In the first of these, the teacher spends the last thirty or forty
minutes, generally on Friday afternoons, in the description and
discussion of some practical cooking problem which may be performed in
the homes of the pupils. Before this plan is adopted, it should be
discussed with the pupils who are to take the work. They should be
required to promise that they will practise at home; and the consent and
co-operation of the parents should be secured, as the success of this
home work depends, in the first place, on the willingness of the pupil
to accept responsibility, and, in the second place, on the honest and
hearty co-operation of the parents.
A meeting of the mothers should be called, in order that the plan may be
laid before them and their suggestions received. At this meeting
afternoon tea might be served. The teacher should plan the lessons, but
occasionally, particularly at festive seasons, the pupils themselves
should be allowed to decide what shall be made. When it is possible, the
food prepared at home should be brought by the pupil to the school, in
order that it may be compared with that made by other pupils and be
judged by the teacher. In other cases, the mother might be asked to fill
up a previously prepared form, certifying to the amount and character of
the work done at home by the pupil each week.
The instructions placed on the black-board should be clear and concise
and give adequate information concerning materials, quantities, and
methods. They should be arranged in such a way as to appeal to the eye
and thus assist the memory. Connected composition should not be
attempted, but the matter should be arranged in a series of numbered
steps, somewhat as follows:
_Recipe: Boiled Carrots_
Carrots
Boiling water
Salt and pepper
Butter