Northern High School - Spirit Yearbook (Port Huron, MI)

Page 30 text:

Ruth Meyer Department Head Irvin Hayward Kathleen Tate Developing English skills requires Janette Bretmati Nancy Jo Frick David Glenn Pamela Gray Homer Sims Literature and grammar books for the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades provide students with the fundamentals and details of accurate, effective writing. Various types of novels are also used as a source for studying writing styles of authors. 26

Page 29 text:

setting for Problems of Democracy course Miss Mildred Rush pauses to help a student in her World Prob- lems course. The subject of study is the government of many different countries in the world. This year, the American Government, Sociology, and Economics courses were combined to form a new course, Problems of Democracy, which is required of all Seniors. The plans for this new idea in teaching call for sched- uling students into large classes under the direction of three teachers and is conducted on a team-teaching basis. Each teacher is in charge of instruction a week or two. Tests are given at the end of each of these periods and the final grade for a student is the average of the three grades. The three teachers, Miss Doris Warren, Mr. Cyril Smith, and Mr. James Duncan, who are all masters in their own field of teaching, combine to give the students a fundamental understanding of the vital subjects. A local insurance man, Mr. Herbert Frazier, explains life insurance to a group of Problems of Democracy students. In a program such as this, there is time provided for speakers to come in and talk to larger than average classes. It benefits the students in many ways. 25

Page 31 text:

concentration and self-expression The Speech Program at Port Huron Northern pro- vides many facilities for the development of the indi- vidual’s needs. The speech room, one of the largest classrooms in the building, is equipped with a tape recorder, podium, and microphone. With these advantages, the student may further explore the art of public speaking, polishing his techniques, and gain- ing assurance and poise. The Speech Class, an important part of the English Department, offers the student an opportunity to excel in the field of self-expression. As each student acquires the speaking skills, he soon masters the art of constructive criticism. This, in turn, provides an ideal practice situation, whereby each can improve and overcome any barriers to successful public speaking. As Bennetta Pierce presents her speech to Miss Pamela Gray’s class, Michael Wilson dreams up his speech. Juniors wait eagerly to see the film, The Devil at Four O’Clock, shown in Mr. Robert Phillip ' s American Literature class. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s writings capture the interest of Seniors, Patti Aik- man, Lawrence Nestle, MaryLee McIntyre, and Jane Russell, in Mr. Law- rence Miller’s American Literature class. 27