William Chrisman High School - Gleam Yearbook (Independence, MO)

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The Gleam Page 25 FOREIGN LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT The Foreign Language Department is one of the most in- teresting departments in William Chrisman High School. Members of the Sophomore, Iunior, and Senior classes enjoy immensely their lessons and outside work in French, Latin, and Spanish. - Miss Mary Alice Gibbons very capably instructs her one class of French, which is composed of second year students. The type of work that Miss Gibbons has had her French class do this year was very interesting to all concerned. The beginning of the year was spent in reviewing first year work. After that the regular lessons in the textbook was resumed. For work outside of class, different French books were read Miss singleton by each member and reported on. The pupils subscribed for a French paper, Le Petit journal, which is published bi-weekly. The French class gave a very interesting assembly on December 16. The program, consisting of tap-dancing, mu- sical numbers, and a one-act play, Cindri1lon, was given in French. The Latin classes, under the direction of Miss Ellen Singleton, comprises about 150 pupils. The first semester the second year classes studied the story of Argonauts. Thev also reviewed their former work in syntax. The second semester Cazsar's Gallic Wars were studied. For their work the first semes- ter the advanced class studied Livy, a historian, Pliny's letters, two orations against Catiline, the oration for Archias, and the oration on Pompey's military command. The second year class read the Standard Bearerf' by Whitehead, the advanced class read 'KSlave of Catiline by Anderson, which are novels based on C:esar's Gallic Wars, and Cicero's orations against Catiline respectively. Mr. Dale Pigg is the instructor of the Spanish Department. He has one class of thirty- five first year pupils and four classes of second year students, which makes approximately 130 studying Spanish. The first year class studied Fundamentals of Grammar and a direct method reading book the last six weeks. The second year pupils began the year with reviewing the ma- terial learned the previous year. One book, Spanish Reader, by De Vitas, was read in class. Mr. Pigg placed in the li- brary some Spanish readers and story books for the pupils to read and report on. Another interesting phase of study, successfully carried out, was project work. The students took one sub- ject, either Spanish or related to Spanish, and collected all of the material, clippings, and pictures possible that per- tained to that certain subject. Some of the subjects chosen were Gypsies, Spanish Missions in California, Spanish cus- toms, Spanish Cathedrals and Buildings, Spanish authors and painters, Moors in Spain, and various Spanish countries M,-, pigg of South America. 1933

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Page 24 The Gledml MATHEMATICS Mathematics is one of the most used subjects in the uni- verse. There are many different branches in the course and it is of unlimitable value to every person. The birth of Mathematics goes back through the centuries to the Egyptians. From there it has been added to and im- proved until now one can major in one branch and have a life's vocation in this branch. William Chrisman offers to its mathematically inclined students a very extensive course. Although only one unit is required for graduation, many of the students have at least two units and some graduate with the entire four years course. The Mathematics Department consists of the fol- lowing subjects: Algebra Ill and lVg plane geometry: solid geometry, advanced arithmelieg trigonometry. MIM J' Chun. Mathematics teaches the pupil to get the base ot any prob- lem before attempting to solve it. It also teaches the pupil how to concentrate. One can not cram and expect to pass a math test, because any form of mathematical problems contains theorems and rules learned in preceding years as well as in current lessons. The math students have to have their daily lessons regularly or their careers will be failures. The different courses in Mathematics are under the supervision of Miss Bernsten, Miss Chiles, and Miss Benefield. Miss Chiles has five classes in Mathematics and is a very effective teacher as well as a popular one among the students. She has as her subjects: Algebra Ill and IV, solid ge- ometry, arithmetic, and trignometry. Miss Benefield teaches six classes, all of which are in plane geometry. Her classes are mostly made up of Sophomores with a smaller number of Iuniors and Seniors. This sub- ject serves as a base for both solid geometry and trignometry. Miss Bernsten has classes in al febra and solid eometrv. is g . Miss Bernsten also teaches all the rirls' mnasium classes. is EY As in previous years the Chrisman-Sawyer Bank offered a prize of twenty-Five dollars to the pupil who makes the best grade in a competitive test, including arithmetic, plane and solid geometry, and algebra. The student winning the prize must average at least eighty per cent on the test: there must also be at least ten contestants entered. This year the contest was given on the twenty-sixth, twenty-seventh, and twenty- eighth of April. Richard Riddle had the highest average of the contestants with Arlton Westwood running a close sec- ond. Miss Benelleld 1933

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Page 26 The Gleam FINE ARTS Of practical, as well as cultural value, are the classes of Fine and Applied Art offered by William Chrisman, under the instruction of Miss Nell E. Sampson. Two years of work are given, each affording one unit of credit. This is made possible by each class being a double period in length. These art courses are open to all students, however, the advanced class is composed usually of Seniors and juniors. This year the enrollment in the Art Department increased r one half over that of previous years. Ml!! Sampson The purpose of Art Education in Chrisman is to promote art appreciation, raise taste standards, develop skills, and give students a knowledge of art principles which they may express in their personal appearance, in their homes, their communities, and in their every- day activities. To a few the High School art course forms a background for later artistic pursuits. Business Firms have found that beauty pays, and new fields are open to the stu- dent who intends to make art his profession. This year the classes have studied sketching with pencil, charcoal, water color, pen and ink, design, lettering, color, bookbinding and block-printing. MUSIC Music, an elective subject in the Fine Arts Department, plays an influential part in the lives of everyone. The Music Department of 1932-33, with Miss Iessie Smith as supervisor, has upheld the high standard set by the students of preceding years. The Glee Club and Orchestra have taken part in outside activities and assemblies, and given some remarkable programs. The Music Department, with its various sections, is expected to bring back honors for Chrisman this year, from Columbia, where they will com- pete in the different solo contests. Classes in harmony, chorus, and orchestra are ocered. Harmony gives one credit, chorus and orchestra, one half credit. The work in glee clubs and quartets is an extra curricular actiivty and is done outside of the regular daily school sched- ule. Our aim is that every student may have an appreciation of the best in music and those especially talented be encouraged ms, smith to carry on advanced study. 1933