Morton High School - Top Hat Yearbook (Hammond, IN)

Page 14 text:

Page 10 English , Speech, Foreign Language Classes Mortonites Study Own Language A RECORDING of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar” holds the attention of Miss Virginia Davis’ sophomore English class. Students studied grammar as well as various types of literature in this class. A PANEL consisting of Jack Ward, Jack Mandernack, Don Ritchey, Judy Klen, Vivian Buldak, and Cecelia Clark is learning good speech habits in Frank Palko’s Speech V class. STUDENTS IN Mrs. Norma Kelly’s Composi- tion VIII class are using the Atlantic Monthly, for which each one subscribed, as a source of information for their weekly themes. Comp prepared seniors for the rigors of college work.

Page 13 text:

Morton students learn by studying, hearing, observing, and doing . . . Page 9

Page 15 text:

Page 11 but Aren ' t Limited to English Students at Morton last year had opportunities to learn to read, write, and speak their own language more effectively through the MHS English Department, headed by Miss Mabel Hunter, and the Speech De- partment, of which Winston Becker is the head. They might also have studied another language through the Foreign Language Department, of which Walter Ruff is the chairman. Freshman and sophomore English classes con- centrated on underclassmen’s learning good grammar and becoming familiar with various types of literature. Basic theme -and letter writing skills were taught students during their first two years in high school, during which they also were exposed to such literary works as myths, David Copperfield, Silas Marner, Julius Caesar,” and short stories. Juniors had opportunities to improve their writing in either English V or Composition V; the former was less difficult than the latter. In American literature, juniors developed a better understanding of American culture from colonial times to the present. Seniors could take a survey course in English literature, studying the great authors of England, their writings, and their influence today. They were also offered an advanced composition course, in which they could learn style and sentence improvement. Journalism students made up a large part of the staff of the Mortonite, MHS newspaper. SPANISH IV students are enjoying themselves while learning the cha-cha from Miss Della Narcisi, their teacher. In speech classes students learned to overcome self-consciousness in public speaking situations, including the following: making introductions, after-dinner speeches, and announcements; telling stories; carrying on discussions; debating, and radio speaking. They also learned the methods of organizing speech material and the fundamentals of parliamentary procedure. Four semesters of Spanish and four of Latin were offered Morton students. They could learn the basic vocabulary and grammar of a foreign language, and therefore learn to read and write that language. Ad- vanced Spanish students read an entire Spanish novel, and Latin IV students studied writings of Livy and Julius Caesar. NOW THERE will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth!” This cry of doom is heard by students in Walter Ruff’s freshman Latin class as the next victim is selected to recite.