The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-04-09
Chamen Of Committees invited 10 freely use these col
umns We wish frequent reports from
every Club in the State.

Work began in agriculture. In the
study of seeds and Of plants the pupils
In all grades were led to desire
to know, by seeing and doing, the
wonderful process of termination,
leaf and stalk development, budding,
blooming and ripening of the seed.
A local seed firm sold, by request,
small packages of flower and vege-
table seeds for one cent each. Each
pupils purchased such seed as he de>
sired, spaded up his own back Of
front yard or neigh boring vacant plot,
|planted his seed, cultivated his plants,
watched their development, reported
results, brought samples of flowers
or vegetables to his teacher, and es-
corted his teacher and other visitors
out to his little experimental plot
when occasion permitted.
The work in folding, paper cutting,
sewing, molding and water color in
the primary grades, evolved into
! needlework, in making the simpler
forms Of wearing apparel and house
ornament, by the girls and in whit
Ting out models of ladders, swings,
tables land chairs; in the making of
broom holders 7 towel racks, coat
hangers knife boxes, pencil holders,
match safes, spice boxes and other
articles for the home, schoolroom or
business desk
This work was done, at home with
whatever tools or equipment the
pupils could secure. Results were
brought. to school and showed to
teacher and schoolmates. Originality
and skillful workmanship, were en-
couraged.
The eighth grade had lessons in
/ cooking. Once each week a recipe
was written on the board or read to
the pupils, who copied it. These re-
cipes were secured from the school of
domestic science at the university.
The teacher first tried the recipe
and presented only what she had
proven with her own hands to be
practical with the beginnerin cook
ing. During the week each pupil, un-
aided, in his own home, cooked the
article, as many times as desired, and
reported, with sample of cooking
when practical at the regular time
of the lesson the following week
when free discussion was participated
in by all members of the class. The
cooking was done on stoves with fuel
Of gas, coal, wood, cobs, or trash, and
with utensils varying from the most
simple and undesirable to the most
expensive and best adapted cooking
vessel. These varied conditions
brought experiences interesting to
hear and profitable to know
Before the close of school in the
spring patrons day was observed. A
part of the forenoon was spent in
placing on the walls and on the seats
across which boards had been laid,
specimens of the work in each room.
This included the various kinds of
regular schoolwork and results of
work in the industrial lines before
mentioned.
In the afternoon the pupils in each
room, in charge of their respective
teachers, passed through the various
rooms viewing the work of the other
grades. Patrons were permitted to
examine any of the work in any of
the rooms at their leisure. While the
results in the regular schoolwork at
tracted the usual attention, it was the
work in cooking, sewing and manual
training that excited the greatest in
terest and attention of the visitors.
At the noon hour temper
airy table was arranged in one of
hte primary rooms and the eighth
teachers and some invited guests, the
cooking and serving being done en-
tirely by members of the eighth
grade. Even the boys were proud to
have hand in it. The lessons given
in cooking had not been restricted to
girls.
This briefly is the plan of the
Bancroft school. From this crude be-
ginning the work in these three lines
has been systematized, and teachers
pupils and patrons have become more
confident in the possibility of getting
good results without the use of ex-
)ensive equipment and means other
han their own resources; homes have
been reached; the school children APP
)reciate the opportunities they have;
he patrons recognize the. value of
he work and feel that between the
school and the home there is a rela-
ion which if properly sustained will
make better homes; better schools
ind better citizens.
The Crete plan--Crete is pros
,erous little town of 5000 inhabi-
ants in fertile agricultural section.
If Nebraska. Superintendent G. A.
gregory has faith in industrial trainSx
ng as healthful auxiliary to the
ocular schoolwork. One corner of
! basementroom was cleared out,
ONE common woodworking tools
ecured and the Crete school boys
we're given chance to learn to do
hipgs. They we're encouraged to
stablish workshops at home, make
Use Of the old saw, chisel, plane and
ammer and provide necessary ar
icles for use or ornament about the
ONE. The boys liked it, The pat
ons began to like it.
But there were the high school
iris crowding their. heads with
choolbook lore, and neglecting train
ng of the hand, the eye and the sense
;<rbt -. 4 Thnrn