jonesHome Credit WorkDist. No.......Name, Jessie Jones.Age 12. Grade 6th.Chores or work doneMon.Tues.Wed.Thur.Fri.Washing dishes111......Sweeping floor......111Making cake1............Making bed11111Cleaning teeth11111Dressing baby...1...11Getting breakfast1...1......Music lessons......2......Making biscuit............1——————————Total for week54745(Signed)Mrs. Mary A. Jones,Parent's Signature.
Home Credit WorkDist. No.......Name, Jessie Jones.Age 12. Grade 6th.Chores or work doneMon.Tues.Wed.Thur.Fri.Washing dishes111......Sweeping floor......111Making cake1............Making bed11111Cleaning teeth11111Dressing baby...1...11Getting breakfast1...1......Music lessons......2......Making biscuit............1——————————Total for week54745(Signed)Mrs. Mary A. Jones,Parent's Signature.
Home Credit WorkDist. No.......Name, Jessie Jones.Age 12. Grade 6th.
Chores or work doneMon.Tues.Wed.Thur.Fri.Washing dishes111......Sweeping floor......111Making cake1............Making bed11111Cleaning teeth11111Dressing baby...1...11Getting breakfast1...1......Music lessons......2......Making biscuit............1——————————Total for week54745
(Signed)Mrs. Mary A. Jones,Parent's Signature.
Here is a letter from a little girl who earns home credits in a grown-up way:—
Cheney, Washington.April 27, 1914.
Dear Mrs. Thomason:
I am nine years old, and in the fourth grade. I think I will pass into the fifth grade. I like to go to school. My teacher is Miss Grier. I like her. We get Home Credits in our school.
I haven't any pets, but I have a little sister and a little brother. They are twins, and were born on my birthday, June 11. Their names are Ruthand Millard. They are awfully sweet and good, and I like them a good deal better than pets. I get credit at school for taking care of them.
Your little friend,Clara Louise Peterson.
Report of Clara Louise for week endingMay 1, 1914:—
claraHome Credit WorkDist. No. 18.Name, Clara Louise Peterson. Age 9. Grade 4th.Chores or work doneMon.Tues.Wed.Thur.Fri.Personal cleanliness22222Cleaning teeth12222Wiping dishes11112Caring for baby11212Carrying Water....1111Sweeping floor....231....Gathering eggs11111Going for mail1................Making beds....2343Churning....1....1....Setting table....1111Retiring before nine o'clock11111____________________Total for week815171615(Signed)Mrs. J. C. Peterson,Parent's Signature.
Home Credit WorkDist. No. 18.Name, Clara Louise Peterson. Age 9. Grade 4th.Chores or work doneMon.Tues.Wed.Thur.Fri.Personal cleanliness22222Cleaning teeth12222Wiping dishes11112Caring for baby11212Carrying Water....1111Sweeping floor....231....Gathering eggs11111Going for mail1................Making beds....2343Churning....1....1....Setting table....1111Retiring before nine o'clock11111____________________Total for week815171615(Signed)Mrs. J. C. Peterson,Parent's Signature.
Home Credit Work
Dist. No. 18.
Name, Clara Louise Peterson. Age 9. Grade 4th.
Chores or work doneMon.Tues.Wed.Thur.Fri.Personal cleanliness22222Cleaning teeth12222Wiping dishes11112Caring for baby11212Carrying Water....1111Sweeping floor....231....Gathering eggs11111Going for mail1................Making beds....2343Churning....1....1....Setting table....1111Retiring before nine o'clock11111____________________Total for week815171615
(Signed)Mrs. J. C. Peterson,Parent's Signature.
Superintendent McFarland has received many letters of appreciation from teachers and parents in his county. One teacher writes:—
The system helps, in bringing the school and home closer together by letting the parents see that we count the practical duties of the house and of the farm of actual value in the training of the child.One father is encouraging his three boys to earn more than the required home credits by paying them a small sum of money for each additional five credits.
The system helps, in bringing the school and home closer together by letting the parents see that we count the practical duties of the house and of the farm of actual value in the training of the child.
One father is encouraging his three boys to earn more than the required home credits by paying them a small sum of money for each additional five credits.
Another writes:—
The teachers have noted many cases of much improved personal cleanliness, which in itself has been a welcome reward. Then, you know, improved morals go hand in hand with clean bodies. We are taking into account the fact that cleanliness on the part of one child usually forces another to clean up on account of the inevitable contrast.
The teachers have noted many cases of much improved personal cleanliness, which in itself has been a welcome reward. Then, you know, improved morals go hand in hand with clean bodies. We are taking into account the fact that cleanliness on the part of one child usually forces another to clean up on account of the inevitable contrast.
A parent writes:—
The home credit system is to my mind one of the most practical features that has been introduced into the public-school curriculum for some time. It teaches the children self-reliance, and encourages them to take the initiative when heretofore they have been indifferent or careless. Its practical help to the parents is inestimable, aschildren in pursuit of "credits" take innumerable burdens from the parents' shoulders.
The home credit system is to my mind one of the most practical features that has been introduced into the public-school curriculum for some time. It teaches the children self-reliance, and encourages them to take the initiative when heretofore they have been indifferent or careless. Its practical help to the parents is inestimable, aschildren in pursuit of "credits" take innumerable burdens from the parents' shoulders.
This from another parent:—
Regarding the home credit system of the public school, my sentiment as the parent of two boys attending school is that it is working fine. It makes my boys ambitious to earn as many credits as possible, and this system as laid out leads them to take interest in the practical duties of their home, thereby saving parents many a step, and training the boys for useful work. The home credit system also stimulates punctuality in attending school as well as personal neatness, and regular habits in going to bed at the right time.It seems to me that this credit system to a great extent completes the purpose of the public school.
Regarding the home credit system of the public school, my sentiment as the parent of two boys attending school is that it is working fine. It makes my boys ambitious to earn as many credits as possible, and this system as laid out leads them to take interest in the practical duties of their home, thereby saving parents many a step, and training the boys for useful work. The home credit system also stimulates punctuality in attending school as well as personal neatness, and regular habits in going to bed at the right time.It seems to me that this credit system to a great extent completes the purpose of the public school.
One teacher in Spokane County has solved the problem of the rural janitor with home credits. Like thousands of other girls teaching in country schools, she had difficulty in keeping the schoolhouse clean. Beginning in January she offered school credit for outside work, and she included in her list the care of the schoolhouse. She reports that the room is kept perfectly now. The floors are swept, the woodwork dusted, the blackboards and erasers cleaned, water and wood supplied. This same teacher, Miss Lizzie K. Merritt, says:—
It is not pleasant to work without appreciation. We all know that we make a short job of the unappreciated piece of work. We cannot expect a child to stay with a thing as long as an older person unless he sees a definite reward. I have found that home credits teach observation, accuracy, and punctuality.
It is not pleasant to work without appreciation. We all know that we make a short job of the unappreciated piece of work. We cannot expect a child to stay with a thing as long as an older person unless he sees a definite reward. I have found that home credits teach observation, accuracy, and punctuality.
The following is an excerpt from a circular sent out by Mr. Harry F. Heath, principal of the school at Eveline, Lewis County, Washington, at the beginning of a home credit contest, stating his plan. This makes provision for a daily record for six days, a weekly report, and a voucher:—
Eveline Public SchoolEveline, Wash., January 5, 1914.Dear Patron:—Sometimes, in the rush of classes, we of the school forget about the home life of the scholar. And many times you of the home know but little of what is going on at school. In order to connect more closely for the pupil the influences of both home and school, I am planning this contest in home work for the next four months.In order that the contest may be successful, we ask the sympathy and aid of each parent. The parent is the judge of the amount of work done by the pupil, and upon the parent we depend for the accuracy of the reports. Have the pupil prepare his or her own list of duties performed, readyfor your signature, and make it your duty to see that the lists are accurate at all times, neither more nor less than the actual amount performed. All lists should be dated, and none will be accepted unless signed by you.The prizes will not be expensive, and will be given only as tokens of award. The real awards will be realized during the course of the contest as set forth by the rules.
Eveline Public School
Eveline, Wash., January 5, 1914.
Dear Patron:—
Sometimes, in the rush of classes, we of the school forget about the home life of the scholar. And many times you of the home know but little of what is going on at school. In order to connect more closely for the pupil the influences of both home and school, I am planning this contest in home work for the next four months.
In order that the contest may be successful, we ask the sympathy and aid of each parent. The parent is the judge of the amount of work done by the pupil, and upon the parent we depend for the accuracy of the reports. Have the pupil prepare his or her own list of duties performed, readyfor your signature, and make it your duty to see that the lists are accurate at all times, neither more nor less than the actual amount performed. All lists should be dated, and none will be accepted unless signed by you.
The prizes will not be expensive, and will be given only as tokens of award. The real awards will be realized during the course of the contest as set forth by the rules.
Then follows the list of credits and the rules.
A letter from Mr. Heath dated April 21, 1914, tells the way in which he carried on the work this year. Mr. Heath says:—
In answer to your request for information about our home credits contest, I am sending some of the circulars which I used at the beginning, and also some vouchers made by the pupils which I use to give out weekly credits. I am also sending some sample slips of credits brought in by some of the pupils. These slips show credits for an entire week, which has proved to be the most satisfactory way to have the slips kept. A notebook kept by me of the weekly and monthly totals, as well as the holidays granted and forfeitures assessed, is all of the record that our system has required.Two progressive business men of Chehalis are furnishing inexpensive prizes in the form of books to go to the seven leaders in the contest at its close. Four of the prizes will probably go to boys, but by the rules at least three are to go to girls. I findin this community that the boys have much more opportunity to earn credits than the girls. Hence the rule.The contest has run for four months and is closing this week. It has been very well received in the community, a number of suggestions having come in from parents in the way of additional credits. One was a request that credits be given for daily reading of the Bible, and the change was made. In my room, which is the highest in our two-room school, practically all of the scholars started, and of the thirty-four at that time in the contest about twenty-five are still enrolled, and the percentage would be larger if some of the beginners had not moved away.The contest was tried for a while in the lower grades but was not successful there. We limited the points that might be added to the general average to six in any one month, and most of the live contestants got their six every month.I got my ideas of the contest directly from Mr. Alderman's article, which I found in some paper. It has been on the whole very successful, and worth while. When I try this sort of work again, it will be on the plan of regular credits, not in contest form. I believe the Spokane County plan as used this spring is one that would prove very satisfactory.
In answer to your request for information about our home credits contest, I am sending some of the circulars which I used at the beginning, and also some vouchers made by the pupils which I use to give out weekly credits. I am also sending some sample slips of credits brought in by some of the pupils. These slips show credits for an entire week, which has proved to be the most satisfactory way to have the slips kept. A notebook kept by me of the weekly and monthly totals, as well as the holidays granted and forfeitures assessed, is all of the record that our system has required.
Two progressive business men of Chehalis are furnishing inexpensive prizes in the form of books to go to the seven leaders in the contest at its close. Four of the prizes will probably go to boys, but by the rules at least three are to go to girls. I findin this community that the boys have much more opportunity to earn credits than the girls. Hence the rule.
The contest has run for four months and is closing this week. It has been very well received in the community, a number of suggestions having come in from parents in the way of additional credits. One was a request that credits be given for daily reading of the Bible, and the change was made. In my room, which is the highest in our two-room school, practically all of the scholars started, and of the thirty-four at that time in the contest about twenty-five are still enrolled, and the percentage would be larger if some of the beginners had not moved away.
The contest was tried for a while in the lower grades but was not successful there. We limited the points that might be added to the general average to six in any one month, and most of the live contestants got their six every month.
I got my ideas of the contest directly from Mr. Alderman's article, which I found in some paper. It has been on the whole very successful, and worth while. When I try this sort of work again, it will be on the plan of regular credits, not in contest form. I believe the Spokane County plan as used this spring is one that would prove very satisfactory.
The Eveline "voucher" plan gives the pupil something to watch for. The first paragraph of Mr. Heath's letter explains the use of these vouchers. Below are samplevouchers, and copies of slips made out by the pupils. The pupils rule the columns, and write out their own records, according to a published list which shows the value in minutes of each task. This work is good practice for the pupil in ruling lines and making neat cards, and it saves the cost of printing cards.
The vouchers, which are taken home, enable each pupil to have at home, as well as at school, a record of the total amount of his work.
vouchers
lemonHome CreditsAlberta LemonMarch 30-April 4.Mon.Tues.Wed.Thur.Fri.Sat.Slept with window open555555Cleaned teeth101010101010Swept floors15...105525Wiped dishes55............Washed separator...1515.........Made beds105101055Dusted rooms10...105...25Got supper30...............Wiped milk pails55............Peeled apples30......30......Made lunches......20.........Washed milk pails......10.........Washed dishes......5.........Retired at 9...5555...Mended garments...20............Studied1030...10...20Ironed garments......50...21575Helped with meal...101010......Went errands5...510...5Scrubbed...............40Took bath...............80————————————135110165100245290110...............165...............100...............245...............290...............——1045...............Mrs. A. C. Lemon.
Home CreditsAlberta LemonMarch 30-April 4.Mon.Tues.Wed.Thur.Fri.Sat.Slept with window open555555Cleaned teeth101010101010Swept floors15...105525Wiped dishes55............Washed separator...1515.........Made beds105101055Dusted rooms10...105...25Got supper30...............Wiped milk pails55............Peeled apples30......30......Made lunches......20.........Washed milk pails......10.........Washed dishes......5.........Retired at 9...5555...Mended garments...20............Studied1030...10...20Ironed garments......50...21575Helped with meal...101010......Went errands5...510...5Scrubbed...............40Took bath...............80————————————135110165100245290110...............165...............100...............245...............290...............——1045...............Mrs. A. C. Lemon.
Home CreditsAlberta LemonMarch 30-April 4.
Mon.Tues.Wed.Thur.Fri.Sat.Slept with window open555555Cleaned teeth101010101010Swept floors15...105525Wiped dishes55............Washed separator...1515.........Made beds105101055Dusted rooms10...105...25Got supper30...............Wiped milk pails55............Peeled apples30......30......Made lunches......20.........Washed milk pails......10.........Washed dishes......5.........Retired at 9...5555...Mended garments...20............Studied1030...10...20Ironed garments......50...21575Helped with meal...101010......Went errands5...510...5Scrubbed...............40Took bath...............80————————————135110165100245290110...............165...............100...............245...............290...............——1045...............
Mrs. A. C. Lemon.
rosaHome CreditsRosa C.67891011Made fires......5510...Preparing meals603030306060Set table1055101010Washed dishes51010101010Wiped dishes51010101010Washed milk pails202020202020Carried in water101010102020Turning separator102020202020Washing separator151515151530Fed pets101010101010Ironing clothes...35...100...400Making beds151010101010Cleaned my teeth555555Slept with window open555555Retired before nine555555Washed baby5555...5Dressed baby5...5...55Sweeping floors...............30————————————Total185195165270215655Total ... 1685Chas. F. Conradi.
Home CreditsRosa C.67891011Made fires......5510...Preparing meals603030306060Set table1055101010Washed dishes51010101010Wiped dishes51010101010Washed milk pails202020202020Carried in water101010102020Turning separator102020202020Washing separator151515151530Fed pets101010101010Ironing clothes...35...100...400Making beds151010101010Cleaned my teeth555555Slept with window open555555Retired before nine555555Washed baby5555...5Dressed baby5...5...55Sweeping floors...............30————————————Total185195165270215655Total ... 1685Chas. F. Conradi.
Home Credits
Rosa C.
67891011Made fires......5510...Preparing meals603030306060Set table1055101010Washed dishes51010101010Wiped dishes51010101010Washed milk pails202020202020Carried in water101010102020Turning separator102020202020Washing separator151515151530Fed pets101010101010Ironing clothes...35...100...400Making beds151010101010Cleaned my teeth555555Slept with window open555555Retired before nine555555Washed baby5555...5Dressed baby5...5...55Sweeping floors...............30————————————Total185195165270215655Total ... 1685
Chas. F. Conradi.
The Cowlitz County, Washington, plan is a daily record for seven days and a weekly report. The rules governing the work are printed on the back of the credit card:—
fowlerWork of Home RecordLavita Fowler[age 12]For week ending March 13, 1914.Sun.MonTues.Wed.Thur.Fri.Sat.——————————————Min.Min.Min.Min.Min.Min.Min.Total1.Work in garden.........30...60...902.Splitting and carrying in wood3.Milking........................4.Care of horses or cows........................5.Cleaning barn........................6.Care of poultry or pigs........................7.Turning separator........................8.Churning........................9.Sweeping or dusting25...203010...2010510.Washing or ironing........................11.Preparing meals...3060.........4013012.Washing dishes6055452030459034513.Bedroom work......3020.........5014.Sewing........................15.Caring for little children309060.........6024016.Building fires........................17.Bathing..................101018.Brushing teeth5......5......61619.Sleeping with open window101010101010107020.To bed by 9 o'clock101010101010107021.Attending Church or Sunday School10..................10Getting sister ready for school...1510151520...75Washing floors..................4040.....................160————————————————Total35353040354076451I certify that the above is a correct record.Mrs. Fowler,Signature of Parent or Guardian.
Work of Home RecordLavita Fowler[age 12]For week ending March 13, 1914.Sun.MonTues.Wed.Thur.Fri.Sat.——————————————Min.Min.Min.Min.Min.Min.Min.Total1.Work in garden.........30...60...902.Splitting and carrying in wood3.Milking........................4.Care of horses or cows........................5.Cleaning barn........................6.Care of poultry or pigs........................7.Turning separator........................8.Churning........................9.Sweeping or dusting25...203010...2010510.Washing or ironing........................11.Preparing meals...3060.........4013012.Washing dishes6055452030459034513.Bedroom work......3020.........5014.Sewing........................15.Caring for little children309060.........6024016.Building fires........................17.Bathing..................101018.Brushing teeth5......5......61619.Sleeping with open window101010101010107020.To bed by 9 o'clock101010101010107021.Attending Church or Sunday School10..................10Getting sister ready for school...1510151520...75Washing floors..................4040.....................160————————————————Total35353040354076451I certify that the above is a correct record.Mrs. Fowler,Signature of Parent or Guardian.
Work of Home Record
Lavita Fowler[age 12]
For week ending March 13, 1914.
Sun.MonTues.Wed.Thur.Fri.Sat.——————————————Min.Min.Min.Min.Min.Min.Min.Total1.Work in garden.........30...60...902.Splitting and carrying in wood3.Milking........................4.Care of horses or cows........................5.Cleaning barn........................6.Care of poultry or pigs........................7.Turning separator........................8.Churning........................9.Sweeping or dusting25...203010...2010510.Washing or ironing........................11.Preparing meals...3060.........4013012.Washing dishes6055452030459034513.Bedroom work......3020.........5014.Sewing........................15.Caring for little children309060.........6024016.Building fires........................17.Bathing..................101018.Brushing teeth5......5......61619.Sleeping with open window101010101010107020.To bed by 9 o'clock101010101010107021.Attending Church or Sunday School10..................10Getting sister ready for school...1510151520...75Washing floors..................4040.....................160————————————————Total35353040354076451
I certify that the above is a correct record.
Mrs. Fowler,Signature of Parent or Guardian.
Rules governing Credit for Home Work
ToParents or Guardians:—
The scheme of giving credit at school for work done at home by the pupils can be made successful only through your coöperation, and faithful report of the work done.Every Friday afternoon a Home Work Record Slip will be given each pupil. Beginning with Sunday all time spent by the pupils in home work should be entered in the proper place.Each Monday morning a slip filled in during theprevious week should be returned to the teacher. This slip must be signed by the parent or guardian.Extra work may be listed in the blank spaces.To secure credit at school for his work, the pupil should average eight hours a week, thirty-two hours a month, at real, honest, helpful labor that relieves the fathers and mothers of that amount of work. If this is done, the teacher will add three credits to the average gained by the pupil at the school during the month in his studies. Additional credits will be given for more than thirty-two hours a month at the rate of one credit for every ten hours' work.Please coöperate with your teacher in this plan for making work more worth while to the boy and girl.Lucia Jenkins,County Superintendent of Schools.
The scheme of giving credit at school for work done at home by the pupils can be made successful only through your coöperation, and faithful report of the work done.
Every Friday afternoon a Home Work Record Slip will be given each pupil. Beginning with Sunday all time spent by the pupils in home work should be entered in the proper place.
Each Monday morning a slip filled in during theprevious week should be returned to the teacher. This slip must be signed by the parent or guardian.
Extra work may be listed in the blank spaces.
To secure credit at school for his work, the pupil should average eight hours a week, thirty-two hours a month, at real, honest, helpful labor that relieves the fathers and mothers of that amount of work. If this is done, the teacher will add three credits to the average gained by the pupil at the school during the month in his studies. Additional credits will be given for more than thirty-two hours a month at the rate of one credit for every ten hours' work.
Please coöperate with your teacher in this plan for making work more worth while to the boy and girl.
Lucia Jenkins,County Superintendent of Schools.
In the District 61 School, near Bellingham, Washington, taught by Mrs. Lou Albee Maynard, there is used a system of having the home credit accounts kept by pupils; the children call it the Ruth and Grace System.
Here is a plan that solves the problem, if it is a problem, of putting extra work on the teacher through home credits. Not only is the teacher entirely relieved of the bookkeeping which the system requires, but the pupils are engaged in practical bookkeeping while theykeep the records. Checks are made out in regular bank-check form, and receipts are given.
The Ruth and Grace System is thus described in a neat account written by Emma Ames, a pupil in the sixth grade:—
Ruth and Grace were girls who wanted to learn bookkeeping. In order to give them a chance we took up the credit system.At the end of each week the girls give us a slip of paper ruled and ready to be made out. The mothers sign it. Each thing which we do counts so much. At the end of the week these slips are handed back to the girls, and we receive another. We also get a check telling how many credits we received the week before.When we make five thousand credits we then receive a composition book. Smaller things are also given for fewer credits.The girls keep in their ledgers each person's work. So if any mistake is made they will have something to refer to.We call the system the Ruth and Grace System.The prize list is as follows:—
Ruth and Grace were girls who wanted to learn bookkeeping. In order to give them a chance we took up the credit system.
At the end of each week the girls give us a slip of paper ruled and ready to be made out. The mothers sign it. Each thing which we do counts so much. At the end of the week these slips are handed back to the girls, and we receive another. We also get a check telling how many credits we received the week before.
When we make five thousand credits we then receive a composition book. Smaller things are also given for fewer credits.
The girls keep in their ledgers each person's work. So if any mistake is made they will have something to refer to.
We call the system the Ruth and Grace System.
The prize list is as follows:—
Washing dishes......................10credits.Wiping dishes.......................5"Sweeping............................5"Making beds.........................5"Baking bread........................15"Dusting.............................5"Scrubbing...........................25"Practicing music....................10"Brushing teeth......................5"Clean finger nails..................5"Splitting kindling..................10"Splitting wood......................10"Carrying water......................10"Milking cow.........................15"Feeding pigs........................5"Feeding chickens....................5"Feeding and bedding cows............25"Slashing one hour...................25"Getting a meal......................15"Taking charge of house..............50"Charge for father one day...........50"Building fires......................10"Sewing..............................15"Making an apron.....................15"Carrying wood.......................10"Washing.............................25"Ironing.............................25"
The following letter from Mrs. Maynard explains the system further:—
I have been requested to report on our plan for giving credit for home work as we have tried it. One of my pupils has written a report of our system which explains our methods nicely. This has been only a trial, but I am so pleased with results that I intend to use it whenever there are older pupils who can do the bookkeeping, for it represents a great deal of work, and unless the school is a very small one the system would add too much to the already busy teacher's work.The girls who are represented by our firm carried on the work on a strictly business basis. They bought the work of the pupils as represented by the weekly reports. This work was then sold tome at a gain of 20 per cent. The girls have worked out a simple system of double entry in six weeks. We, as a school, have spent an interesting and profitable time, keeping track of our work, and of their mistakes, and the various ups and downs of a business.We are planning a better schedule of wages, a bank in which to deposit our checks, and a store where the credits may be exchanged for little articles which represent the rewards; but this is all in the making, and may have to wait for another year, as our school term closes soon.This is a school whose average attendance is about sixteen. The people are progressive, and see that we have all modern appliances: gymnasium, school garden, bubbling fountain, sanitary toilets, and a good heating system are some of the good things our country school enjoys.
I have been requested to report on our plan for giving credit for home work as we have tried it. One of my pupils has written a report of our system which explains our methods nicely. This has been only a trial, but I am so pleased with results that I intend to use it whenever there are older pupils who can do the bookkeeping, for it represents a great deal of work, and unless the school is a very small one the system would add too much to the already busy teacher's work.
The girls who are represented by our firm carried on the work on a strictly business basis. They bought the work of the pupils as represented by the weekly reports. This work was then sold tome at a gain of 20 per cent. The girls have worked out a simple system of double entry in six weeks. We, as a school, have spent an interesting and profitable time, keeping track of our work, and of their mistakes, and the various ups and downs of a business.
We are planning a better schedule of wages, a bank in which to deposit our checks, and a store where the credits may be exchanged for little articles which represent the rewards; but this is all in the making, and may have to wait for another year, as our school term closes soon.
This is a school whose average attendance is about sixteen. The people are progressive, and see that we have all modern appliances: gymnasium, school garden, bubbling fountain, sanitary toilets, and a good heating system are some of the good things our country school enjoys.
Some original features are included in a plan in operation in Algona, King County, Washington. The Algona plan of grading is this: The actual number of minutes employed in doing the daily chores is registered. Thirty minutes is allowed for church attendance. Twenty-five per cent is given weekly for each of the personal care items, bathing, brushing teeth, sleeping with open windows, and going to bed before nine o'clock. Half an hour's work must be done each day, else the pupil forfeits the work done that day. If at the endof a month the pupil has made an average of 85 per cent on personal care, and has 85 per cent on home work, his grade average for the month is raised 10 per cent. For instance, if a boy should have the required 85 per cent in the home credit department, and should have an average of 80 per cent in his school subjects, his final grade for the month would be 88 per cent.
Algona uses a book system of keeping the pupils' weekly home credit grades. The principal records the final grades for each week, after collecting the cards from his three assistants. He expects to substitute the card system for the book another year, using the same plan of record. Below is given the plan for keeping the records, together with the work of one boy for a month:—
Leon Noel's Record in Book
Week endingMinutesPersonal careLeon NoelFebruary 2210100February 9210100February 1621097February 2321097
leonHome Work Record ofLeon Noel.For week ending February 21, 1914.Sun.Mon.Tues.Wed.Thur.Fri.Sat.Total———————Min.Min.Min.Min.Min.Min.Min.1.Working in garden........................2.Splitting kindlings15...1010101010653.Bringing in fuel5555555354.Milking cow........................5.Care of horse........................6.Preparing meals........................7.Washing dishes........................8.Sweeping........................9.Dusting........................10.Bedroom work........................11.Washing........................12.Ironing........................13.Care of baby........................14.Care of chickens15...20151515159515.Running errands...60............120180A.Bathing..................x...B.Brushing teethxxxxxxx...C.Sleeping with open windowsxxxxxxx...D.Going to bed before 9 o'clockxxxx...xx...E.Attending Church or Sunday School30..................30————————————————Total656535303030150405————————————————I certify that the above is a correct record.(Signed)Mrs. C. D. French,Signature of Parent or Guardian.
Home Work Record ofLeon Noel.For week ending February 21, 1914.Sun.Mon.Tues.Wed.Thur.Fri.Sat.Total———————Min.Min.Min.Min.Min.Min.Min.1.Working in garden........................2.Splitting kindlings15...1010101010653.Bringing in fuel5555555354.Milking cow........................5.Care of horse........................6.Preparing meals........................7.Washing dishes........................8.Sweeping........................9.Dusting........................10.Bedroom work........................11.Washing........................12.Ironing........................13.Care of baby........................14.Care of chickens15...20151515159515.Running errands...60............120180A.Bathing..................x...B.Brushing teethxxxxxxx...C.Sleeping with open windowsxxxxxxx...D.Going to bed before 9 o'clockxxxx...xx...E.Attending Church or Sunday School30..................30————————————————Total656535303030150405————————————————I certify that the above is a correct record.(Signed)Mrs. C. D. French,Signature of Parent or Guardian.
Home Work Record of
Leon Noel.
For week ending February 21, 1914.
Sun.Mon.Tues.Wed.Thur.Fri.Sat.Total———————Min.Min.Min.Min.Min.Min.Min.1.Working in garden........................2.Splitting kindlings15...1010101010653.Bringing in fuel5555555354.Milking cow........................5.Care of horse........................6.Preparing meals........................7.Washing dishes........................8.Sweeping........................9.Dusting........................10.Bedroom work........................11.Washing........................12.Ironing........................13.Care of baby........................14.Care of chickens15...20151515159515.Running errands...60............120180A.Bathing..................x...B.Brushing teethxxxxxxx...C.Sleeping with open windowsxxxxxxx...D.Going to bed before 9 o'clockxxxx...xx...E.Attending Church or Sunday School30..................30————————————————Total656535303030150405————————————————
I certify that the above is a correct record.
(Signed)Mrs. C. D. French,Signature of Parent or Guardian.
A comparison of Leon Noel's home credit record on his slip with the record in the principal's book shows that while he has 405 credits on the former he is credited with only the required 210 on the record. C. C. Calavan, the principal, expects to allow a holiday, or grant additional credit on school work another year, for credits above the half-hour a day. The children of the school at first insisted on making an hour's work the minimum for a day's credit, but Mr. Calavan decided to start conservatively. It will be noticed that Leon Noel lost three points in each of the last two weeks of February. This was because he was not in bed before nine every evening. Mr. Calavan says he is going to change his plan along this line next year, granting three or four evenings a month when a child may be in bed a little later than nine without forfeiting credits. He believes that a happy, wholesome evening, spent in play with companions, has a very valuable place in the child's development.
Sunday-school and church attendance has become popular in Algona since school credit has been given for it. The little daughter in anon-church-going family had never attended any church services until it was brought out that the other children at school were getting credit for such attendance. The parents dressed the little girl for Sunday school, and sent her off, determined that their child should not be left out in the home credit game.
A boy's record was perfect, except that he did not have a church attendance recorded. On inquiry the principal found that Albert's family was of the Seventh Day Adventist faith, and that the boy was at church as regularly as Saturday came. He was at once given credit. The children of the Catholic faith are given credit for attending the catechism class that meets in the schoolhouse Tuesday afternoons.
"The people took hold," said Mr. Calavan. "The Parent-Teachers' Association is enthusiastic over the plan, and is doing all possible to help. Two decided results that home credits have brought about are that we have a much neater, better-kept class of pupils, and our boys are off the streets. Several persons have remarked to me that the schoolwas doing something with the boys, surely, for they all seemed to be busy after school."
The system introduced in Portland, Oregon, schools, is the daily record and weekly report plan. The following suggestions were sent out early in 1914 by the Portland office:—
Suggestions for using the "Home Record Slip"The regular monthly report card should contain two extra columns, one entitled "Home Work" and one "Personal Care," and in these columns the pupil should be marked on the scale of 100.One hundred per cent in the "Home Work" column would be secured by a daily record of not less than one half-hour of approved work for seven days each week.One hundred per cent in the "Personal Care" column would be secured by daily practice of numbers A, B, C, and D for seven days of the week, and for attendance upon some religious service. Twenty per cent could be allowed for each number and twenty per cent for attendance at church or Sunday school.The matter of bathing should not be interpreted to refer strictly to tub baths, since in large families daily tub baths are sometimes impracticable, and inability to make a good showing on the card would have a tendency to discourage.Different plans of reward for a given number of minutes devoted to work during a week are outlinedin the pamphlet, "School Industrial Credit for Home Industrial Work." These, however, may be modified or enlarged to suit. All time, including the half-hour a day and the amount allowed for all other operations, should be counted toward a specified total necessary to earn the reward.
Suggestions for using the "Home Record Slip"
The regular monthly report card should contain two extra columns, one entitled "Home Work" and one "Personal Care," and in these columns the pupil should be marked on the scale of 100.
One hundred per cent in the "Home Work" column would be secured by a daily record of not less than one half-hour of approved work for seven days each week.
One hundred per cent in the "Personal Care" column would be secured by daily practice of numbers A, B, C, and D for seven days of the week, and for attendance upon some religious service. Twenty per cent could be allowed for each number and twenty per cent for attendance at church or Sunday school.
The matter of bathing should not be interpreted to refer strictly to tub baths, since in large families daily tub baths are sometimes impracticable, and inability to make a good showing on the card would have a tendency to discourage.
Different plans of reward for a given number of minutes devoted to work during a week are outlinedin the pamphlet, "School Industrial Credit for Home Industrial Work." These, however, may be modified or enlarged to suit. All time, including the half-hour a day and the amount allowed for all other operations, should be counted toward a specified total necessary to earn the reward.
These rules are printed on the back of each home credit record card:—
Rules governing Credit for Home WorkEvery Friday afternoon a home work record slip will be given to each pupil. Beginning with Sunday, all time spent by the pupil in home work should be entered in the proper space.Each Monday morning a slip filled during the previous week should be returned to the teacher. The slip must be signed by the parent or guardian as an assurance that a correct record has been kept.Any work not listed but of value to the parents may be counted, and the nature of the work specified in the blank spaces.At the close of the school month, when the report of school work is made out, in the column "Home Work," the pupil will be marked on the scale of 100 for actual work of not less than one half-hour each day, and in the column "Personal Care" on the scale of 100 for numbers A, B, C, and D, and for attendance at church or Sunday school.In addition to credit on the report card, reward may be given at the option of the principal for a specified amount of time spent in useful work at home.For purpose of reward credit of five minutes a day will be allowed for each operation listed as A, B, C, and D, and twenty minutes for attendance at church or Sunday school.
Rules governing Credit for Home Work
Every Friday afternoon a home work record slip will be given to each pupil. Beginning with Sunday, all time spent by the pupil in home work should be entered in the proper space.
Each Monday morning a slip filled during the previous week should be returned to the teacher. The slip must be signed by the parent or guardian as an assurance that a correct record has been kept.
Any work not listed but of value to the parents may be counted, and the nature of the work specified in the blank spaces.
At the close of the school month, when the report of school work is made out, in the column "Home Work," the pupil will be marked on the scale of 100 for actual work of not less than one half-hour each day, and in the column "Personal Care" on the scale of 100 for numbers A, B, C, and D, and for attendance at church or Sunday school.
In addition to credit on the report card, reward may be given at the option of the principal for a specified amount of time spent in useful work at home.
For purpose of reward credit of five minutes a day will be allowed for each operation listed as A, B, C, and D, and twenty minutes for attendance at church or Sunday school.
The Portland home work record slips are printed by the city office, and furnished to teachers who wish to use them. On pages 115, 117, and 119 are given home credit records of Portland children, showing the class of home work they are doing. A swift review of a child's record gives the teacher a pretty accurate estimate of his home environment.
Elsie G., whose card is shown, has kept weekly records of her work for more than a year. She and some of the other girls make it a practice to help Miss Wright, their teacher, enroll the records for the class. The method of crediting is extremely simple, but it seems to work. The pupils return the filled-out slips the first of every week; at the end of each month the girls count the slips, and for every pupil who has brought in four slips they register one credit in the book. Miss Wright looks over the cards as they come in, and often makes comment on the work, to the individual, or to the class as a whole.