Chapter 3

1.Building fire in the morning5minutes2.Milking a cow5"3.Cleaning a cow5"4.Cleaning out the barn10"5.Splitting and carrying in wood (12 hours' supply)10"6.Turning cream separator10"7.Cleaning a horse10"8.Gathering eggs10"9.Feeding chickens5"10.Feeding pigs5"11.Feeding horse5"12.Feeding cow5"13.Churning butter10"14.Making butter10"15.Blacking stove5"16.Making and baking bread60"17.Making biscuits10"18.Preparing breakfast for family30"19.Preparing supper for family30"20.Washing and wiping dishes (one meal)15"21.Sweeping floor5"22.Dusting furniture (rugs, etc., one room)5"23.Scrubbing floor20"24.Making beds (must be made after school), each bed5"25.Washing, ironing, and starching own clothes that are worn at school (each week)120"26.Bathing each week30"27.Arriving at school with clean hands, face, teeth, and nails, and with hair combed10"28.Practicing music lesson (for 30 minutes)10"29.Retiring on or before 9 o'clock5"30.Bathing and dressing baby10"31.Sleeping with window boards in bedroom (each night)5"32.Other work not listed, reasonable credit

While it is sometimes more convenient to have printed record slips, it is not necessary. Mr. O'Reilly carried on the grading by having each child write out his home credit work on ordinary tablet paper. The great majority of home credit schools have used the plan in 1914 without any printing whatever. It affords the children practice in written expression.

I give here two sample slips brought in by Mr. O'Reilly's pupils in the first home credit contest in the United States.

Tora Mortensen

Jan. 31, 1912.

Prepared supper30Washed and wiped supper dishes15Made 3 beds15Swept 1 floor5Washed teeth10Was in bed at 9 o'clock5——Total1 hr. 20 min.

(Signed)Mrs. Emma Savage.

La Vern Holdredge

April 16, 1912.Fed chickens5minutesGathered eggs15"Split kindling10"Carried in wood15"Swept four floors20"Fed one horse5"Dried dishes15"In bed before nine5"April 17, 1912.Washed teeth.10minutesSwept three floors15"Put up lunch10"———Total125minutes

(Signed)Mrs. Holdredge.

Superintendent A. R. Mack, of Holton, Kansas, has issued the following plan for daily reports and the issue of credit vouchers monthly, in bulletin form. Notice that the pupil who is paid in money, or in any other way, for home work receives no credit. This card gives a very desirable emphasis to manners and personal care:—

Rules

1. No pupil is obliged to enter contest.

2. Any pupil entering is free to quit at any time, but if any one quits without good cause, allcredits he or she may have earned will be forfeited.

3. Parent or guardian must send daily to the teacher an itemized list with signature attached; this list must contain the record of the work each child has done daily.

4. At the end of each week the teacher may read the number of credits due the pupil for that week. At the end of each month the teacher shall issue a credit voucher to the pupil giving the total number of credits due to the pupil up to date, for home work.

5. The pupil in each grade making the highest number of credits each month will receive an added credit of 10 per cent of all credits due.

6. The school shall be divided into two divisions. The boy and the girl in each division in each building receiving the highest number of credits at the end of each half-year shall be awarded a suitable medal.

7. The boy and the girl in each division in each building receiving the second highest number of credits shall at their own option be awarded a medal or an additional 10 per cent of credits already due.

8. Ten per cent credit will be added to final examination results of all pupils who enter this contest before November 1, and continue in it until the end of the year. Those entering school after November 1 must enter contest before January 1, in order to receive examination credit.

9. Pupils entering the contest before November 1 or January 1 will be given credit not only onfinal examination grades, but on monthly examination grades.

10. In case a pupil enters the contest after November 1 or January 1, credits for home work will apply on monthly examination grades only.

The following schedule has been adopted:

Grades of 95 to 100, additional credit of half the amount between the grade and 100.Grades of 90 to 95, a credit of 3 is given.Grades of 85 to 90, a credit of 2 is given.Grades of 80 to 85, a credit of 1 is given.Below 80, no credit.

Grades of 95 to 100, additional credit of half the amount between the grade and 100.

Grades of 90 to 95, a credit of 3 is given.

Grades of 85 to 90, a credit of 2 is given.

Grades of 80 to 85, a credit of 1 is given.

Below 80, no credit.

11. Any pupil in the first three grades earning 600 credits during a given month may have a quarter holiday. Pupils in the fourth grade must make 700 credits; pupils in the fifth grade must make 800 credits; pupils in the sixth grade must make 900 credits; pupils in the seventh and eighth grades must make 1000 credits for a quarter holiday.

All holidays are at the discretion of the teacher;provided, that the pupil may not have more than one quarter holiday in any 20 days, andprovided, that the teacher thinks that it will not interfere with school work.

In case deportment is below 90 per cent, the holiday will be refused.

12. Forfeitures—

(a) Dropping out of contest without cause forfeits all credits due.(b) Unexcused absence forfeits all credits due.(c) Tardiness forfeits 25 per cent of all credits due.(d) Less than 90 per cent in deportment in one month forfeits 10 per cent of all credits due.(e) Loss of temper forfeits 5 credits.(f) Bad table manners forfeit 5 credits.(g) Impoliteness to elders forfeits 5 credits.(h) Bad language at home forfeits 5 credits.(i) Discourtesy to parents forfeits 10 credits.(j) Unnecessarily soiling clothes forfeits 5 credits.(k) Unnecessarily tearing clothes forfeits 5 credits.(l) Report cards kept home 3 days forfeits 5 per cent credits and an additional 5 credits for each succeeding day.(m) Forgetting books forfeits 5 credits per book.

(a) Dropping out of contest without cause forfeits all credits due.

(b) Unexcused absence forfeits all credits due.

(d) Less than 90 per cent in deportment in one month forfeits 10 per cent of all credits due.

(e) Loss of temper forfeits 5 credits.

(f) Bad table manners forfeit 5 credits.

(g) Impoliteness to elders forfeits 5 credits.

(h) Bad language at home forfeits 5 credits.

(i) Discourtesy to parents forfeits 10 credits.

(j) Unnecessarily soiling clothes forfeits 5 credits.

(k) Unnecessarily tearing clothes forfeits 5 credits.

(l) Report cards kept home 3 days forfeits 5 per cent credits and an additional 5 credits for each succeeding day.

(m) Forgetting books forfeits 5 credits per book.

13. Once each month the names of the six pupils who are in the lead will be published in the Holton papers.

14. A pupil who receives compensation for work done, whether he is paid in money or in any other way, shall receive no school credit for such work.

Credit Slip for Primary to Third Grades, inclusive

Credits.1.Carrying in cobs or kindling52.Carrying in night wood for kitchen stove103.Feeding and watering chickens54.Dusting one room55.Making one bed56.Wiping dishes57.Washing dishes108.Setting table59.Cleaning teeth510.Combing hair511.Properly preparing for school (washing face, ears, neck, hands; cleaning teeth and finger nails)2012.Dressing without help, buttoning shoes, etc513.Going to bed at or before 9 P.M.514.Sleeping with window open each night515.Dressing younger child and washing its face516.Caring for younger children half-hour1517.Proper use of handkerchief one day518.Cleaning mud or snow from feet519.Practicing music lesson 30 minutes1520.Cleaning snow from porch521.Cleaning snow from walks inside yard, each walk522.Scrubbing porch523.Mending stockings, per pair524.Filling the water bucket525.Returning report card on first day1026.Returning report card on second day527.Polishing the shoes1028.Getting home before 4.30 and remaining home 30 minutes15Other work not listed, reasonable credit.

Credit Slip for Fourth to Eighth Grades, inclusive

Credits.1.Building a fire in morning52.Milking a cow53.Cleaning out a barn104.Splitting and carrying in wood, 12 hours' supply155.Bringing in kindling56.Bringing in coal, per bucket57.Filling water bucket58.Cleaning a horse109.Feeding and watering chickens510.Feeding pigs511.Feeding horse512.Feeding cow513.Blacking stove514.Making and baking bread6015.Making biscuits1016.Preparing breakfast for family3017.Preparing supper for family3018.Washing and wiping dishes, one meal1519.Sweeping one room520.Dusting one room521.Making one bed522.Scrubbing one floor2023.Making a cake2024.Practicing music lesson half-hour1525.Tending flowers in window1026.Working in garden half-hour1527.Cleaning snow from sidewalk2528.Mending stockings, per pair529.Washing, starching and ironing own school clothes each week6030.Bathing (each bath)3031.Cleaning teeth532.Combing hair533.Properly preparing for school (washing face, ears, neck, hands; cleaning teeth and finger nails)2034.Retiring at or before 9 P.M535.Getting up at or before 7 A.M536.Bathing and dressing baby1037.Sleeping with window open each night538.Dressing younger child, washing its face, etc.539.Caring for younger child, each half-hour1540.Home study, each half-hour1041.Making pies, 10 credits for the first and 5 credits for each additional pie.42.Ironing one hour3043.Running washing machine one hour3044.Bringing cow from pasture, 2 or 3 blocks545.Bringing cow from pasture, 8 or 9 blocks1546.Errands down town1047.Carrying clothes1048.Helping prepare the meal1049.Pumping a tank of water6050.Harrowing 2 hours6051.Carrying dinner1052.Churning2053.Dressing a chicken2554.Returning report cards on first day1055.Returning report cards on second day556.Polishing the shoes1057.Getting home before 4.30 and remaining home 30 minutes15Other work not listed, reasonable credit.

General Rule

For unlisted work credit will be given. One credit will be given for every two minutes' work.

Mr. N. V. Rowe, the teacher at St. John, Whitman County, Washington, describes a novel plan:—

At first I used a credit card arranged after the order of a meal ticket. The plan was to have the card hold credits enough for one school day of 360 minutes, arranged by 5's, 10's, 15's, 20's, 25's, and 30's. The idea is all right were it amplified so as to include a school week. The teacher has a punch, and punches or cancels credits as presented. I found this took too many cards for each pupil.Some brought in as high as 360 minutes in credits each day, and even more than that in some cases. At present I am using a plan similar to a grocer's manifolding or duplicating book where totals are forwarded each day. This saves time and in some ways is better than the ticket plan.The results have certainly justified the effort here. (1) It lessens tardiness; (2) it enlists the attention of parents quicker than anything else; (3) it stimulates to better work in school; (4) it creates a wholesome rivalry. I have heard the following objections to it: It requires too much time of a teacher already very busy; and pupils get a holiday when they ought to be at their studies. These objections are weak. The plan certainly has a sound pedagogic principle for its foundation.The children get but one holiday a month. In case a pupil is ill or necessarily absent for a day, it is very convenient to allow that as a holiday. This helps the attendance record wonderfully, and is perfectly legitimate, so far as I can see. We have been doing that way all the present year. Bear in mind, we allow such as a holiday only when one has not been allowed already for that particular month. In the register I mark the initial "H" wherever a holiday is granted, and in this way I keep tab.

The results have certainly justified the effort here. (1) It lessens tardiness; (2) it enlists the attention of parents quicker than anything else; (3) it stimulates to better work in school; (4) it creates a wholesome rivalry. I have heard the following objections to it: It requires too much time of a teacher already very busy; and pupils get a holiday when they ought to be at their studies. These objections are weak. The plan certainly has a sound pedagogic principle for its foundation.

The children get but one holiday a month. In case a pupil is ill or necessarily absent for a day, it is very convenient to allow that as a holiday. This helps the attendance record wonderfully, and is perfectly legitimate, so far as I can see. We have been doing that way all the present year. Bear in mind, we allow such as a holiday only when one has not been allowed already for that particular month. In the register I mark the initial "H" wherever a holiday is granted, and in this way I keep tab.

At Burnt Ridge, near Alpha, Washington, in Mrs. Venona E. Toman's school, a postal-card photograph is given as a little reward of merit for each 1000 credits earned. Fivecredits are taken off for coming to school with neck and ears not clean. One hundred and twenty credits are given to the child who washes, starches, and irons her school clothes for the week. Practicing music and studying lessons get ten credits for half an hour; but hard work, like sawing wood and making a garden, gets one credit for each two minutes.

The following is an excerpt from a letter from the Burnt Ridge teacher:—

I have the children keep their own records, telling them that I want them to learn to do their own business. Then their mothers look over and sign their reports. Without one exception the parents are pleased with the plan. The mothers tell me that the children hurry to get all done they possibly can before school time, as they want their credits to increase. One mother said there was more trouble now between her two girls because neither onewanted helpthan there was beforewhen they wanted help. I require that the work be done cheerfully. One mother said she believed her daughters sang about their work many times when they did not feel a bit like it. I notice myself, and others tell me that it is making a difference in the homes. I think this one of the best features that has been added to the school work. It teaches independence, thoughtfulness, and thrift.

MORNING AND EVENING RECORD, WEEKLY REPORT

Marion County, Oregon, uses a card issued by Superintendent W. M. Smith, which provides for a record of daily morning and evening home tasks, and a weekly report.

This county forms an object lesson in the correct presentation of a subject of this kind. Superintendent Smith first picked out a teacher that he knew had initiative and was able to carry her people with her. He explained the matter to her in detail and kept in close touch with her work. Her success was so pronounced that he thought that it was not necessary to make much effort to extend the plan into the surrounding districts; he knew it would spread of itself. And it did; like a prairie fire, he found it leaping over districts and catching in others, until now it is widely used in the county. The card is the result of much experience and a few conferences with some of Mr. Smith's best people.

Notice that honesty of record is emphasized; also observe the details of dairy work and the care of horses:—

creditHome Credit BlankSchool........... Dis't No..... Teacher...............Name........................... Age.......... Grade.....Object: To secure the cooperation of the Home and the School...Day of ... 191..CreditsMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridayTotalforeach.a.m.p.m.a.m.p.m.a.m.p.m.a.m.p.m.a.m.p.m.1.Bath5...............................................2.Teeth cleaned1...............................................3.No. loaves of bread baked15...............................................4.No. of cakes baked10...............................................5.No. of meals prepared (alone)15...............................................6.Wiped dishes (all for one meal)5...............................................7.Washed dishes (all for one meal)5...............................................8.Set the table2...............................................9.Gathered up dishes2...............................................10.Churning butter10...............................................11.Making butter10...............................................12.No. of rooms swept2...............................................13.No. of rooms dusted2...............................................14.No. of beds made2...............................................15.Blacking stove5...............................................16.Gathering the eggs2...............................................17.Carried in the wood2...............................................18.No. of fires built2...............................................19.Split the wood3...............................................20.Fed the chickens2...............................................21.Fed the pigs2...............................................22.No. of horses fed grain1...............................................23.No. horses hayed1...............................................24.No. horses watered1...............................................25.No. horses bedded1...............................................26.No. cows milked5...............................................27.No. cows bedded1...............................................28.No. cow stalls cleaned1...............................................29.No. of horse stalls cleaned1...............................................TOTAL..........Reasonable credit may be given for other work. When the answer is Yes or No asin 8 and 9, etc., write 1 for yes and leave blank for no.Parent:—As one who insists upon absolute honesty being taught, my signaturebelow certifies that to the best of my knowledge this report is correct......................Parent.

Home Credit BlankSchool........... Dis't No..... Teacher...............Name........................... Age.......... Grade.....Object: To secure the cooperation of the Home and the School...Day of ... 191..CreditsMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridayTotalforeach.a.m.p.m.a.m.p.m.a.m.p.m.a.m.p.m.a.m.p.m.1.Bath5...............................................2.Teeth cleaned1...............................................3.No. loaves of bread baked15...............................................4.No. of cakes baked10...............................................5.No. of meals prepared (alone)15...............................................6.Wiped dishes (all for one meal)5...............................................7.Washed dishes (all for one meal)5...............................................8.Set the table2...............................................9.Gathered up dishes2...............................................10.Churning butter10...............................................11.Making butter10...............................................12.No. of rooms swept2...............................................13.No. of rooms dusted2...............................................14.No. of beds made2...............................................15.Blacking stove5...............................................16.Gathering the eggs2...............................................17.Carried in the wood2...............................................18.No. of fires built2...............................................19.Split the wood3...............................................20.Fed the chickens2...............................................21.Fed the pigs2...............................................22.No. of horses fed grain1...............................................23.No. horses hayed1...............................................24.No. horses watered1...............................................25.No. horses bedded1...............................................26.No. cows milked5...............................................27.No. cows bedded1...............................................28.No. cow stalls cleaned1...............................................29.No. of horse stalls cleaned1...............................................TOTAL..........Reasonable credit may be given for other work. When the answer is Yes or No asin 8 and 9, etc., write 1 for yes and leave blank for no.Parent:—As one who insists upon absolute honesty being taught, my signaturebelow certifies that to the best of my knowledge this report is correct......................Parent.

Home Credit BlankSchool........... Dis't No..... Teacher...............Name........................... Age.......... Grade.....Object: To secure the cooperation of the Home and the School

...Day of ... 191..CreditsMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridayTotalforeach.a.m.p.m.a.m.p.m.a.m.p.m.a.m.p.m.a.m.p.m.1.Bath5...............................................2.Teeth cleaned1...............................................3.No. loaves of bread baked15...............................................4.No. of cakes baked10...............................................5.No. of meals prepared (alone)15...............................................6.Wiped dishes (all for one meal)5...............................................7.Washed dishes (all for one meal)5...............................................8.Set the table2...............................................9.Gathered up dishes2...............................................10.Churning butter10...............................................11.Making butter10...............................................12.No. of rooms swept2...............................................13.No. of rooms dusted2...............................................14.No. of beds made2...............................................15.Blacking stove5...............................................16.Gathering the eggs2...............................................17.Carried in the wood2...............................................18.No. of fires built2...............................................19.Split the wood3...............................................20.Fed the chickens2...............................................21.Fed the pigs2...............................................22.No. of horses fed grain1...............................................23.No. horses hayed1...............................................24.No. horses watered1...............................................25.No. horses bedded1...............................................26.No. cows milked5...............................................27.No. cows bedded1...............................................28.No. cow stalls cleaned1...............................................29.No. of horse stalls cleaned1...............................................TOTAL..........

Reasonable credit may be given for other work. When the answer is Yes or No asin 8 and 9, etc., write 1 for yes and leave blank for no.Parent:—As one who insists upon absolute honesty being taught, my signaturebelow certifies that to the best of my knowledge this report is correct.

.....................Parent.

Oscar. L. Dunlap, principal of the school at Salem Heights, Marion County, gives the following explanation of the way home credits were recognized in his school the first year:—

The first month we gave cash prizes; then this was abandoned and we allowed 20 per cent to be added to each of any two subjects, and 10 per cent to any one subject in the monthly tests. We give twelve questions (answer any ten) and those having 20 per cent allowance need answer only eight questions, and so on. In my room the pupils work harder to earn the 20 per cent allowance than they did to earn the cash prizes; for in this way every one receives a prize. Some think this is a wrong way to give rewards. I was myself in doubt at first; but my pupils have actually worked harder during the past two months than during the six months before we adopted this plan.

DAILY RECORDS, WEEKLY REPORTS

In Spokane County, Washington, one hundred and thirteen teachers have used home credits during the school year of 1913-14. Superintendent E. G. McFarland became interested in the work that one of his rural teachers started on home credits at the opening of the schools in the fall of 1913. Mr. McFarland obtained what information he could on the subject, and then worked out aplan. This made provision for a daily record for five days, and a weekly report. At his institute he presented the project to his teachers, and in January some eighty-one began the work. Others soon followed.

potatoO. H. BENSON POTATO CLUB, MORAN, SPOKANE COUNTY, WASHINGTONThe members are receiving school credits for club work carried out regularly. The president is "talking potatoes" to the members of the club

O. H. BENSON POTATO CLUB, MORAN, SPOKANE COUNTY, WASHINGTONThe members are receiving school credits for club work carried out regularly. The president is "talking potatoes" to the members of the club

O. H. BENSON POTATO CLUB, MORAN, SPOKANE COUNTY, WASHINGTON

The members are receiving school credits for club work carried out regularly. The president is "talking potatoes" to the members of the club

The Spokane Chamber of Commerce sent out a story of Spokane County's home credits to eight hundred and fifty of its correspondents in the United States and Canada. For a while the superintendent's office was flooded with letters of inquiry relative to the plan. This shows the great interest taken everywhere in any movement calculated to better the child's school and home relationship.

At a parent-teachers' meeting in Spokane a committee was appointed to assist the principal of one of the schools in keeping the children off the streets. At that time it was arranged that credit at school should be given to all children off the streets after six o'clock, and to those who did not go to evening parties.

Below is the Spokane County plan.

Bulletin for Teachers: Home Credits

The following are the rules and reward offered for home work. This work is to be done during theschool week. No one is compelled to enter this contest and the pupil may drop out at any time.

All work must be voluntary on the part of the pupil. Parents are requested not to sign papers for pupils if the work is not voluntarily and cheerfully done.

The rewards for this work are:—

One half-holiday each month to the child who has earned one hundred or more home credits, and has not been absent or tardy for the month; also

5 per cent will be added to his final examination. The pupil who earns one hundred or more credits each month but fails in perfect attendance will have the 5 per cent added to his final examination.

In addition, the board of directors may offer a prize to the pupil in each grade who shall have the greatest amount of home credits, and shall be neither absent nor tardy during the term, or from the adoption of these rules.

List of Home Credits

Personal cleanliness2Retiring before 9 o'clock1Cleaning teeth1Feeding and watering horses1Practicing music lesson2Feeding and watering cows1Dressing baby1Feeding and watering hogs1Washing dishes1Gathering eggs1Sweeping floor1Cleaning chicken house1Making bed1Going for mail1Preparing meal2Picking apples2Making a cake1Picking potatoes2Making biscuits1Bringing in wood for to-day1Churning2Splitting wood for to-day1Scrubbing floor2Bringing in water for to-day1Dusting1Grooming horse1Blacking stove1Milking cow1Darning stockings1Working in field2Delivering papers2Going for milk1

E. G. Mcfarland,County Superintendent of Schools.

The following statement is made by Superintendent McFarland as to the effect home credits had on attendance in 1913-14:—

We attribute the increase in our attendance this year in the schools of Spokane County, outside the city of Spokane, largely to the Home Credit System and our certificates for perfect attendance. While the enrollment was 108 less than last year, yet our attendance was 16,712 days more. At the present rate of 16 cents per day, the pupils earned for the county, from the State appropriation, nearly $2700 more than last year. With the same enrollment as last year the increase of apportionment would have reached approximately $6000.

The credit slip for the school week provides for a daily record of "chores or work done" from Monday to Friday inclusive. It does not contain a stated list of duties; the blanks are to be filled in by the child. The list of home credits is furnished each district, but the teacher uses her judgment in allowing credit for any chore peculiar to her locality. On page 92 is given one of these blanks with the work itemized. Note the evidence of cooperation between Jessie and her mother. On the mornings when Jessie gets the breakfast her mother dresses the baby, andvice versa.

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