Watauga High School - Musket Yearbook (Boone, NC)

Page 24 text:

English Emphasizes Written and Oral Communication Miss Elizabeth Elliot, Miss Brenda Gillespie, Miss Joyce Sorrells, Mrs. Anne Shope, Mrs. Betty Wells, Mrs. Joyce White, Mrs. Judy Hayes, and Mrs. Nancy Nance comprised the ninth and tenth grade English teachers who assisted students in the difficult underclass years. Mrs. Nance explains to one of her befuddled English classes the Freshman and sophomore English students studied ie proper procedure for writing those dreaded term papers. Great Expectations, Julius Caesar, poetry, and novels. A heavy emphasis was placed on the fundamentals of grammar and original writing. Individual oral reports helped students to overcome their initial shyness and learn good techniques of oral composition. The stu- dents also studied Greek and Roman mythology, short stories, and essays. Library skills were mastered during the first two years of high school. Extensive research in the library put the skills learned to use. Joe Miller explains to one of Mrs. Agle’s English classes the process involved in stuffing and mounting an animal. 20

Page 23 text:

Mrs. Lera B. Randall and Mrs. Pauline Angell, the librarians of the school, operate the library which is one of the centers of high school study life. Library Provides Quiet Place For Studying Brenda Younce and Andrea Harmon, library assistants, check over records kept at the desk in addition to helping students find materials. ela NAc Because of the wide selection of books, magazines, and reference materials the library of WHS was invaluable to the students. The quiet, studious atmos- phere made it a place where students could study without the noise often found in a study hall. Librarians as well as library assistants were on hand to help students locate the materials that they needed. Filmstrips, records, pamphlets, and other special ma- terials were used by teachers to present ideas more effectively. Students using the facilities of the library find it a place not only for study, but also for relaxation. 19

Page 25 text:

As Carol McNeely signs the cast of Mrs. Mary Elvey, one of the senior English teachers, others wait their turn. Reading skills attained during the freshman and sophomore years lead to greater understanding of the literary works studied by the juniors and seniors. The term papers required by all junior and senior English teachers represented many hard hours of researching, compiling, worrying, and writing, with the end result of a perfect paper. Along with term papers came book reports, oral reports, class discussions, commit- tee work and creative writing. Mrs. Mattie Lou Wilson, Miss Delila Lesley, Mrs. Margaret Agle, Mr. Tommy Poplin, and Miss Kate Peterson, head of the department, undertake the difficult task of teaching juniors and seniors English Mrs. Georgia Yates and Mr. Eugene Byrd comprise Watauga High School’s reading program to achieve proficiency in reading. PH!