Breck School - Mustang Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

Page 18 text:

Mr Ervin S. Stockwell B A. M.A. English and Bugle advisor ENGLISH The new philosophy in the English program at Breck School recognizes not only the ever present need for practice in writing, speech, reading comprehension, spelling, and vocabulary, but also takes into account the need for a coherent grasp of the traditions of English and American literature. With this in mind, a program for the six forms of the upper school has been evolved, subject of course, to change and improvement as experience directs. At present, in Forms land II, in addition to the usual fundamentals, students are being introduced to the novel, drama, satire, Greek and Roman mythology; in Form III students arc exposed to the short story, precis, biography, traditional and modem poetry, the essay, and novel. Form IV deals with a survey of American literature, beginning with Colonial times and extending to the contemporary period. Emphasis on outside reading, precis writing, and grammar, of course, is con- tinued. A survey of English literature is the predominant concern of Form V, though the short story and creative writing arc stressed during this year as well. Form VI is devoted to a study of individual classics representative of their respective eras. These are drawn from both European and American literature. It is hoped that such a study will prove of greater value after the student's exposure to the more elementary survey courses. VVriting related to the readings is stressed during this year as well. All students arc required to read one book per month outside of class during the school year in addition to the summer reading. Generally this reading is designed to fit in with the subject material under consideration in the respective classes. The English department also has a file of recordings and has access to the University of Minnesota films library whenever the need of audiovisual aids is felt. 14

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Mr. Ilslcy confers with juniors over college selection. COLLEGE REPRESENT A LIVES Brcck is fortunate to be visited by representatives of many of the nation’s better colleges at various times throughout the school year. All interested juniors and seniors are to have interviews with these representatives. The students arc thus able to obtain information concerning the colleges that they would not otherwise learn without the they would not otherwise learn without the bene- fit of a campus visit. Such visits are, of course, often impossible. These interviews arc supplemented by conferences with Mr. Ilslcy and the student’s faculty advisor. In this way, each boy has an opportunity to discover for himself which institution of learning offers the course of study best suited to his long-range goals and ambitions. 13 Mr. Smith of Harvard talks with a prospective applicant.

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Faces eager for knowledge. 15