George Mason High School - Mustang Yearbook (Falls Church, VA)

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Team Government 44 Solves Problems ” Steven Cymrot A.B., Brown University; LL.B., Harvard Law School. Civics. Government. Psychol- ogy. Debate Team. Hi-Y . Senior Class Sponsor. James McBlair A.B., M.A., University of California. Gov- ernment. U. S. Civilization, World History, Economics, Medieval History. A.F.S.. Inter- national Relations Club. Chairman. Junior Class Sponsors. Gregory Williams B.A., Ball State University. Government . US. Virginia History. Key Club. Junior Class Sponsor. “Read the next chapter for tomorrow” was a forgotten cliche in government classes this year, with the team approach making use of lectures and resource materials to teach stu- dents political principles. Mr. James McBlair with colleagues Mr. Greg Williams and Mr. Steve Cymrot, gave students the opportunity to learn through ex- perience rather than from a text book. Divided into two congressional committees. Public Welfare and Appropriations, and repre- senting various members of the Senate, the class considered and defeated an educational subsidy bill early in the year. A six week study of metropolitan problems through four basic approaches, a paper on the problems of hypo- thetical city Rednow, and the annual municipal work shop at City Hall highlighted the course. Team government class considers an educational subsidy bill. 21

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Inductive Method Used In Social Studies Courses Informal classes and lengthy group dis- cussions characterized social studies courses as a part of the department ' s strong emphasis on individual student needs. To accomplish this. Economics, and Ancient and Medieval History electives were added to the curriculum, and documentary materials were used to supplement basic texts. Ex- perimental core English Social Studies classes added strength and depth to the in- ductive teaching method. During the year, a special committee of elementary. Junior High and high school teachers studied the entire system ' s social studies curriculum. This was in preparation for a major revision in coming years. Jerolyn Taylor B.A.. Peabody College. Virginia History, Geog- raphy. Seventh Grade Sponsor. Justine Toman B.S.. St. Louis University. U.S. Vir- ginia History, Internationa I Relations. International Relations Club. Sophomore Class Sponsor. Debate Club. Left to right, seated: Susi Crate. Karen Deans. Helen Troy. Stand- ing: Lorenzo Rocca. Jimmy Leonard, Ann Wood. President. 20

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IRC Hears Speakers From Ireland , New Zealand , International Relations Club. Left to right, kneeling: Santiago Vera, Kip Hewitt, Jim Mims, David Crane, Vice-president ; Forrest Hunter, President ; Fred Lundy, Treas- urer; Cal Simmons, John Jenkins. Second row: Meredy Wollenberg, Marcia Tabor, Libbi Garrison, Sue Thackrey, Ginny Callanen, Secretary; Caroline Baum, Kathy Crane, Debbie McMillen, Raili Ojala, Mr. McBlair, Sponsor; Janie Pope. Carolyn Hardman B.A., M.A.. University of Rochester. World History. Freshman Class Sponsor. Linda Peterson B.A.. University of California. Virginia History. V. S. Virginia History. Seventh Grade Sponsor. 22