Some “Busy Work” Suggestions by Mary E. Perin

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 6, 1908

Some “Busy Work” Suggestions

By Mary E. Perin

To keep small children busy I endeavor to vary their work as much as possible. Paper cutting and folding are excellent. They teach carefulness and accuracy. Very likely every child has an old pair of scissors which he could bring from home. If it is quite impossible for the teacher to draw the objects to be cut, patterns can be made for the teacher’s use by one who can draw, of such objects as chairs, sleds, baskets, etc.

Folding is involved in the children’s cutting from the patterns. I think this exercise once or twice a week quite sufficient. To increase the neatness in the work, the teacher may hang their best work around the room. If neatly and artistically arranged, it helps to decorate the room, and encourages better work. Pictures may be cut from papers and magazines. The children may paste the pictures in a book, and write the name underneath the objects in the pictures.

I also have exercises in geography and physiology every day alternately. It encourages the little ones to think they have more than one study on the report card. In geography I take the State we live in, and teach them the capital, rivers, and large towns. To impress them on their minds I have them draw the map and write in the names of different places as they learn them. It is surprising how much they learn during the term. I simply give oral lessons in physiology, teaching them simple facts about their bodies.

A device in number work which I have found useful is to take cards about three by four inches in size, and on these have some simple examples adapted to the class. I hold the card toward the class, and have the pupils answer at sight and in turn. This teaches them to pay attention, and also teaches accuracy. For convenience I have the answer to the example on the back of the card. The child who gets the right answer holds the card until the recitation is over. The children try to see who can get the greatest number during the recitation. Also in teaching multiplication, instead of writing the tables, have the child keep the multiplier in mind and write the figures on the board, and have him repeat the table.

To keep up the interest in the little Bible class, have a nature study once or twice a week. Take, for instance, the ant, or something very small; teach them God’s great love and care for even the smallest creatures. Read to them from the Bible where it is found. I find Cady’s “Bible Nature” very helpful in these nature studies.

I hope these few suggestions will be of some benefit to others who have the same problems as I to solve.

MARY E. PERIN.