Ontario Teachers Manuals: Household Science in Rural Schools | Page 2

School Lunch 191 Useful Bulletins 200
Household Science Without School Equipment 201 First Method 201
Second Method 204
The Fireless Cooker 208 Directions for Fireless Cooker--No. I 210 The
Outside Container 210 The Insulating Material 212 The Inside
Container 214 The Kettle 214 Extra Source of Heat 215 Covering Pad
215 Directions for Fireless Cooker--No. II 217 Method of Making 217
Directions for Fireless Cooker--No. III 217 Method of Making 218
Use of the Fireless Cooker in the Preparation of Lunches 218
Special Grants for Rural and Village Schools 221

PREFACE

This Manual is issued for the purpose of encouraging the introduction
and furthering the progress of Household Science in the rural schools of
this Province. There are 903 urban and 5,697 rural schools, and 45.87%
of the school population is in attendance at the latter schools. The value
of Household Science as an educational and practical subject has been
recognized, to some extent, in the urban schools of the Province but, up
to the present, little attempt has been made to give the subject a place
among the activities of the rural schools.
There is a wide-spread impression that it is not possible in Household
Science to give any instruction that is of value without the provision of
separate rooms, elaborate equipment, and specially trained teachers.
Where these conditions exist, of course, the best work can be
accomplished; but, even where they cannot be realized, much may be
done toward giving definite, useful instruction in the cardinal principles
of home-making, which should be learned by every girl. There is
certainly not a single rural school where some practical work in sewing
and some valuable lessons in the care of the home may not be given.
As for cookery, it is doubtful if there is a single school so small and so
helpless that it is unable to use the hot noon-day lunch as a method of
approach to this branch of the subject.
Students of the physical welfare of children are rapidly coming to the
conclusion that a warm mid-day meal greatly increases the efficiency
of the pupil and determines to a large extent the results of the
afternoon's study. There are other benefits to be derived from a school
lunch well prepared under proper conditions. In many communities it
has been the means of bringing about a healthy and satisfactory
co-operation between the school and the home, of developing a higher
social life in the neighbourhood, and of introducing into the school a
Household Science course, which has proved as great a benefit to the
farmer's wife as to his children.
This Manual deals entirely with conditions that exist in our rural
schools and outlines only such plans and schemes as can be carried out,
even in adverse circumstances, by alert trustees, sympathetic inspectors,
and resourceful teachers.

Permission has been obtained from the Bureau of Education,
Washington, U.S.A., to make use of a recently issued bulletin--"Three
Courses in Home-making for Rural Schools", and of various bulletins
issued by State Agricultural Colleges. The freest use has been made of
this material, and the permission to do so is hereby gratefully
acknowledged.
Only such theory as can be readily assimilated has been given; and the
teacher is advised for further information and help to consult the
Manuals issued by the Department of Education on Household
Management and Sewing. Those who wish to become thoroughly
competent and to earn the highest Departmental grants should attend
the Summer Schools provided by the Department of Education. Under
certain conditions the expenses of teachers attending these courses are
paid by the Department.
Nothing has been included or recommended that cannot be
accomplished in the average rural school; and trustees, teachers, and
inspectors are urged to make a beginning by selecting the lessons that
appeal to them as being most suitable to the districts in which their
schools are situated.
By careful planning and a wise use of the time before and after school
and during recess, the regular organization of the school need not be
interfered with; and, in addition to the educational and social
advantages to be derived from undertaking this work, much benefit will
result from the increased interest taken in the school by the parents and
the general public.
It is not essential that the lessons in this Manual should be taken
exactly in the order given. Any other arrangement called for by the
peculiar circumstances of the school is admissible.
The Inspector of Manual Training and Household Science is ready at
all times to visit rural schools for the purpose of conferring with the
Public School Inspectors, the trustees, and the teachers regarding the
introduction of Household Science as a regular subject of the school
curriculum.

HOUSEHOLD SCIENCE IN RURAL SCHOOLS
THREE SHORT COURSES IN HOME-MAKING
INTRODUCTION
The three brief courses in