Fig. 40.—
Detail of chicken fence.
The making of the fencing will supply material for one or more number lessons. Various materials may be used.
Twigs may be cut to given lengths and set in concrete (clay) posts.
For wire fence, cut posts from small wooden sticks. Drive small tacks in each post—one for each wire. Use fine spool wire or wire raveled from fly screen. Twist wires once around each tack, or drive the tacks in firmly so that the wire is held by the head of the tack. This is not an easy fence for very little children to make.
To make board fence. Cut posts required length, and decide upon distance between posts. Make boards of thin strips of wood or of pasteboard. Nail boards to posts with tacks or small brads. This is a very easy fence to make and gives some good exercise in measuring.
Rail fences may be made from toothpicks or burnt matches.
Picket fence for the dooryard may be made on wooden foundation with cardboard pickets.
Hedge fence should be made from some fine-leafed plant. Cedar twigs serve well.
Chicken fence may be cut from paper as per illustration. Fold paper several times, lengthwise. Cut across the fold as indicated by arrows. Stretch lengthwise as shown in [Fig. 40], a and b.
Buildings.—The class should decide on the buildings needed. Each building should be assigned to a group of two or three workers. Each group should be held responsible for its contribution and should work out its problem with as little help as possible. If the children are able to plan a barn and make it, even though it is a very crude affair, more has been accomplished than if a very cunning structure had been made after plans, dictated and closely supervised by the teacher.