Page:The Elementary Worker and his Work.djvu/20

Rh Some suggestions may be made as to the work within the separate departments. The Beginners may be kept together in one group throughout the session. If too many for this, they may be separated, after the opening, into two classes, one of four year old children and one of five year olds. In some large departments even more classes may be deemed advisable.

It is well for the Primary Department to have at least three classes, one class for each year or grade, boys and girls together. If the department is large, two classes, one of boys and one of girls, may be formed for each of the three grades. In the Junior Department boys and girls should be in separate classes. Small classes should be the rule. Six to eight pupils are enough. If possible there should be one class of boys and one of girls for each grade, making eight classes in the department. In small schools pupils of two grades may be combined in a single class. That is, fourth and fifth grade (nine and ten year old) boys in one class, fourth and fifth grade girls in another, sixth and seventh grade (eleven and twelve year old) boys in one class, and sixth and seventh grade girls in another.

In some schools an entirely different plan is being tried with good results; namely, dividing the entire Junior Department into four classes according to grades, boys and girls together.

In the Intermediate Department let there be, if possible, at least eight classes, one class of boys and one class of girls for each grade. Small classes are a decided advantage. In the Senior Department it may be well to have one or more mixed classes. Here natural social groups should be observed in forming classes.

In the Adult Department there should be, without fail, at least one organized Men's Class, and another organized Women's Class, In addition it may be well to have one mixed class.