Sherman High School - Athenian Yearbook (Sherman, TX)

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English Skills Challenged The English Department of Sherman High School is different this year from any other year. The reason for the change is Keys to English Mastery workbook, which was adopted by the Sherman School Board and English Department to improve skills in grammar, writing communication, and proficiency in the language use of high school students. The workbooks go into detailed studies concerning writing, practice for composition, exercises for library skills, and basic grammar skills. The Board of Education felt that each student could use the books to better their education. However, this is not the first year to use a book of this type. The books were used as a pilot program for the freshmen last year and proved successful. Students enrolled in grades 4-12 are required to use one level of the English grammar workbooks. The total amount spent on the workbooks at S.H.S. was $4,000, a little over $2 a book. The new books are hard enough to give us a challenge, and I feel that this is exactly what we need, commented a few S.H.S. students. Other students opinions are: Scott Emory, junior, I don’t mind working in these workbooks because if we weren't doing the books, we would be doing something else. They review things that I have forgotten. Kim Tally, sophomore, It's not the most exciting part of my day. It has keys to explain itself, some of it's hard; some of it’s easy. Karen Bishop, freshman, I feel the new workbooks are good. I like it a lot better than working in books. The good points are the keys in the middle of the book! They help a lot. Denise Haliburton, senior, “I really like them because they teach me things about grammar I don’t know, and that will help me in college. Mrs. Nancy Jones is explaining an exercise in Keys to English Mastery to Christy Faulkner. Jannie Gibson takes notes before starting to work in Sherrie Douglas. Randy Price, Randall Babb, Christi Lusk, Levida Owens and Mrs. her new workbook. Margie Wilson discuss a story they |ust read. 12

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Foreign Languages Gain Popularity Students in first period Latin class were asked why they took Latin. Their reactions follow: Cindy Boatright, Junior, I want to be a physical therapist, so I had to know Latin.” Caren Johnson, Junior, “Because I wanted to learn a foreign language and learn more about English. Keith Caston, Sophomore, “Because I want to be a veterinarian and I thought Latin might help. This year there are approximately 147 students enrolled in the largest foreign language class, Spanish. Since last year, Spanish classes have increased from four to six classes: Three Spanish I, Two Spanish II, and One Spanish III. Having more students meant having a new teacher as well, with Miss Patsy Wilson joining Miss Barbara Jarvis in the Spanish department as a new SHS teacher. Learning to speak Spanish in conversational situations is the main goal in Spanish. Correct pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, oral and written practice, emphasized writing, acting out dialogs in Spanish and singing in Spanish are fun ways of learning the language. Students learn about the customs, history, economy, geography, and other cultural aspects of Spanish speaking countries. Miss Barbara Jarvis returns papers to 5th period. Pam Cope, Robin Maine, and Bridget Vrla transcribe from French tapes. The study of Latin at Sherman High School has been broadened to include the many facts of the classical civilization of Greece and Rome. Students are introduced not only, to the study of a language which has had a great impact on our own language but also to the daily lives, literature, history, and religion of the people who spoke Latin. Students gain a deeper appreciation of classical cultures by reading outside of class. Non-fiction books which deal with the areas mentioned above. They also are responsible for non-writ-ten products such as oral presentations, models, paintings, posters, or any freestanding media. J l Mark Rexrode. Laurie Russell, Brad Schwoerer. Jack Scanlon and Michelle Minor taking drills in class. 13