The Washington times., 1894-06-19
WHAT THEIR HANDS CAN Do
Exhibition Of Work Performed by
Public School Children.
ARTISTS WITH TOOL AND BRUSH
Little Tots Show Their Skill in Simple Draw
ing-Girls and Boys Do the Same Tasks.
Products Of Manual Training-A Credit to
Teachers and Scholars

One OF the most interesting and instructive
feathresnn connection with the closing OF the
public schools this year is the exhibitions OF
work done by the pupils in drawing, sketch
ing, sewing, and manual training.
In the Franklin school hall there is a per-
manent exhibition of this work. which will be
opened to the public from z until o'clock
this evening and all day tomorrow. Half a
dozen young ladies and gentlemen were busily
engaged arranging the exhibits when TIMES
reporter last night entered the hall and exam
ined the articles, which were already in posi-
tion. The work begins in the first grade,
where the little tots who are having their first
experience in school life turn out simple
drawings, embracing the fundamental princi-
pies of the draughtman's art. As the child
progresses from one grade to anotner 80 the
manual treining becomes more dlf1cult, and
the nnoreifn portant features OF the work are
taught.
The wood and iron work for boys begins in
the seventh grade and continues TO the fourth
year high school. In the girls department
the same instruction is given and work done
In the first, third. or fourth grade, and then
the art of sewing is taken up. This is con-
tinued to the seventh grade.
Specimens of all these classes OF work may
be seen at the Franklin hall. Sketching from
objects has been made q feature of the work
in the higher graded schools. The idea OF
this is to avoid all mere copying OF draw
ings, and some of the sketches on exhibition
would do credit TO an experienced artist. On
the walls one may see pictures of steamboats,,
whsrves. houses. churches, and other objects
In and around the city.
ii- REPRESENTATIONS OF ANIMALS.
Some of the pupils have visited the Zoo and
produced excellent representations Of animals
and birds living in the national park. In this
sketch work the eighth grade school of Miss
F. S. Farley, of the Force building, excels.
Then there are sketches by normal school
pupils showing the different earth formation,
which are used in teaching the lower grades
The girls from the fourth to the seventh
grades are instructed in the art Of sewing,
and some of the dresses on exhibition would
be creditatle work for the best dressmakers in
town. There are kitchen aprons and wrap
pers. house gowns and evening dresses, which
show remarkable skill on the part OF the girls.
The boys begin their manuel training in
the seventh grade. They have two hours
practice a week in the shops as part of their
regular work. When they first enter the
training school they are taught how TO handle
a plane hammer nails, and saw boards with
out having TO call IN a doctor TO sew up their
fingers. As they become more proficient in
laid work is taught. Some exceedingly close
fitted specimens of this kind are on exhibi-
ton. The plain pine or ash tables are inlaid
with birds eye maple and other colored wood,
and do not differ in appearance from those
which bring fancy prices in the big down.
town stores.
BOYS CARPENTER WORK.
There is one especially fine piece OF inlaYd
work made by A. Banks and L. Polomon, two
15-year-old boys of the seventh grade. Then
there are sets of carpenters tools. blacksmith
pincers, chains, bolts and other pieces of iron
work made by the third and fourth year high
school boys. Dumb bells, Indian clubs,
stools, step ladders. and hardwood mantel
pieces made by the first year high school
pupils may also be seen
The class of '93. Central high school, have
on exhibition a 9-iDch hand-lathe, which they
made two years ago. 1t is impossible to men
tion the Individual work of each pupil, but
the exhibition has been pronounced credit
to the public schools of Washington, and
there. have been many requests for the build
ing tobe kept open several days longer, SO
that all who desire may view the work.
In the teachers library of the Franklin
school there is an exhibition OF English work.
including an essay from every pupil in the
District on various subjects.
From O'Clock yesterday morning until
in the afternoon there was also an exhibition
of wood and iron work in the high school |
manual training shops, al 620 o street north |
west. The feature OF this exhibit was three |
horse power upright engine. the product of |
the class of '94. 1t Is a remarkably clever |
piece OF mechanism, and in point of finish is |
equal to anything turned out by the big ma |
chine shops. Next year the pupils will con-
struct dynamo. This display is much to the |
credit OF the principal, Mr.. Gardner, and his |
oCc1E H.