REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MANUAL TRAINING
Beverly, Massachusetts, December 19, 1931.
To Members of the Beverly School Committee:
I hereby submit the annual report of the manual training work in the elementary schools of Beverly.
MANUAL TRAINING
With the exception of three classes, Mr. Robert Waite instructs in this department, and to him much credit is given for the interest displayed by the boys.
This interest is kept alive by the variety of projects which boys are allowed to make in a shop period. In grade eight, a visit to a shop period will disclose boys working on bird houses which are made from rough box ‘boards to the more finished book case being made from white wood.
In grades seven and eight, as Mr. Waite’s report shows, a wide variety of projects were made. Sixty-nine different projects were made, with a grand total of seven hundred and twelve for grades seven and eight.
PRACTICAL ARTS
To appreciate the practical side of this work, one should visit the Briscoe School and note the transformation of the old library room into a classroom, and the change which took place in Room 13, when it was made into the new library.
The painting and repairing of his room gave the boys an opportunity to learn something of a practical value. This type of work appeals to the boys, and it gives them experience in man-sized jobs.
In addition to taking care of all repair work in the building, the boys have received the usual instruction in practical woodturning, lessons in simple soldering, and training in the use of woodwork machinery and tools.
Many individual projects, such as hall trees, smoking stands, small tables, chests, bread boards, lamps, telephone tables and chairs, bed room screens, book cases, and end tables were made by the class members.
Mr. Robert Waite has organized an elementary course in mechanical drawing for some of the practical arts boys.
Mr. Waite’s work with the Briscoe School Craft Club should be complimented. The new stage scenery and the hanging of the new school curtain are the obvious results of this supervision.
It seems that reorganization could be affected by having the eighth grade course in Manual Training changed so that four short exploratory courses could be given.
Mr. Pierce and Mr. Cronin are planning to work out a new course of study in this particular.
I appreciate the co-operation which Mr. Chace and Mr. Cronin have given me.
Respectfully submitted,
JESSE A. DUTELLE.
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