  This book is the outgrowth of long experience as a teacher of primary grades, followed by special study of handwork as a factor in elementary education. It is written with three objects in view: First, to gather into a single volume various methods already in use in the more progressive schools, and for which the best suggestions are scattered through current periodicals: Second, to organize these methods and present them in a simple form for the use of teachers who have had no special training in handwork processes: Third, accepting conditions as they exist in the small town school and the one-room country school, as a basis of organization, to offer suggestions which may be easily adapted to the conditions of any school with a view to bringing present practice into closer harmony with the best educational ideals. No claim is laid to originality, beyond the small details in which one person's interpretation of a large problem will differ from that of another. The projects here outlined have been tested in the Public Schools of Columbia, Missouri, under conditions which are common to towns of about the same size. The point of view has been influenced chiefly by the educational philosophy of Prof. John Dewey, especially as expressed in his essay "The Child and the Curriculum." The author wishes here to make grateful Thanks are also due to Dr. Naomi Norsworthy of Teachers College, and to Dean W. W. Charters of Missouri University, for encouragement in planning the book and for criticism of the manuscript. Especial acknowledgment is here made to Prof. R. W. Selvidge of Peabody College for Teachers, formerly of this University, for hearty coÖperation and helpful suggestions in working out the problems described in this book, and to the teachers of the Columbia Schools for their most efficient services in testing these problems in their classrooms. E. V. D. University of Missouri, |
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