Educative seat work

Front matter

FARMVILLE, VIRGINIA

With an Appendix containing a discussion of a schedule for

a two-room school, and references and addresses

Introduction

The Problem Stated 5

The Aims of This Bulletin 5

Shorter Hours as a Partial Solution 6

Possible Help from Rearrangement of the Schedule 7

Function of Free Play and of Directed Work 7

Importance of Providing Equipment for Seat Work 9

Types of Seatwork for the Primary Grades

Reading, Word Study, Literature, Language : Work with word cards, letter cards; outlining with pegs or grains of corn; illustrative drawing and cutting; sand-table work; preparation for dramatization or puppet shows ; booklets, dictionaries, copy work, short compositions 10

Number : Work with sticks and cardboard tablets ; making number cards ; toy money ; stringing beads, berries, etc. ; measuring and cutting sticks for use; ruler making; designing borders; making paper strips for weaving; ruling calendars; clock face; construction with sticks and peas or pins, involving measurements ; beanbags ; representation of real number interests substituted for more formal stick and peg laying 17

Construction, Color, and Form: Discriminating color; color pictures from various sources ; wall paper, etc., for doll house ; stringing of varicolored beads ; sewing cards ; further suggestions for furnishing doll house ; scrapbooks ; reins ; posters ; valentines ; Christmas gifts; May baskets; Easter Eggs and cards; sewing; weaving and basketry; paper cutting; paper folding; paper tearing; woodblock printing; modeling in clay and pulp 23

Suggestions for Using the Various Types of Seat Work

Desirability of Relation between the Seat Work and Children's Interests 35

Interests Likely to be Conspicuous in Each Month, with Suggestions ; October Interests and Suggestions ; Novmeber Interests and Suggestions, etc., Through April Interests and Suggestions.. 36

Grading of Seat Work 38

Provisions for Free Play

Out of Door Provisions 40

Indoor Games and Play Equipment 42

Possible Objections Considered 43

CONTENTS— Concluded

PAGE

The First Grade's First Week

Nature and Cause of First Grade Difficulties 44

Difficulties and Dangers in Providing Formal Work 45

Suggestions for the First Day 45

Suggestions for the Second Day 51

Suggestions for the Third Day 52

Suggestions for the Fourth Day 54

Suggestions for the Fifth Day 55

Need for Early Study of the Pupil's Interests and Abilities 56