eas, the greater will be their
development. The teacher should feel that she is hindering the growth of
the children and defrauding them of their legitimate opportunity for
development when she allows an over-anxiety for tangible and showy results
to make her take the responsibility upon herself.

The details of method are best presented through a detailed description of
typical illustrations actually worked out in the classroom.

A SAND-TABLE FARM--HOME LIFE IN THE COUNTRY

The study of home life as a general subject will include "our home" and
the homes of other people who live under different conditions. To the town
child the country will often be somewhat familiar and hold the second
place in his interest. In the country school the farm may often be the
best place to begin.

Various questions will arise as soon as it is decided to make a sand-table
farm, the answers to which will be governed by the habits of the locality.
What sort of farm shall we have? Shall we raise stock, fruit, corn, wheat,
vegetables, or a little of everything? What shall we need to plant in each
case, and in what proportion? How much pasture land shall we need? What
buildings? What machinery?

[Illustration: FIG. 38.--A sand-table farm. First grade. Columbia,
Missouri.]

[Illustration: FIG. 39.--A sand-table farm. Second grade. Columbia,
Missouri.]

=Fences.=--As soon as the question of crops and the division of the table
into fields is settled, the problem of fencing presents itself. What sort
of fence is needed, wire, boards, pickets, rails, or hedge? How far apart
shall the posts be set, how tall should they be, and how many will be
needed? How many boards? How wide? How long? How many wires?

The making of the fencing will supply material for one or more number
lessons. Various materials may be used.

_Twigs_ may be cut to given lengths and set in concrete (clay) posts.

_For wire fence_, cut posts from small wooden sticks. Drive small tacks in
each post--one for each wire. Use fine spool wire or wire raveled from fly
screen. Twist wires once around each tack, or drive the tacks in firmly so
that the wire is held by the head of the tack. This is not an easy fence
for very little children to make.

[Illustration: FIG. 40.--Detail of chicken fence.]

_To make board fence._ Cut posts required length, and decide upon distance
between posts. Make boards of thin strips of wood or of pasteboard. Nail
boards to posts with