Covering Exercise Books

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30057, 15 February 1963, Page 3

Covering Exercise Books

Sir.—Perhaps I can enlighten "Better Things To Do.” Scrutiny of exercise books is an important means of grading teachers.—Yours, etc, Q.E.D. February 9, 1963.

Sir, —I teach my class in February to cover books; in itself a valuable exercise in 1 craft work. The best method, i of which many parents seem: ignorant, involves mitring the corners. Second, I expect the children to do their own books, at least from the time they reach the middle school. This point was made in my class today by a future useful citizen discussing points from “Dying to Know It’s” letter. Parents of younger children, to qualify as good parents (fortunate people!) have let themselves in for many little school jobs, as well i as bottling fruit Part of the penalty, and joy, of running a home. Third, book-covering does, encourage worth-while habits of care and orderliness in children. The brown: paper covering is often combined with some work in cover design, or decoration with pictures cut from Christmas cards. We notice the ; better over-all quality of children nurtured by those who share the school world in a spirit of critical cooperation.—Yours, etc, DOMINIE. February 13, 1963. Sir,—Sometimes I think it would be a good thing if we could return to the days when education was a privilege to be enjoyed by the few who could afford to pay for it Then we would not have to suffer people who resent having to cover a few exercise books. Truly, the grizzlers we have with us always. Would it ever occur to them to be thankful that in this day and land there is full education for all, free textbooks, free milk, free dental care, free medical checks, and people of gifts and intelligence in the community willing to teach the young? Never in your life! That would deprive them of their chief enjoyment in life—grumbling. As for the point at issue, surely the reason for covering books should be obvious even to a moron. A cover that becomes torn or dirty can be replaced by another and the book remains clean and neat until filled. A clean cover can be an incentive to a child to keep a clean book throughout. Books with school monograms can be covered with plastic. Oh, but I was forgetting; the few shilling involved would be anathema to your correspondents who managed to convey the impression that they resented having their children educated at all.— Yours, etc, TRAINED THEM TO COVER THEIR OWN. February 13, 1963.