Milking. Churning. Turning separator. Caring for horses. Caring for cows. Caring for pigs. Caring for poultry. Cleaning barn. Splitting wood. Carrying in wood. Gardening. Cooking.
Baking. Washing. Ironing. Sweeping. Dusting. Sewing. Running errands. Making beds. Washing dishes. Building fires. Caring for little children.
Several high schools have sent us reports of their plans for giving credit for work outside of school. Some of these schools use plans that differ considerably from those of the elementary schools where the movement began; they lay emphasis on improvement in work, and to this end they require that all the work be supervised by the teachers of home economics, agriculture, commerce, or manual training. Other high schools try to encourage the habit of industry, no matter what the kind of work, and offer credit for such tasks as running errands, delivering groceries, or carrying a paper route. In my opinion both ideas are good; there is no end to the possibilities of developing skill in home work under the instruction of one who really knows how to do it, and there is also great value in the encouragement of faithful industry in routine tasks.
[Illustration: AUBURN, WASHINGTON, HIGH SCHOOL BOYS IN RAILROAD SHOPS
This is good school equipment. It cost $200,000]
Descriptions of parts of the work of a few high schools are given here.
In the High School of Santa Monica, California, two credits for home work are allowed out of the total of sixteen required for graduation, and pupils with a certain average standing who earn eighteen credits, two of them for home work, may graduate _cum laude_.
Below is given a list of tasks for which school credit will be allowed:--
Regular music lessons, instrumental or vocal, under a competent instructor.
_One-half credit for half-time for a year, or for full time for summer vacation_:--
Cement work, or work in any local trades or industries.
Raising one-fourth acre of potatoes, melons, onions, strawberries, or similar products.
Employment in a dressmaking or millinery establishment for summer vacation.
Retiring at 10 P.M. five days per week for one year.
Taking a cold bath every morning five times per week on an average for one year.