FEEDING HER BIRD
Mabel C——, aged 12, Algona, Washington

SCHOOL CREDIT

FOR HOME WORK

BY L. R. ALDERMAN

CITY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
PORTLAND, OREGON
FORMERLY SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC
INSTRUCTION, STATE OF OREGON

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY
BOSTON NEW YORK CHICAGO

The Riverside Press Cambridge

COPYRIGHT, 1915, BY L. R. ALDERMAN
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

The Riverside Press

CAMBRIDGE. MASSACHUSETTS
U.S.A

TO THE MEMORY
OF
MY FATHER AND MOTHER
Who made their boys happy partners in the
work of the home and farm

PREFACE

It has been a surprise and a delight to me,as this book has been in progress, to learn ofthe many different ways that people haveworked out these home credit plans. It hasbeen as if I could see into many happy schoolrooms.Letters from mothers and fathersboasting of the accomplishments of theirchildren, have brought to me a little glowfrom the hearthsides of many homes. Afather brought his boy—or rather the boybrought his father—up to see me and talkover what the boy was doing at home. Thefather boasted of the boy's fine garden, hisbig pumpkins, his watermelons that wouldattract the neighbors. Johnny almost burstthe top button off his vest with pride as hisfather praised him and patted him on thehead. After this happy meeting, the fatherand the son got on the high wagon seat androde home; and as I saw them going downthe street, I could imagine what they talkedabout. Such glimpses help to make a school[vi]man's life worth while; and I have had manyof them as I have been writing this book.

For the fact that this book exists at all, Iam indebted to my wife, who has helped mewith every part of it, and to Mr. and Mrs.C. C. Thomason, of Olympia, Washington,who believed in the book from the first. Mrs.Thomason has also done much work on thebook; she has gathered all the illustrative material,visiting many schools and writing manyletters. She and my wife have done mostof the organizing of material, and have goneover the manuscript together. To MissFanny Louise Barber, of the WashingtonHigh School, Portland, I am grateful for hercareful reading and revision of several chapters.I owe thanks to Mrs. Sarah J. Hoagland,of Belt, Montana, for the true and vividstories she has sent me; and I am thankfulto all the home credit teachers, with whomwe have been corresponding, for their painstakinganswers to our letters, as well as forthe valuable plans that they have originated.

L. R. Alderman.

Portland, Oregon,
November 16, 1914.

CONTENTS

PART ONE