Method:

Our experience with boys of eleven to fourteen years would seem to indicate a peculiar proneness to pick out and learn all the accidental or relatively unimportant matter that can be found in a text book, while often ignoring things of real importance. Undoubtedly training is needed to overcome this habit. We have chosen, by using two sizes of type, to help the boy in this matter and, if possible, to "put things up to him" in such a way that there can be no dodging.

On the other hand, if the boy will undertake the reference and experimental work suggested, there will be ample opportunity for him to exercise his powers of discrimination and analysis. If the boy finds any unfamiliar words in the text it should be his business to look them up in the dictionary. All the crafts have a few technical words that the young mechanic should learn as soon as possible. A dictionary should, therefore, be part of the equipment of every shop.

Reference and Experimental Work:

Do not let the reference and experimental work trouble you. We have suggested much more than any one class should ever undertake. Do as much or as little of it as you find of interest and value. We have found that for many reasons - illness, transfers, inability, or unusual ability-there are always some boys that get out of step with the rest of the class. They need special attention. This, the conscientious teacher, if he is to deal justly with the faithful majority, cannot always give immediately. At such times we have found a well selected shelf of books to be a wonderful help. We have assigned the topics suggested for reference or experimental work, and have seldom been disappointed in the results secured. Indeed, we believe that a boy's curiosity, guided somewhat by the master, will often discount all the master's grown-up analysis of the subject, all his careful grading of difficulties. For, once the boy has caught a glimpse of the light and is filled with a desire to reach it, his zeal and enthusiasm will make short work of many difficulties. We do not, however, discount the value of the master. He leads the way after all, and it is his counsel that helps to fix standards and ideals in the boy's mind.

Shop Organization:

The shop teacher has a great many tools and supplies to care for. If he attempts to attend to all these matters personally he will find himself burdened with his duties. On the other hand, if he is a good organizer and manager he can, by calling the boys to his assistance, make this part of the work a real satisfaction and at the same time give to his boys a training in responsibility and leadership that is of supreme interest and importance.

We have learned to appoint the best and most reliable boys as inspectors, tool experts, and shop foremen. Our system works out about as follows:

1. One boy in each row is appointed an inspector. It is his duty to inspect at the beginning and at the end of each class period, the condition of each bench in his row. If he finds any tool missing he reports the same to the shop foreman; otherwise he reports everything O. K. The shop foreman records this report in his book.

2. An inspector is appointed:

1. For the general tool case.

2. For the stain table.

3. For the drawing boards.

4. For the clamp table.

5. For the lumber rack.

Each of these inspectors report to the shop foreman and the shop foreman records their reports in his book.

3. A tool expert is appointed to help others grind their plane irons and chisels. He is selected because he is the best mechanic in the class. He is only asked to serve when the teacher finds it impossible to attend to the grinding personally.

Some may think this a rather complicated organization to maintain. We do not find it so. Indeed, it saves us a great deal of time. The boys are able to perform their duties in about three minutes daily, and if the teacher is systematic himself in checking up the inspectors and the records of his shop foreman, he will find that the boys have kept house for him in splendid fashion.

A few inquiries into the organization of the best industrial shops, made at the time the inspectors, tool expert, and shop foreman are appointed, and a little study of the evolution of foremen and superintendents will convince the boys that it is an honor to be asked to serve in this capacity, and that the training involved is of great value. The idea can be pressed still further. One or more shop draftsmen may be selected to put drawings or written work on the board; one or more "jig" experts appointed to construct jigs so that certain jobs can be worked out rapidly. In this way every ambitious boy can be given an opportunity that means training for leadership and responsibility. How to Keep up Interest in Drill Work:

Skill in using the various tools is essential if satisfactory results are to be secured. We have learned to make a game of this part of our work. We can hardly go into the details of our methods, our score cards, and our inter-class contests. The ingenious teacher with the help of his boys should be able to solve the problem. We learned the trick from the elementary grade teachers of our acquaintance.