344 METHODS IN TEACHING 



so essential to good housekeeping. The immediate whole- 

 some educational effect upon the girl is of no less value. 

 Order, patience, perseverance, concentration, determination, 

 and ingenuity are stitched into every garment; and to de- 

 velop thoroughness, independence, originality, and individ- 

 uality should be the aim of every system of manual training. 



The practical teacher of sewing is soon confronted with 

 the fact that individual teaching is necessary to attain the 

 best results. If need be the regular plan of the work must 

 be made so elastic as to suit the pace of those who are swift 

 of eye and hand and who, after all, are the teacher's best 

 assistants ; for through their grit and enthusiasm the whole 

 class may be fired to greater efforts, and the slow of eye and 

 hand may come out triumphant in the end. 



The general outline of sewing in the public schools of 

 Stockton comprises cutting and neat preparation and sewing 

 of the work by the pupils. Objects similar in practice but 

 different in form are given, thus arousing zeal and interest 

 in the children. Sewing is taught in the seventh and eighth 

 grades, one lesson a week. The period is three-quarters of 

 an hour long in the seventh grade, an hour in the eighth. 

 At the beginning of the term every pupil in the seventh grade 

 is provided with a half yard of checked gingham and a quar- 

 ter of a yard of muslin. Later on in the term both grades 

 furnish their own material, thus giving full scope to indi- 

 vidual taste and originality. 



The different stitches, seams, and fastenings of threads 

 are first taught on a frame and copied by the child on a piece 

 of gingham. The child is then ready to put the first lessons 

 into practical use by cutting, basting, and joining by hand 



