department are required for an academic course, and these include one semester of algebra and one year of plane geometry. The semester of algebra is a continuation of work begun in junior high schools. One of the projects in the mathematics courses is the making of figures tor solid geometry. Wire, wood, soap, tin, almost ny available materi al finds some form of usefulness under the ingenuity of students. 1 earning the use of the slide rule is another and not the least significant ele- ment ot the mathematics course. And foi some who become quite skillful, the u the surveyor ' s transit alii ids such interesl ing activities as measuring the height of the flag pole or of a building. rx

Page 19 text:

Standing: L.uir.i E. DuFour, Willard J. Iselin, Dorothy Perham Sitting: Gertrude Hunter, Harriet A. Harvey, Mary E Pugh -. SOCIAL SCIENCES History, the Story of the world, is the only subject that just grew . All other subjects were worked up to the place they now hold. History must always remain as it is now written except for the additions of new events as time goes on. The Social Science Department is made up of a group of studies namely. Economics, Current History, Civics, Early European History, Modern History, and American History; the last being the only one of the six that is required. Civics acquaints us with our government and its method of working, thus sending us out into the world better prepared to be good citizens of our country. Early European and Modern History can really be considered under one heading, for the latter is only a continuation of the former. Five thousand B. C. seems to be a long, long, time ago, and to be sure, it is; yet as one Studies this period, its people and customs, they seem as happenings ot only yesterday. American History, because it deals with our own people and the background ot our nation, naturally interests us above the other courses. As American citizens we are in- terested m the organizing of our government and the open ng of the West, for had it not been for these two things, our nation might today be a second rate power. This department is not all work and no play . One of the interesting projects ot not such ancient history was the International Program. Such an exhibition helps to acquaint us with the various peoples of the world, thus creating a better feeling toward other races. The History Department is really doing missionary work, for it helps to promote world understanding, which is of vital interest to us as a nation today. Miss DuFour Mi-- Hirvev