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

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Svcial Studies ln the New York Times today . . . World history - Mr. G's version. Here's Wyomissingi' The Social Studies course is a benefit to each student since it provides a background of in- formation which is of great value in helping him to understand better the problems of contem- porary life. h In the seventh grade, students are instructed in world history and geography. Under the guidance of Mr. Reitz and Mr. Goodling, the students acquire a basic knowledge of the 'Eastern Hemisphere. Eighth graders are educated in American history, which is supplemented by a geography course, both also under the direction of Mr. Reitz and Mr. Goodling. In the ninth grade, instructed by Mr. Gebensleben, pupils receive a course in civics and Pennsylvania history, in which they learn about the government and operation of their own state. Tenth graders are confronted again with the study of World history, also taught by Mr. Gebensleben. American history is re- peated in eleventh grade, only in a more de- tailed fashion, concentrating on the Civil War, the World Wars, and the Constitution. Seniors are taught a course dealing with problems of our American democracy, taught by Mr. Shafer. As part of this course, students journey to the Court House. Besides the compulsory history courses, there is, offered as an elective major, the psychology and sociology course under the supervision of Mrs. Knipe. This class, conducted in seminar fashion, gives the student a better understanding of himself, his behavior, and his actions. It also gives him the opportunity to leam the funda- mental laws of social relations. Notebooks are due Friday. 24

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Suglislz The seventh and eighth grades receive their English instruction from Mrs. Helen Getz, the ninth grade, from Mrs. Helen Houck. While in junior high, the student is schooled in the mastery of certain basic skills such as writing, spelling, use of the dictionary and organization, punctuation, and analysis of simple sentences. Once learned, these skills are combined and put to use in the writing of short themes, letters, and book reports. Each student learns to compare, analyze, and correct his work, aiming toward the elimination of his errors. New this year is a reading program for junior high students con- ducted by Mrs. Houck, who is using the Science Research Associates Reading Laboratory. This in- cludes Power Build- ers, Rate Builders, and Listening Skills. The Scott-Foresman Read- ing Service, which starts the second quarter, consists of basic reading skills. Mrs. Houck strives to make better, faster readers of her stu- dents. Increasing reading skills. Posting the best reports. The English course is designed to be a functional part of the academic program. Mr. Russell Milford is the instructor of the juniors and sen- iors, While Miss Naomi Pease instructs the sophomores. Sophomores a n d juniors make use of the Readers' Digest for further study in vocabulary, w h i l e seniors write themes every Friday, often- times employing a thesaurus to a i d them in their vocab- ulary. The seniors also use a grammar and vocabulary work book. students study Julius Caesar, eleventh graders devote time to American literature, and seniors read English literature. Overseeing the Friday themes. An Investigative Theme on a literary topic is re- quired of every senior before he can graduate. Ac- complishing this gives the students preparation for the working world as well as for college. It also gives each individual a chance for self expression, helping him to develop a logical style of writing, and to em- ploy skill in composition, grammar, and vocabulary. To develop proficiency in oral composition, each pupil is required to give a speech in his own class several times during the school year. Senior high English classes provide the students with a solid background for future college training. 23

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Languages All right now, people. The third plural of amo is not amatl Conjugation of new verbs. Included in the curriculum at Wyomissing High School are the modern languages, French and Spanish, along with ancient Latin. Mrs. Yvonne Millet introduces spoken French on the grade school level. This course is con- tinued through the eighth grade where it then becomes an elective. Since the foundation of the Romance Languages is Latin, most ninth and tenth graders be- come well indoctrinated in this subject before progressing to French or Spanish. Mrs. Florence Schrack, the Latin teacher, stresses vocabulary and grammar as a prerequisite for translation. Un- til the latter half of the sophomore year, when the students study Caesar, the translations con- sist of mythology. This year a third year Latin class has once again been formed. Latin not only helps students when studying other lan- guages, but also helps them in English by improv' ing vocabulary through the learning of deriva- Mrs. Millet and pupils. tives. A new teacher on our faculty, Miss Pease, teaches French to juniors and seniors. In ad- dition, French is being offered this year to the tenth grade students for the first time. In this course, Miss Pease stresses the fundamentals of the language and works to improve the students' skill in reading, writing, and speaking. The first year Spanish students, taught by Mrs. Knipe, begin to master the language of our neighbors south of the border . The second year Spanish students translate old Spanish fables, learn some ancient Spanish history and become familiar with new grammar and verbal constructions. 25