West Allis High School - Wamago Yearbook (West Allis, WI)

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PAUL BAST HELEN JOHNSON CORNELIA GEBHART Social Studies Department IN this departnu-nt we are trying to make the students understand what the march of time and progress of events has made possible on this earth of ours and get them acquainted with the past. The keen human being learns from the mistakes of others. The one to whom knowledge means very little very often makes the same mis- takes over and over again, so why not learn from the past, through history, and avoid making man ' mistakes ? The course which extends through the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades introduces pupils to the chief conditions and problems which will con- front them as American citizens. Then ancient and medieval history is taught in the tenth grade. In this course one studies about Egypt, the Tigris-P ' uphrates valle , Pal- estine, Greece, and Rome, and about the life, gov- ernment, and knowledge of the people of these countries. It also includes a study of the Church, B. II. BIRROWS iIARGARETH. MEYNE Anol.FI! K. ZD. 22

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VIRGINIA WHEELER JUIIX E. NVE -MRS. IDA DOERFER Literature is taken up in the junior high school and the first semester of the senior high school, while the first two years of the senior high school are al;o devoted to special activities relating to general language and literature. During lOA the emphasis is placed on an ap- preciation of newspaper and magazine work. The latter half of lOA is devoted to biography and essay. In 11 B the special fields are poetry, the novel, and the short story. 11 A is the period of drill on systematic and scientific research into problems that present themselves, debate and formal discussion. This is a period devoted to how to study. The twelfth ear is the climax of the course. The general theme is the literature of England and America paralleled by the political, social. and cultural histories of the English sp: aking race. There is a public speaking program calling for training and activity in the subject one da each week during the senior high school. junior High students recei e librar - instruc- tion one week in each semester. 1 he English department is one of the most efficient departments for its field of study is a aried one and interesting. Since English is a college requirement, and also a high school requirement, all pupils are actively engaged in the work. A most interesting part of the English work is the public speaking period once a week, con- ducted by Mr. John E. Nye. This training is one of exceptional worthiness, for it gives to the inipil a lesson on self ex pression. This training leads also to a dramatic part of forensic work. Journalism is also a well liked field, for it brings the pupils in close connection with the newspaper and e er day happenings. From this work pupils learn how papers are edited and how news is gathered, and the working of a news- paper ofiice and print shop. Trips are also taken to large ne spaper firms. 21

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CHARLES NELSON GRACE HUGGINS J. E. GLASSPOOLE feudalism, the Crusades, and the beginnings of European nations. In the eleventh grade one studies the Rise of Democracy in Europe which gives us a better background for understanding the history of our own country. In the twelfth grade one studies the history which is the basis of our American institutions, such as the evolution of self-government, the growth of industrial and commercial power, and the development of American culture. One is also able to take Social Problems which helps a student in many ways. A student who takes this course will be able to work more in- telligently and sympathetically if he has an un- derstanding of the political, social, and economic institutions. History is the tale, which shows us both past and present, and acquaints us with the progress of man and nations. History paints pictures of the past, showing the turmoil and destruction of wars, peace time progress, and shows how by mistakes men and countries liave fallen. We learn of the great past to help plan the future so as to live more happily. History and its accounts aid us in looking back on the progress which our forefathers laid down for us to build from. History shows the mechanical, commercial, and governmental achievements, and to know your history is to know vour countrv. 23