ELEMENTARY MANUAL TRAINING
The aim of this work is to develop habits of efficient, thoughtful, well-planned, workmanship and an appreciation of beauty in constructed objects, and to establish a course which will lead logically through the grades, to give the children the necessary preliminary training in constructive work before beginning wood- work in the seventh grade.
The problems for the first three grades deal with measuring, cutting, folding and pasting.
In the fourth and fifth grades the problems involve more careful planning on the part of the children.
They are given a problem, shown various models of the object, discuss the requirements and make their patterns 1oosing their own dimensions. For the final drawing, the pattern showing the best proportions and worked out with the most accuracy is chosen, and all work from that.
As far as possible we have constructed articles which were actually needed in the schools, as sewing measures for the sewing classes, envelopes to hold written work and report cards, and at Christmas time various gifts were made.
The fifth grades will take up simple problems in bookbinding during the remainder of the year.
The sixth grade boys are taught whittling. This involves working drawings of each object made and the use of knife and try square. Thus, when bench work is begun in the seventh grade, the boys should have gained some knowledge of how to make and read a working drawing and how to square up stock.
In conclusion, I wish to express to the teachers, to the Superintendent, and to the Committee my deep appreciation of the earnest support, which they have given to the work.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN SARGENT, Supervisor of Drawing.
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