Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-03-31
instruction in Household
Arts and Manual Training
In the Schools Of Gardiner

Gardiner, Maine, March 30.-(Spe-
ciaD-What is regarded by many as
one Of the most important steps of
the year just passed in the educational
life of our city is the introduction of
Manual Training for Boys and in
The report Of the School Department
will be of decided int rest to our citi-
zens. not only for the information it
contains regarding these two branches,
but concerning ali branches OF our
educational department
The introduction Of Manual Train
ing has long been considered and a
step made toward its introduction
when building Wa. constructed on
Highland avenue several years ago,
designed for use for this study. After
several years. during which the build
ing was used as City Mission, an APP
preparation was made by the City
Council and Joseph Y. Baron.
graduate of the Boston Normal Art
School and of the Royal Industrial
School of Munich, was engaged as in
structor, engaged as Director of
Manual Training. His report is COM
prehensive and shows that, to quote
from it:
Manual Training in Gardiner has
been received with enthusiasm by the
boys of the public schools. One hun
dred and forty-eight boys attend the
school each week and each division
devotes one hour ana a half to the
work Many of the boys are allowed
to attend Saturday morning class
longer period.
Good Supply Of Tools.
"A liberak supply Of tools has been
supplied for general Use and includes
the following: Splitting saws. cross
cut saws, turning and bracket saws,
draw ShaVeS, spoke shaVeS, large metal
squares, steel compass, pliers. braces.
bits. hand drills, angle squares. miter
boxes, iron clamps cabinet makers
clamps. Suages. files. large joining
planes, SrindStone, oil stones, glue pot.
OIL nails. screws. drawing boards. For
individual use the following tools are
placed at each bench: back saw. ham,
mer, try square, rule, jack plane, block
plane. guage. Sloyd knife, chiSels, awl,
nail set, dust brush.
The school is equipped with IL
steel frame benches ana each has two
steel rapid acting vises and drawer for
n 6ixvi1, hAt, = hn
most economical and convenient. is
most generally used. AS educators
agree that basketry and bookbindinS
are valuable subjects for the eduCa
tion of the hand. these subjects are
taught as elementary crafts. Boys
Of the seventh grade are taught ele
mentary mechanical drawing, prepara
tory to the making of working draw
ings and plans. Boys in the eighth.
ninth and freshmen ir the High school
have been given initial problems in
wood working to test their ability.
Mr. Baron says, 1T is an Interesting
fact that many of the younger boys
show a greater proficiency than the
older ones. This is not peculiar to
any locality and has always made me
give boy problem suitable for his
ability rather than according to his
grade or age"
The Workers. interest.
The boys are allowed to retain the
finished product of their handicraft
upon payment of actual cost of ma
terial.
Domestic Science.
Domestic Science was begun in the
public schools of our city Sept. 15.
1915, with Miss Lucy l.. Thompson as
instructress. Already results have
proved that no mistake was made in
its introduction. nor in the choice of a
teacher. The girls are enthusiastic
over the work. which has given an
added zest to school life, never before
attained in Gardiner. Temporary
quarters have been secured at the
Cniversalist vestry. In the fitting of
the class room Gardiner industries
have been patronized, the tables being
constructed in this city and nearly all
the equipment purchased here. The
best possible description of the work
is to be found in the report of Miss
i thompson, ITOIn WHICH we queue.
THE sewing. classes are conducted
in the various grade rooms Each
pupil is equipped with work bag,
needles pins. thimble. scissors and d
tape measure Much of the thread is
supplied by the city, while the parents
are asked to furnish the other sewing
material. AS each sewing problem is
completed it becomes the child's prop
erty. Every attempt is made to keep
the cost as low as possible and pro-
vision has been made through outside
parties to secure sewing material for
those unable to purchase it. Sewing
is taught one hour each week to both
toys and girls in the sixth grade and
to the girls of the seventh grade.
Some outside work is required includ-
ing a study of the manufacture Of
needles, pins, thimbles, etc. The aim
Of sewing is to teach pupils: to use
sewing tools with dexterity. to work
neatly, to consider cost Of material, to
be economical in cutting and basting,
to be accurate, to repair clothing. to
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