BLACKBOARD WORK OF THE PUPILS
(Explained in detail in [Chapter Five].) Pupils affected: first and second grades especially. On Monday all poor writers in any grade work at the board and perfect the new letters or sentence for the week. Suggested procedure for any grade:
Place a model (two in lower grades) for each pupil.
Demonstrate briefly the letter.
Class face board, trace with right forefinger, teacher and class counting.
Trace with chalk, six or more times. Erase.
Make drill to count.
Class criticize and answer questions.
Introduce simple test lines to prove to class that work measures up to standard.
Personal help.
Upper grade pupils should not spend more than one-half to two-thirds of the period at the board, then they should go directly to seats and make the good forms just learned function on paper. In all applied work at the board, hold pupils equally as responsible for correct forms and neat legible writing as in seat writing.
Position at the board: Turn the left side slightly toward the board, allow left hand to hang or to hold the eraser. Write as high as the eyes. Use signal, “Stand erect,” “Turn,” “Face,” “Down”; the last signal to be given when the teacher desires to see all the work at the board.
Good line quality is largely the result of working at correct speed throughout the drill period, for by so doing even pressure is exerted, and pleasing quality is the result.
The eraser should be drawn downward from the top line to the groove, holding it parallel with the groove. This permits the chalk dust to fall where it should. Lift the eraser and repeat, always drawing from the top line downward.