Pekin High School - Pekinian Yearbook (Pekin, IL)

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Writing Stressed In English Class Oh-h-h no! How am I ever gonna get this theme done? This statement can be heard from several students whose themes' due dates are just around the corner. It's almost impossible for students to escape those painstaking days of theme writing, especially since English classes are being based more on writing. Each student in the class of '82 is required to pass six semesters of English which includes English 1, 2, 5, and 6. Class of '83 and classes following had a change last year in the number of credits required for English. Instead of the usual six credits, they are now in units, (one unit is equivalent to two credits). Each student is required to have three units of English to graduate. Classes that must be passed to receive the three units are English 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Students cannot substitute these classes with a different class. According to Nelson Eddings, department chairman in English, the 4-week speech course started last year in English 3 and 4 was very successful. The students cooperated, and it turned out to be quite successful, noted Mr. Eddings. We plan to continue on with the program. Among the courses offered at PCHS to complete require- 2£ English ments are English 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6, which are an extension of basic English. English 5 and 8 are based mostly on writing themes, such as the term paper in English 8. English 7, American Literature, and American Fiction are courses mainly based on reading literature. Other courses offered in the English curriculum are developmental reading for those wishing to improve their reading skills; etymology, a course in the study of words; mythology, study of Greek and Roman beliefs; and journalism and publications which teach journalism techniques. Besides helping students with their reading and writing, English provides a way for students to develop their own opinions and to comprehend the meanings of various forms of literature. From experience, ranting and raving about writing themes gets you nowhere. However, English provides you with a very important lifelong skill — communication! M»s6 Miry Beth Roffman outlines the structure of her American Fiction class to a parent at the East Campus Open House visitation. Shaving requires concentration. Rob Svendsen holds very still as Samantha Danshy demonstrates how to shave during a speech unit in Mrs. Pat Pharo's Sophomore English class.

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Homework Is A Necessary Evil The final bell takes its toll and there begins the chaotic scene of pushing, books sliding across floors, and cheers from all directions. Students make a dash for their lockers with a mad grab for their coats and books. Leaving with them is the subject bringing that ugh! response — HOMEWORK! Homework made its debut in most students' lives between first and third grades, according to a survey of PCHS students. Senior Julie Henderson answered freshman year! Most students noticed a change in the amount of homework when they entered high school. Homework can be a daily drudgery to trail home. When, where, and how it gets done is an individual feat. The case of the forgotten homework leads students to search for excuses to rescue them. Junior Chuck Smith Looking over the night's assignments before class ends is Sophomore Jodi Kim. cleverly adds, My dad used it to start the fire in our fireplace. Another student said, Something good was on T.V. Whether it was left at home, stolen, or their brother made a paper airplane out of it, students usually have an alibi. The contest of homework versus classwork ended with the majority favoring in-class work. Some homework is necessary (like algebra), but other homework you could do just as easily in class, replied one freshman. Many students said homework helped their grade, but it took up too much of their time. With more subjects required each year and added emphasis on home studies, students may be left without that break for a studyhall. Sparing those hours behind the Atari for the complicated problems of Trigonometry . . . a loss of entertainment, but the profit of a valuable education. The mad rush is over, the assignments are done, and Senior Mike Ercegovich uses open studyhall to catch up on sleep lost the night before. Homework 27

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Mr. Cordon Petry gives Senior Kim Kells some constructive criticism on her short story in Creative Writing class. Sophomores Susan Eye, Monica Wood and Chris Gourlcy discuss which book they'll chose to purchase at the West Campus Book Fair. Organizing sources, taking notes and finalizing ideas are just a few of the elements which Judy Ertmoed put into practical use in writing her English 8 theme. English 2