Industrial Work For Boys

Industrial Work for Boys - 1916 - PREFACE - For several reasons, industrial work should not be left for the high school grades exclusively. First, comparatively few reach the high school. Second, it is as necessary to have early training in this phase of education as in any other, if the student is to do his best in the advanced work of the high school. Again, experience proves that the . industrial work offered in the grades creates interest and enjoyment in the pupils and is a means of retaining more pupils in school much longer than the average time-of attendance in schools not offering such work. Finally, a study of the industries of a great commercial nation, such as ours, is of vital importance to the future welfare of the country, and cannot begin too early. The work suggested in this little book has been done successfully for a number of years in the teachers training department, in the intermediate and upper grades and in the rural schools that were under the supervision of the author. At the annual exhibit of fifteen associated rural schools practically all the work here outlined has been shown. - Any of the elementary work that the students already have had may be omitted. Boys who are taking the work for the first time, however, should do the work in weaving, both paper and rug, as well as basketry and other work before attempting the rope work and woodwork. The teacher should have several industrial books for reference, from which occasionally supplementary exercises may be given. The Farm and Business Accounts should be expanded and used as the basis for much of the work in the upper arithmetic classes. A home credit plan should , be adopted and the students encouraged to do some of the home projects during the school year as well as in the summer. Naturally, more can be done in some schools than in others, but all can do some industrial work and, if the students are allowed some form of credit for what is done at home, most of this course can be completed. The teacher will find a discussion of the industrial course of study in the authors Rural Education. Teachers who are not familiar with the Division Plan of conducting the classes should use that book as a reference. Several persons materially assisted the author in the preparation of this book. Mr. J. B. Frear, formerly instructor in farm mechanics at the Minnesota College of Agriculture, kindly gave permission to use material from Minnesota Bulletin Number 136. The photographs of rope work were made especially for the author by Mr. J. T. Horton, station photographer, by special arrangement with the Minnesota College of Agriculture. Especial thanks are due Mr. A. H. Carlson, head of the Industrial Department, Rushford, Minnesota, and Mr. L. E. Stockwell, head of the Department of Manual Training, Cokato, Minnesota, for valuable assistance in the preparation of the projects in woodwork. Also to Supt. R. H. Blankenship, of Pine County, Minnesota, one of the pioneer advocates of industrial work in rural schools. State and federal bulletins as well as industrial periodicals were consulted for some of the projects given. A. E. PICKARD. December, 1916...