Grants Pass High School - Toka Yearbook (Grants Pass, OR)

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With varied resource material available seniors Tom Todd and Jim Campbell undertake the large order of writing their English paper.

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New Engli Norman Anderson James H. Cornett JoAnne Gross sh Curriculum Blows Students’ Minds” Bonnie Bunch Francis J. Finneran David R. Haag Innovating a system by which juniors and seniors had a choice of varied fields including Creative Writing. English Literature. Drama. 20th Century Literature, and Tragedy, the English department provided a challenge to the creativity of each student. This system was used on a trial basis last year, and all were excited to see it adopted permanently this year. James Cornett, the new English department head, and his able staff not only challenged the student, but also demanded more than mere class attendance. The student was not expected to accept each explanation blindly, but to offer his own opinion and question others. New this year was a special class in debate. This course offered interested students an opportunity to endure the fire of competitive speaking. Throughout the year, the new English Resource Center provided a chance for students to expand their knowledge. This center contained collections of short stories. American and English literature books, theatrical works and books on grammar. Various reference material such as dictionaries, encyclopedias. and atlases were included. This was the first year for the operation of the English Resource Center and it has proven to be a very worthwhile and essential part of the school’s overall library system. Senior Scott Bridges views a quartet of students seeking knowledge in the new English Resource Center. Vicki Heath 26

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Language Students Close Communications Gap Gesticulating with a master hand, instructor Georges LeRoux assumes a pose familiar to his students. Edna Britten L°'s DeCourcey RayM. Gade John W. Jeddeloh Four languages were taught at GPHS during 1968-69. 575 students were enrolled in classes taking first through fourth year languages. Latin students under the instruction of Mrs. DeCourcey covered various phases of Roman cultures. Classroom critiques ranged from grammar and vocabulary to the history of Rome and orations of Cicero. 203 German students studied under Mrs. Britten and Mr. Gade. Pronunciation and the ability to recognize basic grammar were the main problems tackled by first year students. During the third and fourth year, stories and conversations dwelt on German history. Mrs. Nix and Mr. LeRoux headed the French classes with Mrs. Nix teaching first and second year French while Mr. LeRoux instructed second, third and fourth year students. The students were introduced to French culture and civilization through reading various plays, novels and stories. Using the ideas of instruction, audio-visual-lingual, Spanish students found themselves working with tapes, charts and speech drills under the guidance of Mrs. Van Walk and Mr. Jeddeloh. In higher levels of the language students enjoyed stories, plays, poetry, history, music and conversed in Spanish with fellow classmates as well as with the teacher.