Mexico weekly ledger., 1879-05-15

FN ~
We find 1t difficult to give all that
should be-given in a drawing lesson,
without the aid ola blackboard but
YOU can help yourself to q clear UNI
Outstanding of the text with paper
and pencil; draw each figure, accord
ing to directions given, as you read,
and the construction will become
simple and clear if you do not, you
may as well try to solve a problem in
algebra by gazing at the question
without 3 attempt to work it .ont.
Blackboard Drawing for Pephs.-
Positions: Stand directly in front
OF the line you are drawing, hold the
right arm out straight, and stand as
far as possible from the board. Keep
the thumb on top of tie chalk. Now
let the teacher dictate various kinds
of lines-a square or some simple de-
sign-and require the pupils to work
together. Suppose the line 3, A 10 to
be drawn (the points have been glVen)
and at the word of command every
hand should start from 3 and move
steadily toward 4.
We will dictate the Greek cross as
an illustration: Draw a square one
and ahalf feet long, according to di-
rections given in last lesson; mark
the of the square l, 2, 2, and
A, beginning with the upper left-hand
corner, aud moving toward the right.
Divide each side into three equal
parts, and join the division marks
with two vertical and two horizontal
lines. The large square, l, 2, 3, 4
is now divided into nine small squares
Erase the middle square, ard all bu'
the middle division in each side o
the larger or outside square, and the
construction of the figure is com
plete.
To give an exact finish, let eacl
pupil pass the board-rubber light.
over his drawing until the surface
chalk is erased, and only a faint out
line remains TO remove all dust froa
the surface, brush the board with
bunch of feathers OF q turkey wing
Sharpen the chalk on two sides in tn
shape of a wedge, by rubbing j
against the blackboard; and holdIn;
it as before, with the thumb on top
retrace all the lines Of the drawing
with q firm, decided hand. The fig
ure is finished, and now stands on
from the dark board clear and dis
tinct.
After the pupils have taken thei
seats, call upon, them to criticise eac
others productions, always remem
bering to praise the good as well a
to condemn the bad.
The Greek cross IS not the onl,
figure which may be made from tn
nine small squares dictated we hay
at least six different designs Of tn
kind, which are used constantly a
good exercises for beginners. If an.
of our readers feel inclined to try
with q little thought they will b
able to discover these figures 70
themselves. An eight, pointed sta
and a Maltese cross are among tn
number.
The exercise given above will oc
cupy about half an hour the first tim
it is given, but after that, ten or pei
haps fifteen minutes in class, will b
all that is necessary. The finish ma
be given by the pupils out of class
after school, or at recess. We hav
heard some teachers complain ths
they cannot find even spare minute
for drawing. To those We will quot
the advice of an eminent educator
He was giving instructions i'm writing
before an institute, when he took oc
casien to remark: alternate draw
ing with writing, teachers, and yoI
win not only gain time for a mos
valuable study, but you will max
better writers Of your pupils in tn
end.n