FoodNet

A simple course in home economics for rural schools

1916

Page 2

Presented as published in 1916. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
The importance of efficient training for girls in home-mak- ing has become generally recognized. There is hardly a well organized public school system in any of our larger towns which doeS' not offer some training in home economics. The need of this kind of training is quite as great in the rural schools, but owng to the expense attached to installing and maintaining a department of home economics, it is usually thought to be beyond tlie financial means of the average school of one or two rooms. The lessons in this bulletin have been prepared especially to meet the needs of the small schools in which a special teacher and expensive equipment are not as yet possible. They are not ofl'ered as a substitute for a reg- ular course in home economics under a specially trained teacher. On the contrary, it 'is hoped that their very limita- tions will be an incentive in securing, as soon as the finances of the school will permit, a more efficient equipment and a trained teacher; for the country girl should have the same thorough training in all phases of home-making wliich the city girls are receiving in well established courses. Until such training can be secured for the smaller schools as well, this simple couree is offered as a substitute. The success of this course will depend largely upon the teacher. If she is earnest in her desire to make the work of real educational value, ^si^- must study the bulletin carefully, and do a* much of the sug- gested reading as possible. It is especially recommended that she obtain and study carefully all of the bulletins listed. The bulletins are free, and there is no reason why any teacher should fail to have them. It is essential that she familiarize herself with the contents of each lesson and present it with the same care and thoroughness which she gives to other subjects of the curriculum. Care should be taken, also, to relate this subject, wherever possible, to other school studies. This will do much to rid the child's mind of the generally prevailing idea that all work relatino- to home-making is menial, and hence to be sliirked and avoided. The teacher should be able to create a real appreciation of the educational value of household work 10 Bulletin of the University of Texas ill all of its phases, and 'thus place the study of home-making on the same plane as the other subjects in the school curricu- lum. Whenever possible, the teacher should practice the reci- pes at home before giving them to the pupil. If the course is presented as planned, the pupils will have an intelligent under- standing of the composition of foods, their value and uses in the body, and the proper combinations and amounts necessary for a well-balanced diet. They will also be able to prepare and serve wholesome and attractive dishes at the minimum expendi- ture of time, labor, and money. Not less than one hour and a half one afternoon in the week should be allowed for each lesson. Probably the most con- venient hour would be on Friday afternoon during the last hour of school, and continuing a half hour after the dismissal of other pupils.