According to Season V ANNA B. BADLAM (All rights reserved) "January brings the snow, Makes our toes and fingers glow." Mother Earth's Quilts Four quilts are ready to fold and spread She spreads her quilt of snowy white.-Sel. Suggestive Topics I The ground serves the purpose of a bed to seeds, roots, etc. Why? Description of an old-fashioned trundle bed given; the origin of the name; anecdotes about children of long ago. 2 Mother earth is like a careful housewife. She provides appropriate covering for her bed, as each season approaches. 3 A brief talk based upon the child's memory of the appearance of the ground in the spring, in summer, in autumn. 4 The winter quilt of white. Its characteristics; how it serves its purpose. 5 Snow; its characteristics. Snow crystals; their six sided star-like forms. NOTE.-Patterns of" snow stars are used now in 'most kindergarten schools. Mounted upon black paper, they serve the purpose of schoolroom illustration and lead to outdoor observation. Such patterns can be bought of any dealer in kindergarten supplies. Take advantage of the first fall of snow - when the flakes are large and feathery and capture some upon pieces of soft black woollen cloth for the children to examine. Encourage them to catch the snowflakes upon their coats on the way to and from school. 6 A consideration of the nature of the dew; of hoar frost; of raindrops; of snowflakes. 7 Varied nature of rainfall. Terms applied, as "sprinkle," shower, storm, hurricane, etc. The influence of the wind in determining the violence of a storm. Amount of rainfall; how measured. Floods, droughts. 8 Varied nature of snowfall. Terms applied, a "flurry," squall, storm, blizzard, etc. The influence of the wind in determining the violence of a storm. Drifts; their use if any; the inconvenience, often danger of snow drifting. Snow sheds, why built along some of the western railroads? Snow-ploughs, their purpose. 9 Value of rain; in nature; in the life of man. 10 A broader view of the occupations of man, as: tree-felling, logging, ice cutting, etc. (see December number), dependent upon snow and ice. Ice formation. The depth to which ice usually freezes upon ponds, lakes, and rivers. What would become of fishes did such bodies of water become solid ice? NOTE."The Old Woman and Her Pig" may be quoted to the children as an illustration of " cause and effect" and to show the dependence of one thing upon another. "An Old-fashioned Rhyme," by Emilie Poulsson in "Stories for Children," published by the American Book Company, is a most valuable and attractive illustration of man's dependence upon his fellow men, in even the simplest daily occupations. The lines may be utilized for Penmanship lessons, Busy Work exercises, or, if the rhyme be illustrated by outline drawings upon the board, it may be made to serve as a pleasing recitation for voice expression with appropriate gestures. "The Little Gray Pony," in the Blodgett Second Reader, presents a sequence of events, fully as interesting to the children as those in "An Old-Fashioned Rhyme." Memory Gems Two eyes and only one mouth have we. Two ears and only one mouth have we. The reason is very clear That we are not to talk about Everything we hear.-Sel. NOTE.-The thought of the New Year with its resolutions may be casually touched upon, and the lesson conveyed in the memory gem become a motive in the life of each child. A Frown and a Smile Adapted for the school-room from Theodosia P. Garrison's lines. Such a silly little, foolish little, naughty little frown And made a pleasant room as black as ink. Such a pleasant little, happy little, jolly little smile Yet that happy little smile kept the school-room all the while As cheerful as the sunshine and as gay. Suggestion Exercise Silent Laughter Recall to the children's thought instances when they have seen people laugh heartily, yet noiselessly. Explain to them that you are going to "pretend" as they call it that you are looking at or hearing something very funny, that you are going to be very much amused, but that you are not going to make a sound; anyone may laugh with you, as he sees the fun, but he must do it in silence; whoever laughs aloud must be "out" of the game. By means of pantomime evince all the symptoms of " silent laughter," in its various stages-holding the sides, swaying to and fro, as if unable to restrain one's mirth. Gradually, the children, one by one, will enter into the fun, and by pantomime express their appreciation of it. The merriment will be increased, if, inadvertently, some child is overcome enough to laugh aloud and has to count himself "out" of the game. Occasionally, astonish the children, by giving way to the laughter with a merry "Ha, ha, ha!" and let them "join in" with the actual laughter you have awakened and provoked by the unexpected challenge. I Select from the memory gems all words, as mouth, reason, ears, etc., which, with a change of initial, will form a group, or family, of words which rhyme. Secure from the children the group of words in each case, as mouth, south; reason, season, treason; ears, fears, hears, shears, tears, etc. 2 Select words in which - by "beheading a new word or words may be found, as: think, ink; clear, ear; small, all; slightest, lightest; etc. 3 Select words in which new words, not "stems," may be found, as: reason, son; eyes, yes; only, on; every, very; not, no; about, out; frown, own. Familiar Rhyme When the days begin to lengthen The weather begins to strengthen. Supplementary Work Suggestive Topics I Conversations based upon the daily observation of the increase in the length of days; the increase of cold. 2 Children of northern lands. Their mode of living. Uses of snow and ice in such countries in forming shelters. The long darkness of the northern winter. The animal life, the scant vegetation. The small size of the trees. NOTE. In this connection, read "The Race of the Trees," in "Stories for Children" (American Book Company). 3 Mountains of earth -the 66 snow line." of ice (icebergs). Danger from floating icebergs. south; the out-of-door pursuits. Animal life; luxuriant vegetation; description of mammoth trees and fruits. NOTE.-Show pictures of Florida, California. The Story Hour Read "What Broke the Ice Pitcher?" "The Vapot Family," "Vapors " - all in "Cat Tails and Other Tales," published by A. Flanagan Company; "A Story for Willie Winkle" from Wiltse's "Morning Talks." "Eskimo Stories," Rand, McNally & Co. NOTE.-Interest the children in the preservation of the few winter birds that remain with us through the winter. Show pictures of rabbits, etc., for color of summer, of winter coat. Give the reason for the change in color. Rhymes for Penmanship Lessons NOTE,-At this stage of the work, the class may be trained in the mechanical work of using margins and arranging the lines of a stanza of poetry. These rhymes will interest the class, because showing how man depends upon man in the occupations of life, and how one thing depends upon another in nature. Each has its appointed work. Teach the class to begin each line of a stanza with a capital. Accustom the class to the use of margins. Show, by illustration, that a line of poetry if too long for one space-must be continued into the next space, a little to the right of-not under-the beginning of the line. Nuggets in Rhyme This world is quite a busy one, And many wonders there are done. The brooks and rivers onward go In forest depths are rows of trees The carpenter and the mason, too, If they were idle, no one could Our homes need beds, and tables, chairs, If on the water we would ride Men work in darkness under ground Where many metals may be found. A miner worketh in his turn But wooden stoves would never do, So miners dig for iron, too. Steel's made from iron, so you know Fierce foundry fires have to glow. Thus steel and iron, coal and wood, And skill of man do us great good, Long coat of gray, his very best ; Cap, black and white, a spotless vest; He comes when seeds are buried low Beneath a frozen crust of snow. Chick-a-dee, dee! Chick-a-dee, dee! Repeat {Hungry friend, wee chick-a-dee! Repeat Repeat I love my friend, whose saucy note Comes piping forth from sturdy throat; This faithful friend, whose song of glee Is ever welcome unto me. S Chick-a-dee, dee! Chick-a-dee, dee! Constant friend, wee chick-a-dee. He seeks his food, no beggar he, From twig and bark, of bush and tree; But yet the crumbs I throw around, He gladly gathers from the ground. (Chick-a-dee, dee! Chick-a-dee, dee! Grateful friend, wee chick-a-dee. TEACHERS EXCHANGE A Primary Teacher's Supplies Not the supplies furnished by the School Board. Oh, no! If School Boards were to read the list I am about to offerwhich is not at all likely to happen, since they seldom read educational papers-they would probably fail to understand the use to the teacher of most of the articles memtioned. I have in my closet a miscellaneous lot which has been accumulating one by one, as occasion required, and I am going to recommend them to you as supplies which you will find very useful. I think you will find, if you have them at hand, that things will run more smoothly in the primary room and that after once having had them, you will hardly wish to be without them. Of course, some of them may not suit your needs as they do mine. Here is my list: 1 Pieces of old, white cloth, for bandages or for handkerchief when that necessary article is missing. 2 Needle and thread. "Are we expected to mend the children's garments as well as their morals?" some one may ask. Certainly not. But they will be found useful in many cases of accidents. 3 A box of string for tying bundles, repairing some treasured plaything, or for reins for playing horse A jar of vaseline, for application to wounds. 5 Court plaster, for cuts. 6 A small vial of carbolic acid. If a child is taken ill in the room it is wise to sprinkle the floor by dipping a whisk into water containing a few drops of carbolic acid. 7 A whisk broom, for the above-mentioned use, also for brushing snow or dust from jackets. 8 Hammer, screw-driver, screws, nails and tacks, for making repairs, if you happen to be in a school where you cannot readily obtain the assistance of the janitor. 9 Cotton batting, for ear-aches which frequently occur in cold weather. 10 Round, smooth stones which the children will gladly bring-for paper weights, to keep your papers from flying about when the windows are opened. II fruit-knife for cutting the children's apples, etc. Encourage their sharing lunches. 12 A bottle of mucilage, if this is not furnished with your drawing supplies. 13 Olive bottles, if you have not a sufficient number of vases. 14 Pincushion, well-stocked. 15 Looking-glass for children who come with dirty faces, tumbled hair, or cross looks to make use of occasionally. 16 Old newspapers. 17 Bits of wire. 18 Small lamp for occasional use after school in the short days of winter. 19 Plenty of empty boxes. A grape-basket or two. A 20 All of the above things I find most useful. Are they on your list? LAURA F. ARMITAGE Broken Pencils What shall be done when John and Mary break, daily, two or three pencils each? I believe I have successfully solved the problem. I have experimented with all kinds of pencils and have found the pencil. It is the "Sun No. 3 redwood covered Eagle Co. pencil." The redwood covered No. 3 is different from all other No. 3's of same make. With a class of forty pupils in the second grade a set of these pencils will last an entire week without a single pupil breaking a single pencil. Previously this same class broke six, eight, and ten pencils daily. Our first grade teacher reports equally favorably with regard to these pencils. Inattention ANTOINETTE CANFIELD I wonder if some second grade PRIMARY EDUCATION reader with a large school and consequently large divisions in number has been troubled, as I have been, with a restlessness and inattention among the brightest pupils while the work is continued with those who grasp number less readily. To obviate this, I prepare sets of cards containing twenty or more problems including a review of everything previously taught. These are numbered, so that a set may be used two or three weeks if desired. Those who first master what is being taught are given one of these cards which they take to the blackboard. This leaves the teacher with three or four in each division who need most help. The privilege of working at the board is an incentive and solves the problem of inattention. It is a rest from so much seat-work, and the training of quiet, independent work certainly has its place. Often one or two pupils doing the neatest work correct these problems. Sometimes the pupils of a second division correct the work done by the previous division, leaving the teacher again with a small group who need special help. A Use for Advertising Calendars C. A. Last January, one of my pupils presented me with a large calendar advertising the local bank and expected it to be used to decorate the room. The upper half of each page was given to advertising the bank and the lower part to the calendar itself. The figures were blue on a white ground; they were large and distinct enough to be seen in all parts of the room. But the advertising! How could I keep such a thing in the room? Previous to this time I had always drawn my calendars on the board. After much thinking, I planned to cover up the "ad." I purchased some charcoal paper and cut a piece just large enough to cover up the letters. In my calendar it is 10 in. x 22 in. On this I made a winter sketch in colored crayons and mounted it over the advertisement. It proved a pleasure for the whole month. I use either wax crayons or colored pencils for the drawing, and for soft skies I find the blackboard crayons are best if most of the color is rubbed off with a cloth. As the new months came I made different pictures, some in colors and some in monochrone, either a sepia or a charcoal drawing. I use the same sketchy style that is used for blackboard drawing, as it gives the best results. I have drawn landscapes, usually, although flowers or fruit are equally good. MARIE I. DEGRAFF Multiplication Drill For drill work on the multiplication tables, I like to use bean bags, and I assure you that my children do. They never, suspect what they are getting, but their interest rises to white heat, and I have never known a child to miss in his score. The method is very simple. Mark the circle, and station the children at a suitable distance, with the bags. If I wish drill on the "three" table, for instance, each bag that falls into the ring counts three. Each child is allowed three throws at a turn, and for every successive round of turns the distance is increased. It is amazing to see how easily the dullest one keeps his score even beyond the twelve times. An Ounce of Preventio C. S. What is that child holding up? If it isn't a piece of seat-work! And there is another being held up -- and another! How provoking! The boxes are put away so nicely, and it will take at least a half hour after school to sort them out. When you have them all sorted out again, Miss Inexperience and we have all been you just get your pen and number your boxes. What a pile! Now, if you have the time, later if not, number every piece inside the box or envelope with the number outside. A simple plan, is it not? But to-morrow, when three or four pieces are picked up after the work is put away, any child can find the boxes and slip the pieces in. Aren't you glad to know that? ECONOMY E had just turned from Delaware Avenue, with its stately homes, into picturesque Johnson's Park, when Miss Meredith exclaimed enthusiastically: "There it is-that's the Chapter House!" "You do not mean that public school teachers teachers own that splendid looking building?" I asked with surprise. women "I do indeed. We women teachers of Buffalo own that property valued at $25,000. This situation is one of the most desirable in the city." "But do tell me how you ever found the means to buy such a building?" "In various ways: We have always derived funds from the annual membership fees - only two dollars a member; from the life-membership fees, only fifty dollars a member, but there are a great many life-members. In the early days, the W. T. A. gave fairs, strawberry festivals and fêtes, all of which were a source of much revenue to the treasurer. The lectures, evening musicals, and public meetings (these are all extras, not our regular monthly meetings) all yield funds over and above their expenses, although the object in providing these is not financial but educational. Then the house was rented for social gatherings (not teachers) and these rentals were most profitable. It seems astonishing, does it not, that a house of such proportions could be purchased and paid for in this way? Yes, it is a fine building, and the interior of the building is really more attractive than the exterior. But just come inside and see for yourself. I want you to see the parlors in the lovely mellow sunlight." Drawing aside a rich portiere, Miss Meredith opened to view a beautiful room, saying: "Just glance at those color harmonies for an instant and then we will take a view of these two floors. This is the kitchen. You see there are a number of coterie teas and You'd not be surprised at its beauty if you knew the donor, Miss Ada M. Kenyon, of Central High School. She is one of the most cultivated women of the city." "Well, you certainly have an interesting library. But what book is this?" I inquired. "Oh, that's the W. T. A. scrap book.", "Well then, that's just the book I want, for it will tell me how you women teachers have accomplished the impossible - how you gathered together this specious elegance-that's what I want to know, how you did it." We opened the ponderous volume, dating back to 1889. "So you have a press committee," I commented, examining clippings from local papers. "What an amusing notice of your first meeting for organization no men to be admitted!" "Oh, well," broke ir Miss Meredith, "the W. T. A. has changed since September, 1889, for now our best friend is a man, Superintendent Emerson. He comes in here and gives us inspiring addresses." "Here are the reports I'm looking for. You have had fairs, festivals, and feasts to raise funds for the advancement of your work. You've been very enterprising," I said. "And yet" this very thoughtfully "it has not been our alliterative affairs, festivals, and feasts exclusively that have furthered our work. Let me find the reports of our intellectual gatherings and you'll understand why we have. prospered." "Professor Richard G. Moulton!" I read. "So you have had University Extension lectures of first rank to feast upon. Professor Charles Zeublin ! Doctor Toyokichi Iyenaga, with his lectures on the Far East. And you are to have Edward Howard Griggs? You certainly plan for the best." "Just read this notice of a musical given last winter. We had lovely social times on Saturday afternoons during the season. The usages of the best society are observed in our musicals, receptions, and socials, and these affairs are really charming. Some form of entertainment provided by the city's most talented artists attracts us here Saturday afternoons." |