The answer to both questions is yes, for the first year of
the course here presented does not presuppose special train-
ing on the part of the teacher, nor the use of special labora-
tories. It does, however, take for granted a strong desire
on her part to do this work, a lively belief in its efficiency,
and an earnest effort to become better acquainted with the
facts and philosophy of everyday home life.
The grade teacher who first earnestly teaches as much
as she can without a laboratory will have the most con-
XX INTRODUCTION
vincing argument on her side when she asks, as she cer-
tainly will, for rooms properly arranged and equipped for
the purpose. To such Miss McNear's chapter on " How to
turn an Ordinary Schoolroom into a Workshop for the Study
of Household Arts " will be full of valuable suggestions.
One of the chief merits of the book lies in the fact that
since each chapter of this manual contains, by design, much
more material than can possibly be used under the most
advantageous circumstances in the single month in which
it is placed, the teacher is thereby enabled to give a course
or several courses adapted to her own peculiar needs and
facilities. She may give with its aid : —
1. A course of one hour a week for one year, consisting
of " housework." A laboratory is not absolutely necessary.
2. A course of tw^o hours a week for one year, or one
hour for two years, consisting of housework, mending, and
food. A laboratory is not absolutely necessary.
3. A course of two hours a week for two years, con-
sisting of housework, sewing, foods., principles of cooking,
and some practice in the art. For this course a laboratory
will be necessary.
4. A course of two hours a week for three years. This
will include nearly all the material given in this volume.
A laboratory will be necessary.
5. A four years' course, including more practice in sew-
ing and cooking. For the efficient carrying out of this
course the teacher will need for her own use in teaching
the fourth year students a text-book for cooking similar
to the "Boston Cooking School Cook-book" and Smith's
''Needlework for Student Teachers." Laboratories are
necessary.
Those who can give but one hour a week to the subject
are urged to pay particular attention to Chapter I, in which
are outlined ten topics, each of which might well occupy
INTRODUCTION XXI
one of the ten school months. Other chapters discuss each
of these subjects with more detail.
To those who can spend at least two hours a week on
this subject, the following division of the subject-matter
is suggested : —
September. — Development of the Home Ideal, Evolu-
tion of the House, General Considerations of Each of its
Rooms. Chapter I on the House Beautiful.
October. — The Kitchen, including the Range and Clean-
ing.
November. — Foods : Study of Food Materials and their
Digestion.
December. — Foods: Food Value, Dietaries, and Food
Economies.
January. — Princijyles of Cooking.
February. — Tlie Dining Room, including preparation
of menus.
March. — The Bedroom, including ventilation.
April. — Laundry.
May. — Household Pests.
June. — Mending.
For both of these general courses the Reader written to
accompany this manual and intended for the use of pupils
will be found of value. In it may be found the homes
of literature, household customs of other ages and countries,
studies of home materials, etc.
Page 4
Presented as published in 1900. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
The answer to both questions is yes, for the first year of the course here presented does not presuppose special training on the part of the teacher, nor the use of special laboratories. It does, however, take for granted a strong desire on her part to do this work, a lively belief in its efficiency, and an earnest effort to become better acquainted with the facts and philosophy of everyday home life.
The grade teacher who first earnestly teaches as much as she can without a laboratory will have the most con-
XX INTRODUCTION
vincing argument on her side when she asks, as she certainly will, for rooms properly arranged and equipped for the purpose. To such Miss McNear's chapter on " How to turn an Ordinary Schoolroom into a Workshop for the Study of Household Arts " will be full of valuable suggestions.
One of the chief merits of the book lies in the fact that since each chapter of this manual contains, by design, much more material than can possibly be used under the most advantageous circumstances in the single month in which it is placed, the teacher is thereby enabled to give a course or several courses adapted to her own peculiar needs and facilities. She may give with its aid : —
1. A course of one hour a week for one year, consisting of " housework." A laboratory is not absolutely necessary.
2. A course of two hours a week for one year, or one hour for two years, consisting of housework, mending, and food. A laboratory is not absolutely necessary.
3. A course of two hours a week for two years, consisting of housework, sewing, foods, principles of cooking, and some practice in the art. For this course a laboratory will be necessary.
4. A course of two hours a week for three years. This will include nearly all the material given in this volume. A laboratory will be necessary.
5. A four years' course, including more practice in sewing and cooking. For the efficient carrying out of this course the teacher will need for her own use in teaching the fourth year students a text-book for cooking similar to the "Boston Cooking School Cook-book" and Smith's ''Needlework for Student Teachers." Laboratories are necessary.
Those who can give but one hour a week to the subject are urged to pay particular attention to Chapter I, in which are outlined ten topics, each of which might well occupy
INTRODUCTION XXI
one of the ten school months. Other chapters discuss each of these subjects with more detail.
To those who can spend at least two hours a week on this subject, the following division of the subject-matter is suggested : —
September. — Development of the Home Ideal, Evolution of the House, General Considerations of Each of its Rooms. Chapter I on the House Beautiful.
October. — The Kitchen, including the Range and Cleaning.
November. — Foods : Study of Food Materials and their Digestion.
December. — Foods: Food Value, Dietaries, and Food Economies.
January. — Principles of Cooking.
February. — The Dining Room, including preparation of menus.
March. — The Bedroom, including ventilation. April. — Laundry. May. — Household Pests. June. — Mending.
For both of these general courses the Reader written to accompany this manual and intended for the use of pupils will be found of value. In it may be found the homes in literature, household customs of other ages and countries, studies of home materials, etc.