A scheme of simple woodwork

In response to oft-repeated requests from many earnest students of child life, who are ever alert to the advantages to be derived from the systematizing of natural aptitude. I place this text-book of simple woodwork, based on Froebelian ideals, before my fellow teachers and the public generally.

Years of earnest thought have been devoted to the evolution of an occupation, untrammelled by convention, yet at once simple, natural, fascinating, and educationally effective, capable of being made the hub of co-ordination, and of being expounded by every thoughtful teacher, without undue study and preparation.

The scheme is designed to cultivate the active and creative instincts; to give practice in failure and success; to test the ability to concentrate the mind whilst doing a definite thing; to provide means of communication between the teacher and the child, whereby the latter can render observant information, from which the teacher can impart more exact knowledge; to open up an avenue of research for the student of child life, and to give to the teacher full scope for individualism in the attainment of educational ideals.

The "Suggestions for the consideration of Teachers" recently issued by the Board of Education - although distinctly stated to be of a tentative character - is a clear sign of impending changes. It is an official blast which sounds the clarion notes of a new era. The "bridging over" of the fatal gap which now exists, will be an accomplished fact in the near future. An "occupation craft-room" will be required in each school building, wherein each child on roll will receive - under the guidance of a specialist teacher - real coordinated instruction which will infuse new life into ordinary school routine, and make the why and wherefore of education more apparent to the child.

“Many teachers may disagree with some of the suggestions in the following chapters; in that event, they should ask themselves whether their own procedure, however sanctioned by convention, may not be open to question." The severe tests to which the scheme has been subjected, and the unqualified success which has invariably attended the trials, emboldens me to give assurances which would otherwise be impossible or egotistic.

In the introductory chapter, the general principles underlying the whole scheme are set forth, and the text and drawings following show, in the most simple and minute language, the necessary details of construction of each of the Standard models, whilst the numerous diagrams of tools - kindly lent by Messrs. Marples & Sons, Limited. Sheffield - and photo, blocks illustrating the methods of handling and using the simple tools will be found of value for enlarging diagrams for demonstration purposes. A brief synopsis of the procedure for constructing each model is arranged at the end of each lesson to simplify and indicate method. The coordination lessons are suggested titles only, and these may he transposed, deleted, or modified to meet actual requirements.

 
Of the many and varied schemes of practical work devised with the object of training the Hand to deftness and the Eye to accuracy in observation, none has met with so widespread acceptance as Woodwork. The required material, being a direct and universal product of nature, is readily obtainable, cheap, and easily worked into forms of beauty, either in its natural or prepared state. Its ready adaptability to a course of handwork as a continuation of the Kindergarten gifts, makes it an equal, if not a superior, medium to any other known material.
 
In America, Germany, and other progressive countries, it is acknowledged, that when based on purely educational principles for the formation of habits of truthfulness, thoroughness, and self-reliance, and carried into effect with intelligence and enthusiasm by the teacher, a systematic preparatory scheme of woodwork will do much to bridge over the interval which unfortunately exists between the Kindergarten gifts and the more defined practical work in wood and metal, known as "Manual Instruction." As the aim of technical instruction is to attain to skilled work by the right application of the right knowledge," so do these preparatory schemes of woodwork aim to help children to acquire true knowledge by the " right application of the right work."
 
To ensure success in any scheme of work designed to effect co-ordination, the Froebelian principles of connectedness and unbroken continuity of succession must permeate it, the manner of application being perfectly flexible, to vary with the altered condition - physical and mental - of the children, whilst allowing absolute freedom for individual effort.
 
Teachers may be guided on right hues, but they must employ their own methods of illustration, comparison, and language when imparting knowledge to each individual. Especially does this rule apply to the Handicraft work required in the higher classes of the special schools now being established for the direct and better education of backward children. The gradation of the scheme of work from simple to complex aims to furnish the necessary repetition of exercises without causing weariness, and enables the teacher to select readily a model, or an element, suitable to the physical and mental capacity and progressive activity of each child.
 
Education by doing - imitation and mimicry - forms the essence of self-instruction; and the knowledge begun in wonder grows into power, when applied to the doing of something which becomes the expression by the pupil of his own thought. To a child, toys are the very essence of its existence; and every student of child-life can testify to the infinite delight shown in the most crude model made by the child himself, and his love for it, be it a copy, or the actualizing of a preconceived idea. Tools have a strange fascination upon all children, they love to hammer, to cut, to make, and under trained guidance simple woodwork undoubtedly stimulates latent inventive talents more quickly than any other known medium. Experiment has proved that even those children, whose mental powers are far below normal, most readily apply themselves with unique zeal and delight to study under its influence.