16 



BULLETIN 385, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTUEE. 



A method less frequently used which appears quite practical is as 

 follows: During the last two years of the elementary grades a pupil 

 may obtain credits for home work which may equal not more than one 

 5-hour course of prepared school work. This divided between the 

 two grades would make 2| hours per week of academic credit, or on 

 the basis of our previous discussion, 5 hours or more of home work 

 per week for two school years. If this is not required, it should at 

 least be elective, with some weight as an alternative. Such a method 

 would equal approximately the amoimt of credit given when two 

 days of practical work were credited each week under other methods. 



In the secondary school, where there is usually an established 

 system of credits, the apphcation of these principles should be a 

 simple matter, especially where the home project is a required part 

 of the course in agriculture. 



Whenever it is practicable, the superintendent should provide the 

 teachers with hsts of projects which may be used in the district and 

 the usual labor ranges reduced to a basis of schoolboys' work. Such 

 a form as the following might be used based on local records: 



Some projects for the School. Grades 7 and 8. 



Project. 



Unit. 



Maximum 

 time. 



Minimum 

 time. 



Desirable range. 



Growing com 



Care of laying hens. 



1 acre 



25 hens; 1 

 year. 



86 hours. . 

 140 hours. 



70 horns... 

 100 hours.. 



J acre to 1 acre. 

 to 50 hens; 6 months 

 to 1 year. 



Extend the list to cover all ordinary projects. 



Whenever credit is given for home practicums a similar guide 

 should be prepared for the teacher. 



Home practicums for the School. Grades 5 to 7. 



Practicum. 



Minimum practice.) 



Equivalent 

 to recita- 

 tions. 



Required test. 



■Runriing separator 



3 consecutive weeks 



5 



6 



10 



3 times; speed with- 

 in 5 revolutions. 



Hoeing com 



1 acre 



Testing seed corn 



2 separate tests. 50 ears. 

 Records. 







teaoher. 



Supervision of projects. — In the estimation of many educators, the 

 success of the whole project and credit plan depends on supervision, 

 especially during the vacation months. The frequent visits of an 

 inspector who will check up the work done and advise on the im- 

 pending needs stimulate the pupil durmg those weeks when neglect 

 is most probable. Usually pupils begin with much enthusiasm but 

 have too little persistency to stick to a monotonous task alone 



