There is a peculiar fitness in having white, the combination of all the colors, for the Gospel story, which is the center and climax of all the Bible narratives, and it is very desirable to have the life of Christ marked in a peculiar way which will set it apart from the rest and emphasize its importance. In the regular order indigo, the darkest and least attractive of all the ribbons, would mark the Gospels, and there would be but one ribbon for the letters, which leaves a series of twenty-one names to be learned in one group.
The Bookmark as a Reward
This device is first mentioned in connection with Lesson 8. In the correlated work for Lesson 9 slips of paper of the bookmark colors are suggested as markers for the memory texts, and the children in this way begin to learn the kinds of books in the Bible. A sheet of paper for each color is not difficult to secure and would make enough strips for several classes.
If the school can afford to give them, the bookmarks make a fine reward to give to the children when they have learned the books and divisions perfectly. If the parents can afford to buy them and the school cannot, suggest that they do so but ask them to wait until the children know the names of the books, so that it will come as a reward in any case.
Promotion Requirements and Honors
The Basis for Promotion
In any graded course of study the pupils are expected to earn promotion from grade to grade by attaining a certain required average in their work. In the Junior Course the Pupil’s Book for Work and Study is, as the name implies, both a guide in study, and a means of fixing in mind the knowledge which has been gained. To meet the requirements of this book the pupil must do the daily Bible readings, learn the memory text or texts each week, do whatever reading is required, and learn the hymns that are printed in the book. At the beginning of the course the pupils should understand that the doing of the work for which the Work Book calls is a requirement for promotion. In all schools seventy-five per cent out of a possible one hundred is accepted as a passing average. Therefore, three out of four Work Books satisfactorily completed during the year entitle the child to promotion. Knowledge that the requirements of the Work Book must be met in order to earn promotion is with many children one of the strongest incentives that can be presented to them for doing that work regularly and well.
Recognition for Extra Work
Every child should be incited to do more than merely meet the requirement that passes him from one grade to the next. It is to furnish this stimulation that extra honor work is provided. If the child chooses to complete the fourth Work Book he earns an honor in that way. If the hymn given for illustration is illustrated that gives another honor. Learning the optional memory passages, prayers, and hymns is a third method of gaining honors; and regular attendance upon the church service a fourth.