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119
In some of the Infants' Departments, excellent examples are
shown of toys or models manufactured by the children themselves
from simple materials.
One consists of a large doll's house, whose walls are formed
of empty matchboxes, strengthened by paper on either side. A
very elaborate staircase is also constructed of matchboxes, and has
an inviting appearance; the chairs and tables are of paper, cut
out and folded by the children and then ornamented with a coat
of paint. Carpets and rugs have been plaited and woven to
measure by the children, so that as many scholars as possible
share in the work. The occupants are dolls wearing crinkled
paper dresses, which can easily be renewed when soiled.
Another department has made beautiful models of a lighthouse
constructed of paper, and a large pillar-box made of glazed
linen, in which the letters written by the scholars to one another
are posted, and the children take weekly turns to act as school
postman.
The whole effects obtained are excellent, and are highly
creditable both to teachers and scholars concerned in the production.
The general combination of work and play has a wonderful
fascination, and tends to arouse feelings of envy as we remember
days when the rudiments of learning were only attained by more
laborious and less interesting methods.
Gardening.
In former reports we have drawn attention to the good work
which is being performed in Nature-study, especially where the
playground space permits of small plots being used as individual
gardens for the scholars.
At Acton Wells Boys' School a further development of a
gardening scheme has taken place during the past year.