Meadowbrook High School - Sceptre Yearbook (Richmond, VA)

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CEG PLL ig | gov eC yunt ig changes were occur- ing in the way teachers teach. Most had started to partially or completely use a variety of teaching methods, rather than strict bookwork and homework. Although most had not abandoned textbooks, more and more were using discussion periods with question and an- swer learning. ‘| lecture sparsely, preferring large and small group discus- sions with question and answer teaching’’, said English teacher Mrs. Fran Boswell. This feeling was shared by a lot of teachers, but many other approaches to Making it Perfect. Mr. Milo Beckner and some of his students: Steve Hess, David Austin and Kelly Edelman work on the cars they have made in shop class. teaching were used. There was wide spread use of audio-visual aids in all classes. Overhead projectors were used in geometry and pre-calculus classes. Mrs. Karen Schaefer said that she used such objects as: oranges, rolls of paper tow- els and tape measures in some of her lectures. Audio-visual aids were used in many other classes to make ordindary classroom activities more inter- esting. In foreign language classes emphasis on culture was evi- dent. Foreign food days and fes- tivals were common, providing Food for Thought. In homeconomics class, Stephanie Moore puts the finish- ing touches on her chocolate cake. The ordinary classroom was an arena of inquiry filled with guest SDGdk ens ms DLO = jects, demonstra- tions, etc. an easy and delicious way of learning about foreign cultures. Social studies, also learned about other cultures in much the same way. Culture days, however, can- not compete with person to per- son discussion, provided by guest speakers. Mrs. Barbara Winston's history classes heard from Mrs. Thurston on the U.S.S.R.; Mrs. Susan Wong on No Typoes. Coretta Oliver loads her typewriter to start an assignment in business class. Slider. Daily practice in band does not bother trombone player, Mike Jones. Classroom Activities 9

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Es Mi Tiempo. Shirley Winters and Al- len Misegades have their t-shirts exam- ined by Mrs. Shelton, Mrs. Sumner and A Picasso? Art 2 student, Pam Sink Mrs. Davidson during Foreign Lan- examines her classmates’ art works. guage week. Election Time. Rodney Fleisher pre- Cracking Up. As part of Mr. Cundiff’s pares the showcase on voting before the social studies class, study on world cul- 1984 presidential election for Ms. Peters tures Tana Harrison begins to break history class. open a coconut. 8 Classroom Activities

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ty Step 2. In Mrs. Joyce Ga class, Melissa Haydock and Michele Elms complete an experiment. Once Upon a Time? Mrs. Katie Rosen- baum reads a Christmas story to to a group of students in the library before break. 10 Classroom Activities biology EO. GEV ELOTILL cones China; three students from Zambia, Ghana and South Afri- ca; Mrs. Kennedy, a missionary from Swaziland among others. Students received wide spread exposure in many areas with the help of guest speakers. No one did more project and hands-on work than those stu- dents in the home economics and business classes. Business classes did hands-on job pro- grams, along with occupational and job analysis reports. Some classes were conducted as busi- ness meetings to enhance the self awareness activities and budgeting programs. Quest speakers were abundant in the home economics classes, which heard speakers on child abuse, single parent life, inde- pendant living and even toy safety. Activities included pie and cake parties, teas, field trips on the selection of china and crystal, and their most pop- ular activities, fashion shows and the mock wedding. These were all used to help students see more tangible uses for their education. Teaching moved away from strict textbook learning, and switched to personal and group discussions. As, choral teacher, Mr. Earl Binns said, ‘‘Student participation is important, and teacher interaction must take place with the group and indi- viduals.’ All of this helped to make classroom activities a lit- tle more exciting and enjoyable for all.