The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1912-03-01
IMPROVEMENTS IN RURAL
SCHOOL DISTRICTS
(By Earl S. Wooster, Lewiston State
Normal School.)

(By Earl S. Wooster, Lewiston state
Normal School.)
Practical work that is to contribute
to the improvement of conditions IN
the rural districts must be chosen to
fit the condition of the particular dis
trict. 1t must be within the capacity
of the children and contribute to
their education and at the same time
better the conditions of the people by
first, increasing their economic effl-
cheney, then improving the progress
of existing industries, or introducing
new industries that are needed. Sec
ond, improving the living conditions
surrounding them; betterment or
the physical surroundings; the in
crease of the capacity to enjoy and
appreciate the pleasure and beauties
of country life.
Considering one phase only OF
the possible work, i. e., that of man
ual training, we find large number
of exercises that involve the use OF
only the simplest tools and mater
ials. Their exercises should be chos-
en- in the light of all the Circumstance
eS.
To simply indicate the kind of ex-
ercises we may select will mention
a series of exercises arranged under
several headings.
Wood working-Th repair of all
the wood parts of farm tools, build
ings and equipment, such as the put
ting in of hoe, fork axe and hammer
handles, the replacement of the wood
parts of heavy wagons; the making
of wagon boxes, the repair OF out
buildings and construction of simple
wood buildings The building of
shelves in the school house, flower
boxes, seed terminating boxes, and
forms for simple cement work. The
replacing of broken window lights,
and other similar exercises that will
occur to any teacher who will actual
ly start such work Along with the
wood working practice, the selection,
preparation and application of paints,
For example, the painting of farm
wagons, implements and out build
ings, as we'll as simple exterior and
interior house wood work.
Concrete work is one of the indi-
rect means of improving the farm
stead. Supervise the preparation of
concrete and the building of concrete
walks, steps, foundations and fence
posts both at school and on the farm.
The repair of farm implements in
wolves the cold working of iron as
we'll as the working of wood. We
can teach the boys how to drill and
tap holes in small iron as in the re.
pair of harrow or plow, how tc
properly rivet and bolt iron, to re.
thread bolts and to make and fit iron
rods and braces. The neat and strong
splicing of wire and the erection Of
wire fencing are valuable lessons.
Harness and leather goods are uni
versally used on farms and ranches
Teach the boys to make neat strong
splice in a broken strap by means
of rivets or thread; how to cut 6
strap from side of leather ant
York it into such simple things al
a hitching strap, riding bride or coll
halter.
There are many other problems
that will come from the farm to the
school and serve as tools to increase
the efficiency of our boys. The prob
lens should be furnished by thu
school or farm and should be actua
repairs or construction of useful ar
ticles. as broken fork or harness o
a neighbor X or Y. The above ma.
suggest some of the available mater
ial which may be used.
This work relates very closely t.
the problems of the up keep of build
ings and grounds. If the boys ar
encouraged to repair broken windows
fences and doors, and put in new
book Shelves window boxes, walk
and fences, they will gain respec
for the school property that can b
obtained in no other way.
For the girls the work might In
clude the study of fabrics, the selet
tion of fabrics and colors for tn
making of simple garments, the cut
ting, fitting and making of such gal
ments as simple aprons, skirts
waists, ETC., the selection of foods an
preparation of simple warm lunc
dishes for the school, the care an
cleaning of room.
Much work in agriculture as W
cation is we'll adapted to both boy
and girls. Such work would be tn
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