Casey High School - Flame Yearbook (Casey, IL)

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LATIN Latin has always had a place in the curriculum of the Casey Township High School. For some time only two years of Latin was offered. But in 1923 a third year of the subject was added and in 1924 there was demand for a fourth year. The first year is devoted to the study of declensions and conjugations, translating of easy Latin and writing sentences in Latin and English. Attention is given to the study of English derivatives. In accordance with the findings of the Classical Investigation, the study of Caesar is postponed until the second semester of the second year. Latin stories of Roman History are read during the first semester. Some work in classical mythology is also done. Prose composition occupies three weeks of each semester. In the third year six of Cicero’s orations and some of his letters are read. A thorough course in Grammar Review and prose composition is given in the first semester. The first six books of Virgil’s Aeneid are read in the fourth year. Attention is given to mythology, Entomology, and Scansion. The Aeneid is studied as a masterpiece of literature. Selections from Ovid’s Metamorphoses conclude this year’s work. HISTORY The History Course is very extensive, and one wishing to devote much time to this subject will find a wide selection from which to choose. A full year is given to Ancient History in the second year, a year to Medieval and Modern history in the third, and a year to American history in the fourth. A half year of Civics and a half year of Economics are also offered in the fourth year. The American History department this year in addition to their daily work, put on two historical exhibits that were very interesting and educational. Antiques were salvaged from cellar and garret and made it easier for many to associate the remote with the present. Term papers of fifteen and twenty-five hundred words were typewritten and required for term credits. This was to give the student a wider knowledge of the use of references. MATHEMATICS Three years of work are offered in the mathematics department. One year of Algebra and one year of Plane Geometry are requii’ed for graduation, but the third year is optional. This last year, consisting of a semester, each of Advanced Algebra and Solid Geometry, is necessary for those who expect to study advanced mathematics or any kind of engineering. There is also one semester of Commercial Arithmetic offered but this belongs more properly with the other commercial subjects. In first year Algebra, the aim is to develop skill in using letters in the four fundamental operations and in solving simple equations in one or two unknowns. In geometry, the student is taught to work with figures of two and three-dimensional spaces, according to whether it is plane or solid geometry. The aim, throughout, is to develop original thinking, so that emphasis is placed on proofs of original exercises rather than memorizing proofs of theorems. Twenty

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ACADEMIC SUBJECTS ENGLISH The object of the English course is two fold—one part devoted to the practice in written and oral English, and the other to the study of literary masterpieces. More emphasis is placed on study of the history of Literature in the third and fourth years. For outside reading sixteen credits of work must be done each year—choice must be made from an approved list of standard authors. PUBLIC SPEECH The ultimate object of training for better speech should be to give the pupil a knowledge of how to improve himself and a will to put this knowledge into practice; in other words, to make the pupil an intelligent self critic. The principal studies are: 1. Articulation and pronunciation; 2. Usage; 3. Thinking; 4. Conversation; 5. Public Speaking; 6. Reading; 7. Acting; 8. Contests. Each member of the Public Speaking class gave a reading selected from either the Oratorical, Dramatic or Humorous group before the student body during the year. As we go to press, plans are being made to enter the County contests in the spring. JOURNALISM (One-half year) One-half year of journalism is offered which gives an introduction to the field of newspaper work, a study of methods of gathering news, editorials, reporting speeches and editing copy. The laboratory work for this course is the school paper—The Broadcaster. BUSINESS ENGLISH (One-half year) Business English begins with a discussion of fundamentals of English grammar and the application of these principles to business literature. Applied Business Correspondence is treated from the constructive point of view entirely. Its purpose is to develop effective Business English expression. FRENCH Popular demand for work in modern language has increased enormously in the last few years. In Casey High School the French department satisfies this demard. To meet the requirements of most colleges and universities, two years of French are offered. For several years the enrollment in these courses has been exceptionally large. The first year course consists of little save grammar work, the study of verbs being stressed. A certain amount of outside reading is done— “Pas a Pas” is used along with the grammar. In second year French, the rules of grammar are studied more in detail and the exceptions are noted. More ambitious reading is attempted, “Le Voyage De Monsieur Perrichon” and “Sans Famille” are both studied. Besides giving drill in reading French, these books are excellent in portraying different phases of French life. Nineteen

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MUSIC Casey has a right to be proud of her Music Department, which was organized in 1922 by our efficient music instructor, Miss Vivian Holmes. Although this is a comparatively new department, it is constantly being developed and being raised to a higher standard each year. Two years of classwork are offered, consisting of Sight-Singing, Music Appreciation, Harmony and Musical History. The separate units of this department consist of an Orchestra, Boy’s Glee Club, Girl’s Glee Club and Band. The Orchestra, consisting of twenty-three pieces, is larger this year than ever before. Under the capable dh ection of Miss Holmes it has done splendid work proving itself willing and ready at any time to present an interesting program. The Boy’s Glee Club organized in 1923, now has an enrollment of twenty-one who show an unusual amount of interest in the work. If the boys retain the fine spirit and zeal that Miss Holmes has instilled within them, there is no reason why the boys will not rank at the top of the ladder, when the contest judges render their official count. The work of the Girl’s Glee Club, with an enrollment of fifty-one voices, has been very successful. In the County Musical contest at Martinsville the Girl’s Glee Club placed second and Blanche Phillips took first place in the solo work. Much credit for the splendid work is due Miss Holmes. The Band had an enrollment of about forty-five and did a great deal to pep up the athletic contests during the year. They played at all the football and basketball games besides taking part in several concerts and pep meetings. The boys rehearsed faithfully twice a week and a marked improvement in execution and tone quality was the result. A minstrel show given by the Band in the Spring was a great success. They raised the money to pay for the new “Sousaphone” by this entertainment. Mr. Fletcher deserves much praise for his faithful work with the Band. Twenty-one