The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-01
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school are set forth graphically in .
bulletin that has been issued by the
United States bureau Of education con-
corning the school in district No. 40.
Adams county. Neb.. which was the
drst rural school in that state to do
systematic work in domestic science
and agriculture. This school, which 10
near Hastings. has no better equip-
ments nor surroundings than the av-
erage rural school. In many respects
it IL not as we'll equipped as many
other schools.
The beginning Of the work in domes-
tic science was the outgrowth Of an
industrial county teachers institute.
of August. 1912. Nothing was offered
at that institute but agriculture. man.
ual training. and domestic science. In
preparing for the institute, the county
superintendent purchased a workbench
and complete set of tools and a kitchen
cabinet. On the closing day Of insti-
tute a spelling contest was held and
these articles were awarded to the best
spoilers. The teacher in district No.
40 won the kitchen cabinet
Late in the fall the teacher and larger
girls began to lay plans for work in
cooking. The pupils furnished the
material, and under the teachers di-
rections prepared a number Of articles
OF food. During the cold weather they
prepared soup or an oatmeal porridge
for their lunch. They also baked bread.
cookies, cakes. etc. This work was all
done by the girls under the guidance
Of the teacher.
One OF the pleasing features Of the
work was the fact that the school was
able to overcome the objections made
by many people concerning the teach
ing of the subjects in school, in that
no time was taken from the regular
school hours. The pupils did the work
before and after school and at the in
Permission periods. This year the same
objection is not advanced. The school
Is still doing the work as in the previ-
Gus year and has also added sewing
to the course. They now give a part
OF three afternoons each week to this
work-time taken during the school
hours.
The work in sewing is especially in
teresting. The pupils keep notebooks
Of all their work. They write up their
notes at the close of each lesson and
fasten in their notebooks the work
they are doing, SO far as they can. This
includes samples of fancy and plain
patching. the various stitching, hem
ming. darning, etc. The complete ar
ticles. such as plain and fancy aprons
and plain dresses, are taken home and
used as finished.
This spring the pupils are studying
elementary agriculture with the other
work. A great deal OF it will be ex-
perimental work. such as the testing Of
seeds, testing the water holding ca
pacity Of various soils. study of soils,
testing of milk for butter fat, study of
plants. etc. go
The school has a kitchen cabinet, q
three-hole oil stove with oven, a set
Of dishes, and various utensils neces-
sary to carry on this work. Other
equipments will be added from time to
time. The people Of the district are
interested in this phase Of school work
as much as they are in the book part
It will set as leaven not only in the
community but also in the county. II
means the beginning of the introduce
ton Of some practical phases Of school
work to supplement the work in books
The present teacher is serving her
first year in the school. She is a high
school graduate of normal training
course with four years experience. She
has never lived on a farm, but she has
entered into the life work of the com.
munity. in this way making up to q
very large degree for the lack of ex-
perience of farm life.