1422 Rural School Leaflet 



WHAT SOME TEACHERS ARE DOING 



Editors' note. — Teachers are always interested in what their colleagues 

 are doing in situations resembling their own. From a large number of 

 reports that have come to the College several illustrating different phases 

 of work relating to natural history, agriculture, home making, and the 

 general development of rural schools, have been selected. These will be 

 found on the following pages. 



Newfane, New York, June 15, 191 5 



The boys and girls of District No. 10, Town of Newfane, Niagara County 

 wish me to extend their thanks for the book recently received, and for 

 returning to us the notebook, which was considered worthy of first prize. 



We found so much pleasure and learned so many things about horses 

 while preparing our notebook that we thought that sufficient reward for 

 our work. Last year we received three blue ribbons and a book for our 

 Farmers' Week exhibits, but serious illness in my home made it impossible 

 for me to get anything in shape for it this year. This was a disappoint- 

 ment to us all, for we wanted to do all we could to show our appreciation 

 for the many things you have done for us. 



When we found in the leaflet about the horse notebooks, we thought 

 that was our chance; but the result was far above our expectations. One 

 of the men of our district asked to see your letter, and a few days later it 

 appeared in our local paper. It has aroused much interest, and I am 

 questioned about it from all sides. 



I hope that more of our teachers wnll take a greater interest in the 

 out-of-doors. So m.any think it takes too much time, but if they would 

 only try it out, they would find it a timesaver. School work goes so much 

 better after a few minutes spent in observing som.e living, growing thing. 



Fort Edward, New York, February i, 191 5 



All are very much interested in the improvement of our school and 

 grounds, and I think when spring comes wc will act on your suggestion 

 in regard to the planting of some shrubs, and we also wish to get the ground 

 in shape and seed it. 



There is certainly room for much improvement, but I wish I might 

 send you a photograph of the building as it was at the beginning of school 

 last fall. The fotmdation had fallen away leaving the building resting 

 in the mud on one side. Many of the clapboards were loose. On the 

 inside the floor in many places was worn through, an old jackknife-carv^ed 

 bench extended all the way around the room, which was ceiled up ^^•ith 

 wide, rough boards. The windows were small (having seven by nine glass 

 in some places, and in others none), and they were so high that when a 

 person was seated it was impossible to see anything outside except the 

 sky. Even the yard outside was untenable, being filled mth poison i\^'. 

 Our district superintendent, I believe, condemned the school, and for a 

 time it was almost decided to abandon it and unite with an adjoining 

 district. But this did not meet wnth favor with those having little folk 

 to go, as the distance was considerable. So during a two- weeks vacation 



