In inaugurating this work it seems that the ordinary laboratory method for giving credit is quite as well adapted to home laboratory work as it is to school laboratory work. If the perfect grade, 100 per cent in the elementary school in grades 1 to 6, inclusive, be divided into two parts, i.e., a maximum of 90 per cent for school work and a maximum of 10 per cent for home work for all pupils who desire to do the home work, then one tenth of the number of hours in the school year may be taken as the basis for credit. Counting the double period, as should be done, 216 hours or 6 hours per week would be the required time for the nine-months' term of school to receive full credit. The pupil would, therefore, need to work at home six hours per week. This work should be scattered throughout the week as evenly as possible, with the opportunity of doing not to exceed three hours' work in any one day, as, for example, on Saturday. As in the laboratory system, the pupils, regardless of the overtime put in, could only receive full credit for any year. Pupils who do not have the chance for home work will not be affected in their work, as the usual method of grading will apply to them. Conditions must determine the time necessary for any given piece of work. For example, if one boy feeds a team of horses in ten minutes, another in fifteen minutes, another in five minutes, and another in thirty minutes, under similar conditions, perhaps one boy is working too rapidly and another too slowly. From such reports it seems that twelve to fifteen minutes should be allowed for feeding a team of horses.

The best and most profitable division of time for the home work would be about thirty minutes, both morning and evening, each day. During these work periods different things should be done, and during the year it is to be hoped that a large variety of different kinds of work may be included. If the home is in sympathy with the child's work it can help very materially in setting tasks for the child that are of the most profitable nature.

Reports to Teachers

The pupils should furnish the reports themselves over their own signatures for the home work. Putting them on their own honor is valuable and in justice is due them. Since results must be produced in most kinds of work, the teacher can judge quite accurately as to the value of work.

Illustrative Report Card

Weekly report home work. Date....................
Elementary school.

Pupil...................

Work.Remarks.Time spent each day.
M.T.W.T.F.S.
Feeding horses.1 team, twice each day202220182020
Cut wood1⁄2 cord, stove length 150
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