Wyomissing Area High School - Colophon Yearbook (Wyomissing, PA)

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I-I0 E ECO OMICS The scope of Home Economics is broad enough to include a variety of different and fascinating fields. This course, therefore, develops imagination and originality. The purpose of home een is to help girls and boys to contribute to better home and family living. Mrs. Ruth Wagner teaches seventh graders about nutrition, foods, grooming, and clothing. From this mixture of subjects, students derive benefits which become very handy a little later on in life. Eighth graders study child care, knitting, costume design, and advanced clothing. They become accom- plished knitters, and some even fashion beautiful sweaters for themselves. In Ninth grade Home Ec ninth grade, a very interesting arrangement has been effected whereby the boys have a course in Home Econom- ics while the girls are taking Home Mechanics with Mr. Shirk. Girls also deal with such subjects as advanced foods, social relations, interior decoration, and home nursing. The senior high Home Economics course becomes elective and in it pupil and teacher work out a planned course according to their schedules and interests. DRI ER TRAINING Instruction in the rules of the road is given by Mr. D. C. Shirk, who has changed the method by which pupils learn Driver Training. He has intro- duced a committee system whereby three students take over each class period, and prepare the les- son. A different committee serves for each period. Tenth grade Driver Training Thus, students learn by explaining as well as by listening. At the end of the class, Mr. Shirk spends approximately five minutes summing up the material covered by the students. The course is made more interesting by the use of speakers, films, and dem- onstrations. Special apparatus is used to test a driv- er's reaction time and eyesight. With so many more families owning automobiles, it becomes increas- ingly more important that drivers observe carefully the rules established by law to make the roads and highways safer. Driver Training courses have pro- vided a way to teach good driving habits to teen-agers before they begin to drive. The course is of- fered for the tenth grade, since the pupils of this age group are just about old enough to obtain licenses. The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code becomes one of their most important textbooks. Of course, this is only the classwork end of learning to drive. The actual instruction in driving and road training are given by the lVest Lawn Motor Compnayg however, the groundwork is laid first as a preparation for making good, intelligent drivers from teenagers. 25

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The study of Hygiene is PHYSICAL EDUCATION Eighth grade gym Miss Ganter Education is necessary, but along with it goes the training of the body which must be taught to obey the commands of the mind. Miss Doris Ganter teaches junior high girls a variety of group and individual sports. Emphasis is placed on the fundamental skills and strategy. This affords added challenge and enjoyment. Senior high girls develop leadership by helping to teach junior high classes. Girls participate in such sports as Held hockey, volleyball, basketball, softball, organized team games, tumbling. apparatus, rhythm, ten- nis, archery, track and badminton. Boys at all levels of high school profit by the instruction in physical education given by Mr. Bernard Allison. His program assists normal physical growth and development of the student, and provides the opportunity to develop a variety of motor skills. In addition to many outdoor and indoor games, the boys enjoy apparatus work, archery, tumbling, and wrestling. Every boy in encouraged to participate in intramural sports. Thus, both boys and girls learn many recreational activities which help to co- ordinate and develop their bodies. HYGIENE directed by Miss Doris Ganter and Mr. Bernard Allison. Of- fered in the seventh, eighth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades it is designed to make students aware of the importance of cleanliness, etiquette, and good health habits. Seventh grade girls study how to improve personal appearance through good grooming. In addition, they learn about the opera- tion of the senses. Miss Ganter combines the study of the physical and emotional changes of adolescence with discussions of social problems and those relevant to dating. For the boys, who are taught by Mr. Allison, seventh and eighth grade Hygiene is devoted to body hygiene. Miss Ganter presents an interesting course of physiology to the tenth grade girls, while the boys at this age are taking up extensive training in first aid. At the eleventh grade level girls study mental hygiene, boys take up etiquette and family life, and both study personality development. Senior girls and boys study the problems of married and family life, as well as how to choose a partner. The two groups have been combined on occasions for panel discussions on dating. Hygiene classes provide an excellent outlet for problems of social, physical, and emotional development of the students. It adapts itself readily to their needs and, therefore, is profitable to young people of all ages. 24 I Mr. Allison Eighth grade Hygiene

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INDUSTRIAL ART ' Industrial Arts is Composed of many facets some enth to ninth grades, and it becomes elective in sen- of which are drafting, woodworking, photography and iOl' high, Where 21 boy may CICCY 25 many 2-S twelve metal crafts. We shall be concerned primarily with pCri0dS 21 Week. The work of this is supervised by the first three. Industrial Arts is compulsory from sev- MF. D. C- Shirk. Drafting The purpose of Industrial Arts is to acquaint the student with the materials and processes of industry. Its aim is not to create car- penters, metal workers, or draftsmen but simply to give the student an introduction to the work performed by industry today. However, before one can engage in a project with the knowledge he gains here, he must plan his project to the most minute detail on paper. Planning ahead, insures success and lessens waste of time and materials. Draft- ing, like some forms of mathematics, develops organized minds and instills in students the habit of planning ahead. This course, along with its running mate, shop, helps to point out fields of vocation rather than to train students specifically for these vocations. Ninth Grade Drafting Wood Shop As another phase of Industrial Arts, Ushopv goes hand-in-hand with drafting, for when the plan of a project has been made on paper, it is then used in wood shop, or metal shop, as the case might be. In seventh grade the students start out by learning how to use basic hand tools. They are given a board which they plane and make into an attractive serving tray with the use of a jigsaw. Eighth graders, this year, turned out canape holders in the shape of a pig. Finished and painted, the little pigs made fitting decorations for any table. After the eighth graders have finished this required project, they have their choice of another. Metal shop is for the ninth graders who make cookie cutters Eighth Grade Wood Shop Mr. D. C. Shirk from sheet metal. The more advanced members of the class are taught to use the lathe. In the elective course offered to senior high students, the individuals are permitted their choice of a wide variety of imagin- ative projects. 26