LC 231 .P25 Copy 1 Class ^Q ^rj/ Book. GopjaigM^?.. CrOFiiRIGHT DEPOSflt COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES BY CLARENCE ARTHUR PERRY DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION RUSSELL SAGE FOUNDATION 130 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET NEW YORK CITY Recl48 1-17-20 7zr Copyright, 1916, by russell sage foundation / JAN -2 ISI7 WM'F. FELL CO- PRINTERS PHILADELPHIA JI.A453447 „. ^M. i PREFACE In compiling this handbook, the work of search- ing out activities and assembling references has been performed largely by Miss Marguerita P. Williams. Of this and valued assistance in editing and revising the manuscript the Author makes grateful acknowledgment. CONTENTS PAGE Introduction 9 Activities for Stated Spaces 15 Section I. Civic Occasions 24 II. Educational Occasions 35 III. Entertainments 40 IV. Handicrafts 56 V. Mental Contests 65 VI. Neighborhood Service 70 VII. Physical Activities 76 VIII. Social Occasions 89 IX. Club and Society Meetings 96 X. Voluntary Classes 104 Sample Programs HI Publishers' Names and Addresses 119 Index to Activities 125 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this handbook is to suggest activities for after-school occasions and to indicate sources of information about them. The material is arranged in such a way as to serve readily community-center officials who view problems of organization ob- jectively, who regard themselves as trustees of cer- tain spaces and facilities in a school building which they are to utilize for the enhancement of the neigh- borhood's common life. A director with such a viewpoint might deliberate thus: "Here we have an assembly hall, a kindergarten and a playroom to use. Let me see. . . . What I want to know is this : What things can be done in these spaces? Ot tne things that are possible, which do our people wish to do? Of the desired things, which can our stall handle? In general, where can I get ideas for pro- grams; where can I go for detailed information about all sorts of activities?" These questions-especially the first and the last— are those which this handbook is designed to answer. Following the Introduction, lists of practicable school-center activities are presented, arranged ac- cording to the spaces in which they can be carried on If a director wishes a check list of the various [9] INTRODUCTION kinds of activities available for a kindergarten he can turn to page 17 and find it. Such lists are provided for fourteen types of school-building spaces. Op- posite each activity is given the page upon which in- formation about it is set forth. The classification of the activities under "Civic Occasions," " Educational Occasions," " Entertain- ments/ ' etc., is not to be regarded too literally. Ob- viously, many activities which are educational are also entertaining, and many of a social character have civic aspects as well. If the various divisions facilitate reference they serve their main purpose. Of course, all the activities mentioned under a given head cannot go on in the stated space simul- taneously. In most instances, only one kind of activity can go on at a time in the space mentioned, but there are cases in which several can be combined in a single evening's program. Some of the activities suggested for certain spaces will seem odd to persons having in mind the accommodations of their own schools. The suggestions, for example, for corridor use, may seem incongruous to those in whose school buildings these spaces are narrow and dark. But to those acquainted with schoolhouses where the cor- ridors are wide and well-lighted — which is the case in many cities — the activities listed will not seem inappropriate. As a matter of fact, rooms of the same name vary greatly in schools throughout the country. In Milwaukee the assembly halls have movable seats, and basket ball and other vigorous games are regularly played in them, but in other [10] INTRODUCTION auditoriums such activities would be unthinkable. Accordingly, it is not claimed that all of the activi- ties mentioned are everywhere practicable in the spaces stated, but it is believed that the activities listed are all feasible in some of the rooms of the vari- ous types. This handbook does not pretend to furnish techni- cal information. Here and there bits are to be found. But since books already exist in which complete working instructions for the various activities are given, the effort here has been to put the reader in connection with the best of these sources. Care has been taken to ascertain that all of the books re- ferred to are now (at date of publication) in print, and since pamphlets usually have a briefer term of availability than bound volumes, references have been made to them in only a few necessary instances. With but two or three exceptions — such as the read- ing room or games room — the components of school- center occasions are always one or more clusters of people held together by some central activity in which all are participating or by which the attention of all is engaged. The theory therefore underlying this book is that community-center work consists mainly in organizing and developing group activities. This is accomplished in the several ways of giving accommo- dations to groups which already have leaders, of find- ing leaders for groups which have none, and of bring- ing people into group relations who are not already en- joying them. The activity is the cement which holds the individuals together in the group unit. Naturally [11] INTRODUCTION there must be a fairly close adaptation of the activity to the needs and capacities of its group if the relation- ship is to have even a short duration. A lecture that goes over the heads of the audience or for some other reason fails to interest, is a group-relation that has already begun to disintegrate. A school center does not operate under a compulsory-attendance law. If people attend, it is attraction that brings them. With some groups congeniality is the binding tie. Such will engage in any activity which is agreeable to the majority. Other groups cohere solely be- cause of the activity and in spite of personal uncon- genialities. The detection of the former groups is a matter of observation. The latter, on the other hand, are often latent and invisible, but they can generally be made to emerge into sight by dangling before the neighborhood a series of group-action opportunities. "How many would like to join a chorus if there were one? Or a dramatic club?" Bait of this character will sooner or later bring a "rise" from the interested ones and thus the ma- terial for the new group becomes distinguishable and ready for organization. To be a successful fisher for new groups a director does not need to be a skilled leader in all or even a majority of the main school-center activities. His job is that of setting other people in motion, and he does it not through the power of authority but through the power of knowledge and suggestion. Accordingly he does need certain kinds of knowl- edge about a large number of activities, such as the [12] INTRODUCTION kinds of physical or psychical satisfaction they af- ford, what classes of people they suit, the qualifica- tions required for leadership and among what types of people leaders may be found. He does not, for example, need to be an accomplished performer of folk-dances. But an acquaintanceship with the various kinds of folk-dancing, their distinctive values, what kinds of instrumental and spatial equipment they respectively require and where to look for qualified instructors will enable him to promote this activity in his center. Aside from his official staff the school-center director may find other helpers among two classes of persons, (1) those who have special knowledge or skill to impart, and (2) those with some gift of per- sonality, faith or enthusiasm. The former include dramatic coaches, dancing instructors, chorus di- rectors, drawing teachers and many others of the professional and craftsman classes. The latter are the reformers, the leaders of social movements and the many men and women of unusual public spirit or devotion to human welfare. The services of the former must usually be purchased with money, and with skilful management this expense can generally be placed directly upon the consumers. The second class of helpers receive their pay in prestige, the satis- faction of ambition, and various sorts of spiritual rewards. The moving spirit of a neighborhood im- provement association may boast of the amount of work for the community he is doing for nothing. In a monetary sense he may be stating a fact, but he is [13] INTRODUCTION overlooking the pleasure he receives from the con- sciousness of public service performed and from the larger influence and opportunity incidental to his connection with the organization. In every community there are many persons with genuine impulses toward altruistic activity. Of such are composed the large body of Sunday-school teachers and the volunteer leaders of social-settle- ment clubs. There is no reason why the same sources of leadership should not be more generally tapped by school-center officials. A little searching among suc- cessful lawyers, business men or college women will often discover an individual to whom the needs of a gang of boys or of a club of worthy but handicapped youths will make an irresistible appeal. In asking for the hour-and-a-half , one-night-a-week service for such a group the director will be oftenest successful if he presents his case squarely as a privilege and an opportunity to secure the rewards of unselfish ser- vice and the gratitude of growing human beings. No group will hold together long unless both leader and members get something out of the relation. Success in school-center engineering depends upon building group structures in which the mutuality of the benefit is real and clearly perceived by both of the composing elements. Since the activity is the point of contact for both leader and members, its selection becomes a matter of vital importance. Here is where this handbook comes in to do what it can. 14 ACTIVITIES FOR STATED SPACES ASSEMBLY ROOM Page CIVIC OCCASIONS 24 Forum 24 Memorial exercises 27 Mock city council 27 Mock legislature 28 Mock naturalization hear- ings 29 New citizens' receptions . 29 Patriotic celebrations ... 30 Public discussions 31 Receptions to officials ... 33 Society meetings (see list) 33, 96 EDUCATIONAL OCCA- SIONS 35 Conferences 36 Exhibitions 36 Lectures 36 Loan art exhibits 37 Talks 38 Welfare exhibits 38 ENTERTAINMENTS 40 Amateur nights 40 Cantatas 40 Choral singing 41 Concerts 42 Dialogues 42 Exhibition drills 42 Feature dancing 43 Festivals 43 Holiday celebrations .... 44 Impersonations 45 Lantern slides 46 Legerdemain 46 Masques 46 Minstrels 47 Monologues 47 Motion pictures 47 Musical sketches 48 Nights of all nations .... 48 Operettas 48 [15] Page ENTERT AINM ENTS (Continued) Pageants 48 Pantomimes 50 Readings 50 Rehearsals 50 Singing-society contests 50 Story-telling 51 Stunt nights 52 Tableaux 52 Theatricals 52 Vaudeville 54 Wax works 54 Welsh Eisteddfod bur- lesque 55 MENTAL CONTESTS. . . 65 Arithmetical calcula- tions 65 Checkers tournaments. . 66 Chess matches 66 Debates 66 Declamation contests ... 67 Dramatic-club tourna- ments 68 English -grammar con- tests 68 Essay competitions 68 Mock trials 69 Pronunciation matches . 69 Spelling bees 69 Story-telling contests . . 69 RECREATIONAL OCCA- SIONS If seats are movable, many activities men- tioned under Play- room, Physical Ac- tivities (q. v., page 20) can be carried on in the Assembly Room. ACTIVITIES FOR STATED SPACES Assembly Room (Continued) Page SOCIAL OCCASIONS. . . 89 Banquets 89 Celebrations 90 Charades 91 Dances 91 Fake athletic meet 92 Fortune-telling 92 Page SOCIAL OCCASIONS (Continued) Mock auction 92 Mock county fair 92 Parties (see list) 92 Party games (see list) . . 93 GYMNASIUM PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES Apparatus work Archery Athletic feats Bag-punching Ball games (see list) . . . Basket ball Boxing Calisthenics Drills Esthetic dancing Fencing Folk-dancing Games: See Ball, Mis- cellaneous and Sing- ing games Gymnastic competitions Jiu jitsu Miscellaneous games. . Races (see list) Roller-skating Singing games Tumbling Wrestling EDUCATIONAL OCCA- SIONS Exhibitions Lectures Loan art exhibits Talks Welfare exhibits 76 ENTERTAINMENTS 79 Many of the activities 79 mentioned under this 79 head for Assembly 80 Room (q. v., page 15) 80 can be carried on in a 81 Gymnasium if seats 82 and a platform are 82 available. 83 83 MENTAL CONTESTS . . 83 Checkers tournaments. 83 Chess matches Dramatic-club tourna- ments Mock trials 85 Pronunciation matches . 85 Spelling bees 85 Story-telling contests . . 86 87 SOCIAL OCCASIONS. . . 87 Banquets 88 Bazaars 88 Celebrations Charades Dances 35 Fake athletic meet 36 Fortune-telling 36 Mock auction 37 Mock county fair 38 Parties (see list) 38 Party games (see list) . . [16] 65 66 66 68 89 89 90 90 91 91 92 92 92 92 | 92 93 ACTIVITIES FOR STATED SPACES Gymnasium (Continued) Page MEETINGS 96 Athletic clubs 97 Boy Scouts 97 Boys' clubs 98 Camp Fire Girls 99 Page MEETINGS (Continued) Girl Scouts 100 Girls' clubs 101 Society meetings (see list) 33, 96 KINDERGARTEN CIVIC OCCASIONS Many of the activities mentioned under this head for Assembly Room (q. v., page 15) can be carried on in the Kindergarten if former is not avail- able. CLUB AND SOCIETY MEETINGS Alumni association .... Athletic clubs Boy Scouts Boys' clubs Camp Fire Girls Civic clubs Community-center as- sociation Dramatic clubs Fathers' club Girl Scouts Girls' clubs Mothers' club Musical organizations . Neighborhood improve- ment association .... Newsboys' club Parent-teacher associa- tion Society meetings (see list) Woman's club 2 EDUCATIONAL OCCA- SIONS 35 Conferences 36 Exhibitions 36 Loan art exhibits 37 Talks 38 Welfare exhibits 38 ENTERTAINMENTS ... 40 Concerts 42 Dialogues 42 96 Exhibition drills 42 97 Feature dancing 43 97 Impersonations 45 97 Lantern slides 46 98 Legerdemain 46 99 Masques 46 99 Minstrels 47 Monologues 47 100 Motion pictures (with 100 projector requiring no 100 booth) 47 100 Musical sketches 48 101 Nights of all nations ... 48 101 Pantomimes 50 102 Readings 50 Rehearsals 50 102 Story-telling 51 102 Stunt nights 52 Tableaux 52 102 Theatricals 52 Vaudeville 54 33 Welsh Eisteddfod bur- 103 lesque 55 [17] ACTIVITIES FOR STATED SPACES Kindergarten (Continued) Page HANDICRAFTS 56 Basketry 57 Bead work 58 Chair-caning 59 Crocheting 59 Dressmaking 59 Embroidery 60 Fancy work 60 Hammock-making .... 60 Knitting 61 Millinery 61 Raffia 62 Rug-making 62 Sewing 62 Wireless telegraphy. . . 63 MENTAL CONTESTS . . 65 Arithmetical calculations 65 Checkers tournaments. 66 Chess matches 66 Debates 66 Declamation contests . . 67 Dramatic-club tourna- ments 68 English-grammar con- tests 68 Essay competitions .... 68 Mock trials 69 Pronunciation matches. 69 Spelling bees 69 Story-telling contests. . 69 NEIGHBORHOOD SER- VICE 70 Better babies contests . . 70 Clinics 71 Cooperative buying .... 71 Information bureau. ... 72 School savings bank ... 73 Vocational guidance bureau 73 PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES 76 Athletic feats 79 Bag-punching 80 Ball games (see list) ... 80 [18 Page PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES (Continued) Boxing 82 Calisthenics 82 Drills 83 Esthetic dancing 83 Fencing 83 Folk-dancing 83 Games: See Ball, Mis- cellaneous, Singing and Table games Jiu jitsu 85 Miscellaneous games . . 85 Races (see list) 86 Singing games 87 Table games (see list) . . 88 SOCIAL OCCASIONS . . 89 Banquets 89 Bazaars 90 Celebrations 90 Charades 91 Dances 91 Fake athletic meet 92 Fortune-telling 92 Mock auction 92 Mock county fair 92 Parties (see list) 92 Party games (see list) . . 93 VOLUNTARY CLASSES 104 Art 104 Civics 105 Civil service 106 Current events 107 English for foreigners . . 107 First aid 108 Household science and art 108 Languages 109 Literature 109 Music 109 Naturalization qualifica- tions 110 ACTIVITIES FOR STATED SPACES CLASSROOMS CLUB AND SOCIETY Page MEETINGS 96 Agricultural clubs 97 Alumni association .... 97 Athletic clubs 97 Boy Scouts 97 Boys' clubs 98 Camp Fire Girls 99 Civic clubs 99 Community-center as- sociation 100 Dramatic clubs 100 Fathers' club 100 Girl Scouts 100 Girls' clubs 101 Mothers' club 101 Musical organizations . . 102 Neighborhood improve- ment association .... 102 Newsboys' club 102 Parent- teacher associa- tion 102 Society meetings (see list) 33 Woman's club 103 EDUCATIONAL OCCA- SIONS 35 Conferences 36 Exhibitions 36 Talks 38 Welfare exhibits 38 ENTERTAINMENTS ... 40 Dialogues 42 Impersonations 45 Lantern slides 46 Legerdemain 46 Minstrels 47 Monologues 47 Motion pictures (with projector requiring no booth) 47 [19 ENTERTAINMENTS Page (Continued) Musical sketches 48 Pantomimes 50 Readings 50 Rehearsals 50 Story-telling 51 Stunt nights 52 Tableaux 52 Vaudeville 54 Welsh Eisteddfod bur- lesque 55 GAMES 76 Ball games (see list) ... 80 Classroom games (see list) 82 Miscellaneous games (see list) 85 Races (see list) 86 Table games (see list) . . 88 HANDICRAFTS 56 Basketry 57 Bead work 58 Bent-iron work 58 Bookbinding 58 Clay modeling 59 Crocheting 59 Drawing 59 Dressmaking 59 Embroidery 60 Fancy work 60 Hammock-making .... 60 Jewelry-making 60 Kite-making 61 Knitting 61 Leather work 61 Millinery 61 Painting 62 Pyrography (leather and wood) 62 Raffia 62 ACTIVITIES FOR STATED SPACES Classrooms HANDICRAFTS (Continued) Page Rug-making 62 Sewing 62 Sheet-metal work 63 Stenciling 63 Wireless telegraphy ... 63 MENTAL CONTESTS . . 65 Arithmetical calcula- tions 65 Checkers tournaments. 66 Chess matches 66 Debates 66 Declamation contests . . 67 Dramatic-club tourna- ments 68 English-grammar con- tests 68 Essay competitions .... 68 Mock trials 69 Pronunciation matches. 69 Spelling bees 69 Story-telling contests . . 69 NEIGHBORHOOD SER- VICE 70 Better babies contests . . 70 Check-room 71 (Continued) NEIGHBORHOOD SER- VICE (Continued) Page Clinic for mothers and babies 71 Cooperative buying .... 71 Information bureau .... 72 Library station 72 Reading room 72 School savings bank ... 73 Study room 73 Vocational guidance bureau 73 VOLUNTARY CLASSES 104 Art 104 Civics 105 Civil service 106 Current events 107 English for foreigners . . 107 First aid 108 Household science and art 108 Languages 109 Literature 109 Music 109 Naturalization qualifica- tions 110 PLAYROOM PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES Archery Athletic feats Bag-punching Ball games (see list) . . . Basket ball Billiards Boxing Calisthenics Drills Esthetic dancing Fencing 76 PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES 79 (Continued) 79 Folk-dancing 83 80 Games: See Ball, Mis- 80 cellaneous, Singing 81 and Table games 82 Gymnastic competitions 85 82 Jiu jitsu 85 82 Miscellaneous games 83 (see list) 85 83 Races (see list) 86 83 Roller-skating 87 [20] ACTIVITIES FOR STATED SPACES Playroom (Continued) PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES Page (Continued) Singing games 87 Table games (see list) . . 88 Tumbling 88 Wrestling 88 EDUCATIONAL OCCA- SIONS 35 Exhibitions 36 Lectures 36 Loan art exhibits 37 Talks 38 Welfare exhibits 38 ENTERTAINMENTS Many of the activities mentioned under this head for Assembly Room (q. v., page 15) can be carried on in a Playroom if seats and a platform are avail- able. MEETINGS 96 Athletic clubs 97 Boy Scouts 97 MEETINGS (Continued) Page Boys' clubs 98 Camp Fire Girls 99 Girl Scouts 100 Girls' clubs 101 MENTAL CONTESTS ... 65 Checkers tournaments . 66 Chess matches 66 Dramatic-club tourna- ments 68 Mock trials 69 Pronunciation matches . 69 Spelling bees Story-telling contests 69 SOCIAL OCCASIONS ... 89 Banquets 89 Bazaars 90 Celebrations 90 Charades 91 Dances 91 Fake athletic meet 92 Fortune-telling 92 Parties (see list) 92 Party games (see list) . 93 EDUCATIONAL OCCA- SIONS 35 Exhibitions 36 Loan art exhibits 37 Welfare exhibits 38 HANDICRAFTS 56 Basketry 56 Bead work 58 Crocheting 59 Embroidery 60 Fancy work CORRIDORS HANDICRAFTS (Continued) Hammock-making .... 60 Knitting 61 Millinery 61 Raffia 62 Rug-making 62 Sewing 62 MENTAL CONTESTS . . 65 Arithmetical calcula- tions 65 Checkers tournaments . 66 [21] ACTIVITIES FOR STATED SPACES Corridors (Continued) MENTAL CONTESTS (Continued) p a ge Chess matches 66 English -grammar con- tests 68 Pronunciation matches . 69 Spelling bees 69 Story-telling contests . . 69 NEIGHBORHOOD SER- VICE 70 Information bureau 72 Library station 72 PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES 76 Athletic feats 79 Bag-punching 80 PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES (Continued) Page Boxing 82 Fencing 83 Folk-dancing 83 Jiu jitsu 85 Miscellaneous games (see list) 85 Races (see list) 86 Table games (see list) . . 88 Tumbling 88 Wrestling 88 SOCIAL OCCASIONS. Bazaars Dances , Party games (see list) 89 90 91 93 DOMESTIC-SCIENCE ROOM Cooking classes 106 Household - science classes 108 Refreshment service 94 Taffy pulls 94 LUNCH ROOM Banquets 89 Parties (Continued) Parties 92 Mother Goose party ... 93 Fortune-telling tea ... . 92 New Year's tea 92 Knickerbocker tea ... . 92 Refreshment service 94 Maize party 92 MANUAL TRAINING ROOM Aeroplane-making 57 Bent-iron work 58 Bookbinding 58 Chair-caning 59 Clay modeling 59 Jewelry-making 60 Pyrography (leather, wood) 62 Sheet-metal work 63 Stenciling 63 Wireless telegraphy 63 Wood-carving 63 Woodwork 63 [22] ACTIVITIES FOR STATED SPACES PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE Page Page Committee meetings 99 School savings bank 73 Information bureau 72 TEACHERS' ROOM Committee meetings 99 Small club and society Library station 72 meetings 33, 96 Small parties 92 SWIMMING POOL Swimming 87 Water sports 88 Basket polo 88 Find the coin 88 Find the plate 88 Keep the ball 88 Pull away 88 Races 88 Water sports (Continued) Water basket ball 88 Water hockey 88 Water polo 88 Water push ball 88 Water tag 88 Water tug-of-war 88 DISPENSARY Better babies contests .... 70 Clinics 71 First aid classes 71 Health talks 71 Little mothers' clubs 101 Mothers' club meetings. . 101 WHOLE BUILDING Alice in Wonderland so- cial 89 Amateur circus 89 Carnivals 90 Community contests 35 Community fairs 35 Community institutes .... 35 Exhibitions 36 Holiday celebrations 44 Jules Verne entertain- ment 46 Mock county fair 92 Team industrial contests . . 38 Trip around the world .... 94 Trip to the moon 95 Welfare exhibits 38 23 J CIVIC OCCASIONS Note. — In the following pages the full description of books — publisher's name, number of pages, price, etc. — is given only at the first reference. Each subsequent mention, however, is accompanied by the parenthesis " see p. — " giving the page where the descriptive information is to be found. The complete names and addresses of publishing firms are given on pages 119 to 123. Forum. — A place devoted to the systematic discus- sion of public questions. The most important factor in the success of this activity is the leader or director. This person should have a commanding personality, be a firm believer in democracy, and have a wide acquaintance with living issues and people capable of discussing them. The leadership should be continuous and not handed around to various committeemen. Only so can an impartial and respectful attitude be systematically inculcated in the audience. The tone of the occasion is usually fixed by the introductory remarks of the leader, but assistance in producing an atmosphere of dignity can also be obtained by means of appropriate music and an invocation. A short period of congregational singing from some such book as Social Hymns of Brotherhood and Aspiration, collected by Mrs. M. [24] CIVIC OCCASIONS H. B. Mussey (Barnes, 1914; 113 p. 35 cents a copy, $25.00 per 100), or from lantern slides pro- jected upon a screen, will accomplish this effect, and other aids which may be employed are special pro- grams by singing societies, orchestras, and other musical organizations. A piano can often be bor- rowed from a music firm if a suitable advertisement is given. George W. Coleman, the chairman of the "Ford Hall Sunday Evening Meetings," — as this notable Boston forum is denominated, — has written a series of invocations which are specially suited to non-sectarian occasions. They have been published under the title of The People's Prayers: As Voiced by a Layman (Griffith, 1914; 93 p. 50 cents). In the conduct of the forum, resolutions and mo- tions contemplating any sort of action or endorse- ment should be excluded. The ideal that the forum exists solely for the enlightenment and clarification of opinion, and not for action, should be held con- stantly before the audience. Some forums have, it is true, permitted resolutions, but this is a practice of doubtful wisdom in a public-school building. A large part of the interest in forum meetings comes from the feeling of freedom and the belief that no single agency is endeavoring to enforce its notions upon the community. Great care should therefore be exercised to select the topics and speakers so that the ideal of impartiality and of giving equal oppor- tunity to all sides will be constantly impressed upon the public. Questions over which strongly opposing views are held will naturally have the greatest draw- [25] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES ing power, and if the forum management consistently seeks equally able speakers on both sides it will re- tain both the confidence and the interest of the pub- lic. In the selection of speakers the effort should always be to secure those who by reason of special study, experience or ability have an authoritative standing in the field of the subjects they discuss. Here are some actual forum topics : The family and the moral crisis Working and owning for a living The discipline of struggle The United States: Pacemaker or Peacemaker? What work should give us besides bread Will democracy endure? After prison — what? Militancy and morals From absolute monarchy to pure democracy in industry Government intervention in idleness The expenses of some forums are met by voluntary subscriptions and collections, while others are en- dowed. At the outset it will ordinarily be possible to engage speakers without payment, but as time goes on it will be necessary to pay an honorarium, if worth-while lecturers are to be obtained. Forum meetings are usually not held oftener than once a week, and the hour is best determined by consulting local customs. Valuable hints regarding the practical conduct of forums may be obtained from the weekly periodical Ford Hall Folks (41 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Mass.; annual subscription $1.50), which reports [26] CIVIC OCCASIONS in full the meetings at Ford Hall. Further informa- tion regarding this forum is obtainable in the book Democracy in the Making, a symposium edited by its leader, George W. Coleman (Little, 1915; 332 p. $1.50). The Cooper Union forum, from which Ford Hall obtained its inspiration, was described by its founder, Charles Sprague Smith, in his book Working With the People (now out of print but accessible in many public libraries). Suggestions as to topics and sources of speakers may be obtained from pages 385- 395 of Wider Use of the School Plant, by Clarence Arthur Perry (Survey, 1913; 423 p. $1.25).* Memorial exercises. — Meetings in memory of prominent persons recently deceased or of catas- trophes having notable public consequences. The usual program includes appropriate music and formal addresses by distinguished persons. Sometimes an original poem is read by its author. Resolutions of sympathy for survivors are oftentimes passed and occasionally the first steps are taken in the raising of funds for relief or for some fitting memorial. These occasions offer opportunities for giving a note of dignity and seriousness to the community-center work. Mock city council. — An activity best suited to clubs of youths. The members of the clubs are allotted to various wards or municipal districts which they represent in a miniature common council. The officers ordinarily found in a municipal council are * Since going to press this book has gone out of print, but it will probably be found in many public libraries. [27] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES elected. After completion of the organization the council proceeds to propose and enact ordinances, appropriate funds, discuss civic improvements and transact the usual business of a city council. This activity affords its members excellent training in debating and an opportunity to acquire a valuable stock of civic information. Mock legislature. — In this activity, which is also adapted to a society of young people of high-school age, the various members are assigned to state as- sembly districts which they represent in a miniature legislative body. A speaker, clerk, sergeant-at-arms, and other appropriate officers are elected. The House then convenes, bills are proposed and debated, resolu- tions are offered, — all the varied transactions of a state legislature are carried on in imitation of the reality. A high-school instructor in civics ordinarily makes a good leader for this organization. The leader usually acts as the speaker of the House and in that capacity not only decides points of procedure but endeavors to hold the proceedings up to a serious and profitable level. This activity is called a mock congress when or- ganized in imitation of the United States Senate and House of Representatives. The mock congress may be set up purely for amusement. It is so described in a bulletin of the University of Texas (Extension series No. 45, March 25, 1914). As an entertainment it becomes only a one-evening affair. The House is then usually divided into two parties of nearly equal strength, the "Conservatives" and the "Radicals/' [281 CIVIC OCCASIONS with a few " Independents" whose votes are eagerly- sought by the opposing bodies. Both parties try to elect a chairman and vie with each other in attempts to pass bills and amendments, and the debates are the occasion of much fervid oratory. Mock naturalization hearings. — Exercises pat- terned after the hearings given in courts held for the purpose of determining the qualifications of aliens for citizenship. This dramatized form of civic instruc- tion can be used to vary the regular class work for immigrants, or it can form an evening's entertain- ment for the entire center. Before imitating such a hearing a director might well attend the local natu- ralization court and witness an actual proceeding. The hearings at the school center could then be mod- eled closely after the real affair. A pamphlet entitled The School and The Immi- grant (Publication No. 11, 1915; Division of Refer- ence and Research, Department of Education, City of New York) contains suggestions and a bibliog- raphy which will be found useful in efforts in behalf of the Americanization of foreigners. A booklet giving the information required to pass examinations for naturalization is Civics for Coming Americans, by Peter Roberts (Association Press, 1916; 52 p. paper, 15 cents). New citizens' receptions. — These exercises may take the form of either banquets or public meetings, or both. On one occasion at the Los Angeles High School, a banquet was tendered the new citizens of the preceding six months, by representative old citi- [29] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES zens, each of whom paid for two plates and sat down beside a new citizen as his guest. There were toasts and responses and patriotic music. At meetings held for the reception of the newly naturalized, they were called upon the platform to receive their certificates. Oftentimes these are handed out by the judge of the naturalization court, who thereupon extends the right hand of fellowship. Sometimes a small Ameri- can flag is presented with the certificate. Addresses are made by the mayor and a judge or some promi- nent citizen. The G. A. R. drum corps or the high- school orchestra plays patriotic music. These re- ceptions are given not only to the newly naturalized but to natives on becoming of age. They are some- times called First Voters' Receptions. A civic ritual entitled The New Citizenship, by Percy Mackaye (Macmillan, 1915; 92 p. paper, 50 cents), has been devised for use upon such occasions as these. Au- thority for its use may be obtained by addressing the author in care of his publishers. Patriotic celebrations. — Exercises appropriate to national and state holidays. In large cities on elec- tion nights and New Year's Eve special occasions are sometimes held in the school centers for the specific purpose of keeping children and young people off the crowded streets. The programs vary greatly in character. Patriotic songs, recitations, theatricals, tableaux, and addresses by public-spirited citizens are among the commoner features of these occasions. A series of books entitled Our American Holidays, edited by Robert H. Schauffler (Moffat, 1915; each [30] CIVIC OCCASIONS volume SI. 00, postpaid $1.12), is composed of nine volumes covering the following holidays: Arbor Day, Christmas, Flag Day, Independence Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, Washington's Birthday, and Mothers' Day. Each book contains two or three hundred pages of prose and poetry selections revealing the origin and sig- nificance of the day. Some State Departments of Education issue booklets to be used by schools in the celebration of Memorial Day and other holidays (see under Holiday celebrations, p. 44). The Cata- logue of Plays and Entertainments, for Schools, Dra- matic Clubs, Churches and All Amateur Theatricals (Flanagan), gives the titles of various books help- ful in arranging interesting and novel programs. Public discussions. — Open meetings for the con- sideration of matters of general neighborhood or municipal import. A forum (see p. 24) is an organ- ization for holding systematic public discussions but it generally specializes in questions of a controversial and universal character, while under this head there is contemplated those which have a more local refer- ence and a basis in facts rather than principles. Nearly every elementary-school center is the focusing point of a neighborhood in which matters affecting the welfare of all the inhabitants are continually arising, — for instance, difficulties connected with gar- bage collection and disposal, sewerage, fire-extin- guishing facilities, transportation arrangements, and school matters. In all these fields questions come up which can be wisely settled only after frank and gen- [311 COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES eral discussion. Very often some local organization such as the Taxpayers' Association, the Ward Im- provement Club or some other kind of civic group takes up matters of this sort. In that case the school center's function is the easy one of offering the hospi- tality of its assembly room, if indeed the organization is not already using it. Sometimes such groups are meeting in halls or private quarters not sufficiently large for a mass-meeting, so that the offering of the school auditorium would give them encouragement and assistance. If the center is in a high-school building, matters of more general import to the muni- cipality form the natural subjects for public discus- sion. Organizations for backing these occasions will be found among those devoted to public welfare of city-wide scope, such as the Public Education Asso- ciation, the Playground Association, Federated Im- provement Associations, or the Board of Trade. Public discussions can be facilitated during elec- tion periods by offering the school auditorium for political rallies under partisan auspices. If equal opportunity is given to all the parties no public criticism will usually arise. Sometimes a civic club will ask all of the opposing candidates to appear on its platform the same evening, thus giving the public a chance to size them up under uniform conditions. An alert watchfulness for occasions of general civic significance will tend greatly to increase the value of the center to its patrons. A handy manual for use in this connection is The Debater, Chairman's Assist- ant, and Rules of Order (Dick, paper, 30 cents). [323 CIVIC OCCASIONS Receptions to officials. — Gatherings of citizens to greet public servants. Receptions may be given to the mayor, aldermen, school commissioner, district attorney, chief of police or any other public official. Such receptions may occur either immediately after assumption of office or later, an especially opportune time being just after some important achievement by the official who is to be thus honored. The program usually includes remarks by the president of the asso- ciation under whose auspices the meeting is held, or by some other leading citizen secured for the purpose, who will also act as chairman. This is followed by a response from the guest of honor. Afterwards the citizens form in line and are received by him. Such an occasion gives the public an opportunity to show an appreciation of civic deeds of merit. It consti- tutes a fitting recognition of the official's enterprise and ability, and at the same time inspires him to commit himself to an even higher standard of duty. Society meetings. — There is a large number of voluntary organizations having activities beneficial to the public whose vigor and longevity can often be helped through the offer of a meeting place in the school building. Generally such organizations are willing to stand the expense involved, but it would be a wise public policy to allow the school authorities a special appropriation for this purpose. Those whose activities are allied to that of public education, such as parent-teacher associations, should certainly be given the use of school accommodations without charge. A school-center management which delib- 3 [33] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES erately seeks opportunities for getting these organiza- tions to meet in the school building will vastly in- crease the usefulness of its work. The organizations to which school privileges are often granted include the following: Alumni Association Associated Charities Chamber of Commerce Choral Society Civic Association Civic Federation D. A. R. Educational and Industrial Union Fortnightly Club G. A. R. Post Home and School League Ladies' Relief Corps Local Council of Women Neighborhood Association Parent-Teacher Association Playground Association Public Education Association School Extension Society Social Service League Social Settlement Twentieth Century Club Ward Improvement Associa- tion Woman's Club Woman's Municipal League [34] II EDUCATIONAL OCCASIONS* Community contests and Community fairs.— These events are described in Suggestions for Community Centers (Bulletin 26, 1914, Department of Educa- tion, State of Washington). They provide partic- ularly for exhibitions of rural school work. Either spring or fall is the time suggested and all of the ac- commodations of the school plant are called into service. Some time previous to the contest or fair the pupils are inspired to grow or to prepare pro- duce for exhibition. During the course of the fair contests are held in apple-paring, box-making, stock- judging, rope-tying, and other activities of an agri- cultural nature. In addition to the exhibits and con- tests there are outdoor sports, public addresses, parades, band music, picture shows and other enter- taining events. In other words, the events represent the old county harvest fair reduced to the propor- tions of a schoolhouse occasion. Community institutes. — This activity is also de- scribed in the bulletin referred to in the preceding paragraph. The institute consists of a single day's * See explanatory note at the beginning of section I, page 24. [35] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES program in which the forenoon is devoted to addresses and agricultural topics, the afternoon to judging stock, plotting gardens, and similar outdoor demon- strations, and the evening to music, illustrated lec- tures and other entertaining features. The subjects mentioned for institute purposes are: Good roads, libraries, marketing, health, high schools, courses of study, labor-saving devices for the home, live-stock breeding, co-operation, etc. Conferences. — Another name for a series of public meetings and discussions. The institute described in the preceding paragraph might be called a con- ference. Exhibitions. — Occasions for displaying the results of the activities of some organization. Exhibitions of school work are sometimes held, at which drawings, various articles of handicraft, sewing, cookery, pieces of furniture and other products of the pupils are dis- posed for display in various classrooms. Exhibitions may also consist of physical activities of school chil- dren, such as drills, dances and marches (see Ex- hibition drills, p. 42). Lectures. — Formal addresses by persons qualified by study or experience to speak upon a given topic. Professional lecturers of course require a fee. It is possible sometimes, however, to secure lectures gratuitously from persons who desire to render a public service. Many propagandistic organizations have persons in their employ accustomed to make public addresses, which are frequently of such a for- mal and instructive character as to go under the head [36] EDUCATIONAL OCCASIONS of lectures. If the occasion offers an opportunity for advancing the purpose of the organization the lec- turer may be engaged without other charge than his traveling expenses. The university extension de- partment of the state university generally main- tains a corps of lecturers whose services can be easily obtained for suitable audiences. Various social agencies possess lantern-slide collections which are loaned usually at the cost of transportation charges. Oftentimes a local speaker can use these borrowed lantern slides in giving an instructive illustrated lecture or talk. Some organizers of public lectures have the faculty of securing interesting addresses from people of local prominence in the professional or the business world who are not in the habit of doing much public speak- ing. The tendency of many untrained speakers is to be abstract and dull. A banker asked to talk upon " Banking as a profession," might be prosy and un- entertaining, whereas if he were given as his subject " Bankers I have known, and why they have suc- ceeded or failed," the probability is that if he kept to his topic his remarks would be unusually interest- ing. If speakers can be persuaded to impart actual experiences in concrete terms the result is usually entertaining. Further suggestions upon the organi- zation of public lectures will be found in Chapter 7 and Appendix A of the book Wider Use of the School Plant (see p. 27). Loan art exhibits. — Exhibits of paintings, draw- ings, etchings, tapestries, and bric-a-brac loaned [37] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES for the purpose by the owners. For such an exhibi- tion the director of a center can obtain considerable help from the supervisor of drawing, the art depart- ment of a high school, a society of artists, or a com- mittee of prominent persons. Sometimes magazine publishers will loan their collections of original draw- ings and cartoons. Groups having some local pres- tige will generally be more successful in persuading owners of valuable paintings and other objects of art to loan them than will any single school-center individual. If persons of artistic ability can be in- terested they can render great aid in arranging the exhibit so as to secure the best effects. Talks. — Addresses of less formal character than lectures. Usually less preparation is given to a talk than to a lecture. The references given as sources of lecture topics in the preceding paragraph on Lectures will be found useful in arranging talks. Team industrial contests. — Competitions between schools of a city, of a county, or of a state. The competing bodies are the manual-training depart- ments of high schools, and the subjects of competition are usually sewing, cooking, woodwork, and other industrial courses. A full description with rules for these contests is given on pages 13-14 of Suggestions for Community Centers (see p. 35). Welfare exhibits. — Charts, pictures, legends, panels and models especially devised for the graphic presentation of the facts obtained and recommenda- tions made as a result of a study or survey of social conditions. These exhibits are frequently arranged [381 EDUCATIONAL OCCASIONS by associations interested in public health and child welfare. Sometimes departments of health main- tain traveling exhibits which can be secured for school-center purposes. An increasing number of voluntary associations interested in such social wel- fare movements as prison reform, the prevention of tuberculosis, and the promotion of social hygiene are using the exhibit method, and school-center directors can often borrow valuable educational features for their schools through correspondence with these agencies. Practical advice about exhibits of this character can be obtained by addressing the Department of Surveys and Exhibits of the Russell Sage Foundation, 130 East 22d Street, New York City. An organization which makes a business of arranging and setting up such exhibits is the Na- tional Child Welfare Exhibit Association, Inc., 70 Fifth Avenue, New York City. [39 Ill ENTERTAINMENTS * Amateur nights. — This activity is suggested by the practice which has arisen in the vaudeville world of devoting an evening's program to numbers contri- buted by amateurs. The offerings usually include a variety of features, such as songs, banjo solos, clog dances, a monologue, a bit of legerdemain, a charac- terization, or some other entertaining stunt. The performances frequently take the form of a competi- tion, when at the close of the program the performers are brought on the stage, indicated in turn by the stage manager, and judged by the audience, which manifests its preference by the strength of its ap- plause. Cantatas. — Selections of cantatas suitable for school-center presentation can be made from the fol- lowing catalogues, which, besides giving a general description of each cantata, state the number of per- formers required, length of performance, and price of the vocal score. A Descriptive Catalogue of Operas, Operettas and Cantatas for Children, Juveniles and Amateurs (Schirmer) ; and the Catalogue of Plays and Entertainments (Flanagan). * See explanatory note at the beginning of section I, p. 24. [40] ENTERTAINMENTS Choral singing. — In the organization of choruses the selection of a leader is a matter of prime impor- tance, as upon him often falls the task of generating the interest of the patrons. The most enduring form of organization is that in which the members of the chorus compensate the leader either in the form of money or service. The musical director of a large church may be induced to conduct a chorus on week- day evenings on the understanding that the chorus sing at special occasions in his church. Choral sing- ing is sometimes called community-chorus work where the auditorium is devoted on Sunday after- noons to large groups or congregations engaged in singing popular and classic songs. Here fineness of musical effect is not so much aimed at as the conta- gion of musical enjoyment. A good text-book for elementary classes in chorus singing is the Popu- lar Method of Sight-Singing, by Frank Damrosch (Schirmer; 164 p. paper 50 cents, boards 75 cents). Other useful books are : Social Hymns of Brotherhood and Aspiration, a collection especially designed for public assembly use (see page 24) ; The Assembly Song Book, by Frank R. Rix (Barnes; 190 p. boards 60 cents, $45.00 per hundred); Eighteen Songs for Com- munity Singing (Birchard; 5 cents a copy, or $4.00 per hundred) ; A Collection of Patriotic Songs (Flana- gan; 10 cents a copy, or $1.00 per dozen) ; and Pan- Collegiate Collection of Songs (Witmark; 50 cents). Any standard hymn-book may also be used. Where a stereopticon is available songs may be written on lantern slides and thrown on the screen. A simple [41] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES method of producing lantern slides containing songs is to write directly upon the glass with a fine-pointed, stiff pen, using India ink. Putting a cover glass over the side containing the writing and binding the two together with binding tape is a very simple matter. Concerts. — Orchestral, banjo and mandolin, piano and phonograph concerts come under this head. Either amateur or professional talent may be em- ployed according to the resources of the management. Concerts are sometimes given gratuitously for the sake of the advertisement by the musical organiza- tions of large corporations. Local music teachers will often be glad to hold pupil recitals in the school- center for the sake of the publicity, but criticism might arise in case the audience was an invited one and the same privilege was not given to other music teachers. A novel old folks' concert entitled "The Mayflower Concert" is described on page 205 of Entertainments for Every Occasion, by Lucy C. Yendes and Walter F. A. Brown (Hinds, 1909; 261 pages, $1.38). Dialogues. — For list of dialogues consult the cata- logues published by Dick & Fitzgerald, and the Cata- logue of Plays and Entertainments (Flanagan). Exhibition drills. — These may consist of wand, dumb-bell and gymnastic drills by school children or young people. Boy Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, cadet companies, and other juvenile organizations often provide entertaining features of this character. An inexpensive handbook is Calisthenic Drills and Fancy Marching for the Class Room, No. 27R of [42] ENTERTAINMENTS Spalding Athletic Library (American Sports Pub. Co. paper, 25 cents). This Library also contains books on Dumb Bell Drills {No. 2U, 10 cents) ; Team Wand Drills (No. 16R, 25 cents); and others. A compre- hensive list of drills and marches is included in the Catalogue of Plays and Entertainments (Flanagan). Feature dancing.— Solo and group fancy dancing as features of an entertainment program. Some of the varieties are the clog, buck and wing, and athletic dances, which are best attempted by the boys and youths. Esthetic and interpretative dances are usually given by girls and youngwomen. An ordinary bit of solo dancing is sometimes given an additional attractiveness through the provision of a special costume in keeping with the nationality or other distinctive characteristic of the dance. Festivals.— The following books will be found valuable in organizing festivals for school centers: Festivals and Plays, by Percival Chubb and Asso- ciates (Harper, 1912; 403p.illus.$2.00). Prepared by the Festivals Committee of the Ethical Culture School of New York City. Contains specimen pro- grams for school use, and a general bibliography, as well as references on festival music and costumes. Folk Festivals; Their Growth and How to Give Them, by Mary Master Needham (Huebsch, 1912; 244 p. $1.25). A manual for school and civic bodies, con- taining ideas and plans for executing folk festivals. The Festival Booh; May-Day Pastime and the May- pole, by Jennette E. C. Lincoln (Barnes, 1912; 74 p. $1.60). [43] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES A Guide and Index to Plays, Festivals and Masques, for Use in Schools, Clubs and Neighborhood Centers, compiled by the Arts and Festivals Committee of the Association of Neighborhood Workers (Harper; 44 p. 25 cents). See also references under Pageants, p. 48. Holiday celebrations. — There is a growing practice in school centers of arranging special holiday pro- grams. Certain holidays such as Washington's and Lincoln's Birthdays, Memorial Day and New Year's Eve, lend themselves especially to community cele- brations. While Thanksgiving and Christmas are usually of a domestic character, even these days offer opportunities for some kind of appropriate ex- ercises. In practically all urban communities there are many people living in boarding-houses and away from their own family circles for whom a community celebration would have its appeal. A common fea- ture of a school-center Christmas celebration is that of a Christmas party at which there is a tree loaded with trinkets, and carols are sung, and Santa Claus takes part in the revels. Sometimes Yuletide frolics are held, in which scenes from the Merrie England days of "Good Queen Bess" are reproduced, when lords and ladies, servants, jesters and merry-makers appear in appropriate costumes upon the stage. School centers are also helping to revive the old cus- toms of placing candles in the windows on Christmas Eve and of sending out groups of singers who regale the neighborhood with Christmas carols. The references given under the head of Festivals [441 ENTERTAINMENTS in the preceding paragraph are useful in preparing holiday programs. To these may be added the fol- lowing: Our American Holidays, a series of nine volumes edited by Robert H. Schauffler (see p. 30). Festival Plays, by Marguerite Merington (Duffield, 1913; 302 p. illus. $1.25). One-act pieces for New Year's, St. Valentine's Day, Labor Day, Hallowe'en, Christmas, and a child's birthday. Holiday Plays, by Marguerite Merington (Duffield, 1910; 164 p. $1.25). A number of one-act plays suitable for the various holidays. Neighborhood Entertainments, by Renee B. Stern (Sturgis, 1910; 297 p. 75 cents). Gives suggestions for increasing social pleasures in rural communities, by both home entertainments and club affairs. Entertainments for Every Occasion (see p. 42). Further suggestions may be obtained from the chapter on Holidays in Social Activities for Men and Boys, by A. M. Chesley (Association Press, 1913; 304 p. $1.00). See also the Catalogue of Plays and En- tertainments (Flanagan). Arbor Day Annuals are published by the State Departments of Education of Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Nebraska, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin. The State Education Departments of the following states also publish pamphlets giving suggestions for various holiday celebrations: Colorado, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Washington, and West Virginia. Impersonations. — For suggestions as to subjects suitable for impersonations and hints upon the [45] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES method of impersonating, see Werner's Readings and Recitations, a series, especially No. 27, entitled Helen Potter's Impersonations (Dick; each number in series, paper 35 cents, cloth 60 cents). Jules Verne entertainment. — A form of entertain- ment in which the guests are taken upon a "Round the World Trip in Eighty Minutes.' ' This activity is fully described on page 195 of Entertainments for Every Occasion (see p. 42). Lantern slides. — Slides for use in stereopticons may be borrowed oftentimes from physicians, col- lege professors, people who have traveled extensively, state education departments, university extension departments, and various associations engaged in social-welfare activity. Sometimes the manufac- turers of stereopticons have large collections of slides for sale or for loan. Generally sets of lantern slides are owned by the lecturer who uses them, but many collections do exist which can be borrowed and successfully used by any person accustomed to public speaking. Legerdemain. — See Dick's 100 Amusements for Evening Parties, also The Parlor Magician, or One Hundred Tricks for the Drawing Room (Dick; each, paper 30 cents) ; and Simple Conjuring Tricks that Anyone can Perform, by Will Goldston (Lippincott; 35 cents). Masques. — This is a form of dramatic presentation in which dancing, pantomime and song are all com- bined. For suggestions see A Guide and Index to Plays, Festivals and Masques (see p. 44). [46] ENTERTAINMENTS Minstrels. — Suggestions about program and make- up, and material of every description for use in the presentation of minstrel shows, can be obtained from M. Witmark & Sons, Mail Order Department, 144 West 37th Street, New York City, and from Dick & Fitzgerald, 18 Ann Street, New York City. A useful handbook is The Witmark Amateur Minstrel Guide and Burnt Cork Encyclopedia, by Frank Dumont (Witmark, $1.00). For additional references see the catalogues of A. Flanagan Company and Samuel French. Monologues. — For lists of monologues consult the catalogues of the following publishers : Dick & Fitz- gerald, A. Flanagan Company, and Samuel French. Motion pictures. — The use of motion pictures as a regular form of entertainment necessitates the in- stallation of a permanent booth with suitable projec- tion apparatus using standard-sized films. For an occasional performance before a small audience it is possible to use a portable projection machine which takes a special film of such slow-burning composition that it is permitted by insurance underwriters and fire departments to be used in machines not housed in booths. Since the user of the latter machine is lim- ited to the library of films owned by its manufac- turers, it is well to inquire into the extent of their library and to consider well the amount of use motion pictures will have before installing such an outfit. For the maintenance of regular motion-picture ex- hibitions it is necessary to have not only the perma- nent booth and standard-sized machine but to em- [47] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES ploy a licensed operator and ticket-takers and to engage a film service. Oftentimes the school center director will find it advisable to organize a committee of business and professional men to assist him in the management of the enterprise. With skill and care, wholesome and attractive motion pictures can be furnished to a neighborhood on practically a self- supporting basis. Musical sketches. — For a list, see Catalogue of Plays and Entertainments (Flanagan) . Nights of all nations. — A series of four or five even- ings' entertainments devoted to activities character- istic of various foreign nations. Each evening's program is representative of a certain nation or group of nations, and the chief features are mono- logues, impersonations, feature dances, and music. The decorations of the hall are national in character. This activity is mentioned on page 28 of Social Activi- ties for Men and Boys (see p. 45). Operettas. — For suggestions see A Descriptive Cata- logue of Operas, Operettas and Cantatas for Children, Juveniles and Amateurs (Schirmer); and Catalogue of Plays and Entertainments (Flanagan). Samuel French and Oliver Ditson Company also catalogue a number of amateur and juvenile operettas. Pageants. — Pageants are ordinarily produced out of doors, but small affairs may be staged in fair- sized auditoriums. The school center may function best in the production of a large pageant by affording a place for organization and administration and for the rehearsing of the various episodes and interludes [48] ENTERTAINMENTS previous to the time of the final production. The following references will be found useful: The American Pageant Association aims to estab- lish a standard for pageant and festival work and serve as a clearing house for information in this field. Its scope includes all dramatic and festival activities of a distinctly community character. Associate members (annual dues, $1.00) receive all Bulletins and other material issued from time to time. The Secretary is Miss Virginia Tanner, 26 Arlington Street, Cambridge, Mass. Community Drama and Pageantry, by Mary Porter Beegle and Jack Randall Crawford (Yale University Press, 1916; 370 p. $2.50). A practical treatise on pageant staging, acting, grouping, music and dances, as well as the writing of the book of the pageant, and the work of organization. Full bibliography. Handbook of American Pageantry, by Ralph Davol, (Davol, 1914; 236 p. illus. $2.50). The philosophy and psychology of the pageant, its structural com- position, and detailed suggestions for presentation. Pageants and Pageantry, by Esther Willard Bates and William Orr (Ginn, 1912; 294 p. illus. $1.25). All the pageants are so divided that they may be given as a whole or as individual episodes. Six chap- ters on staging, costuming, organizing, and writing of amateur pageants and plays. Patriotic Pageants and Plays for Young People, by Constance D'Arcy Mackay (Holt, 1914; 223 p. $1.35). One-act plays for young people suitable for schools, summer camps, boys' clubs, historical festi- 4 [49] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES vals, social settlements and playgrounds. Each play deals with the youth of some American hero. Full directions for simple costumes, dances, and music. Plays of the Pioneers, by Constance D'Arcy Mackay (Harper, 1915; 174 p. illus. $1.00). Six pageant scenes, almost all of which have been acted as episodes in historical plays written and staged by the author, and are here altered to apply to any part of the country. Practical hints on music, sources, cos- tuming, and producing of pageants. Pantomimes. — For suggestions see The Booh of Tableaux and Shadow Pantomimes, by Sarah A. Frost (Dick, 180 p. paper 30 cents, boards 50 cents); Dick's Parlor Exhibitions (Dick, 160 p. paper 30 cents) ; and Shadow Pantomimes (French, 25 cents) . For additional references see Catalogue of Plays and Entertainments (Flanagan). Readings. — See the catalogues of the following: Dick & Fitzgerald, A. Flanagan Company, Samuel French, and Hinds, Hayden & Eldredge. Rehearsals. — School centers can increase their activities and do a useful service by offering their accommodations to amateur organizations for re- hearsal purposes. Voluntary choruses, orchestras, banjo, guitar and mandolin clubs, glee and dramatic clubs will often be glad to avail themselves of the use of a school room for rehearsal purposes. Singing-society contests. — Competitions between choral or singing societies. These competitions are often held among the German Gesangvereinen. An- other example is to be found in the Welsh Eisteddfod. [50] ENTERTAINMENTS These organizations suggest activities which might well be emulated in school centers. Story-telling. — A story-telling hour is a frequent and popular feature of school library or reading room activities. References: Art of Story-Telling: With Nearly Half a Hundred Stories, by Julia Darrow Cowles (McClurg, 1914; 269 p. $1.00). Some chapters are: Story-telling in the home; Why tell stories in school? How to choose stories for telling; The telling of the story, etc. Favorite Stories of the Library Reading Clubs, com- piled by Anna C. Tyler (New York Public Library, 1915; 18 p. 5 cents). Good Stories for Great Holidays, by Frances Jenkins Olcott (Houghton, 1914; 461 p. $2.00). A collec- tion of 120 stories arranged for story-telling. For the Story-Teller, by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey (Bradley, 1913; 261 p. $1.50). Suggestive especially to the inexperienced story-teller. Discusses various types and shows the special appeal of the beginning, the suspense element, the climax, the instinct story, dramatic story, and story with a sense appeal. Bib- liography. Some Great Stories and How to Tell Them, by Richard T. Wyche (Newson, 1910; 181 p. $1.00). Stories and Story-Telling, by Angela M. Keyes (Appleton, 1911; 286 p. $1.25). Contains 75 short stories for children. Stories to Tell Children, by Sarah Cone Bryant (Houghton, 1907; 243 p. $1.00). Contains 51 stories with some suggestions for telling. [51] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES Stunt nights. — For this activity each club or de- partment of the school center contributes some feature for the evening's program. As described on page 93 of Social Activities for Men and Boys (see p. 45), one club put on the Highland Fling in cos- tume, another gave a tableau, the glee club sang, and several other departments provided various stunts. Suggestions for stunts may be obtained from How to Amuse an Evening Party (Dick, 131 p. paper, 30 cents). Tableaux. — These are sometimes known as living pictures. Shadow pantomimes also come in this cate- gory. The subjects reproduced embrace historical scenes, reproductions of famous pictures, and statu- ary. Sometimes the tableaux illustrate a poem. Where electric-light connections are available it is not a difficult task to set up a frame on a stage which will act as a setting for the pictures. Lights can easily be set at the back and sides of the frame so as to illuminate the subjects presented. See references given under Pantomimes, page 50; also the books Tableaux Vivants, by J. V. Pritchard (French, 25 cents), describing eighty tableaux; Bethlehem Tab- leaux, by J. K. Chessire (Dutton, 1913; 102 p. illus. $2.00); and pages 227-240 of Neighborhood Enter- tainments (see p. 45). Theatricals. — Dramatic productions are offered in school centers by individual clubs or societies or by the young people of the center as a whole. These presentations are usually of interest mainly to the friends of the producing organization and their rivals. [52] ENTERTAINMENTS Sometimes the work of amateur talent affords en- joyment to a much wider public circle. In any case the presentation of plays, dramas, comedies and farces is a thoroughly worth-while activity for a school center. In some school systems the work is being greatly stimulated by allowing successful groups of players to put on their productions at other centers than the one where it was originally produced. Through an exchange system of this kind the large amount of labor connected with such a production is made to increase its radius of entertaining effi- ciency. The offer of the opportunity to give the play in other centers if it is successfully put on in the home center affords a strong stimulus to the players. The Drama League of America, 736 Marquette Building, Chicago, 111., publishes several lists of plays suitable for amateurs. Suggestions may also be ob- tained by consulting the catalogues published by Dick & Fitzgerald, the Dramatic Publishing Com- pany, A. Flanagan Company and Samuel French; and A Guide and Index to Plays, Festivals and Masques for Use in School, Clubs and Neighbor- hood Centers (see p. 44). A number of helpful books are : Costumes and Scenery for Amateurs, A Practical Working Handbook by Constance D'Arcy Mackay (Holt, 1915; 258 p. $1.75). Includes chapters on amateurs and the new stage art, costumes and scenery. Illustrations show the principal costumes needed for plays, pageants, and festivals for adults and children; also for the folk play, fairy play, his- [531 COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES toxical play, and romantic play. The scenes include indoor and outdoor sets, both mediaeval and modern. Educational Dramatics, A Handbook on the Educa- tional Player Method, by Emma Sheridan Fry (Mof- fat, 1913; 69 p. 50 cents). A guide for amateur actors, embracing the proper presentation of plays, stage business, etc. How to Produce Children's Plays, by Constance D'Arcy Mackay (Holt, 1915; 151 p. $1.20). Gives a history of the children's play movement, its socio- logical aspects and suggestions for new fields, with practical chapters on play producing, scenery, cos- tumes, and properties. Graded list of plays for pub- lic-school use, a list for special holidays, for out-of- doors, for settlements, for boys, for girls, and for group reading; also a list of helpful books for di- rectors. Neighborhood Entertainments, Chapter V (see p. 45). Plays for School Children, by Anna M. Ltitkenhaus (Century, 1915; 250 p. $1.25). A collection, with suggestions for their presentation, of twenty plays, pageants and pantomime stories selected from those given by the students of Public School No. 15, New York City. Townsend's Amateur Theatricals (Dick; paper, 25 cents). Vaudeville. — For suggestions consult the cata- logues of Dick & Fitzgerald, A. Flanagan Company, Samuel French, and M. Witmark & Sons. Wax works. — References: Mrs. Jarley's Far- Famed Wax Works (French; in four parts, 25 cents [54] ENTERTAINMENTS each, or in one volume, $1.25) ; and Dick's 100 Amuse- ments for Evening Parties, pages 100-122 (see page 46). Consult also the Catalogue of Plays and Entertain- ments (Flanagan). Welsh Eisteddfod burlesque. — Described on page 92 of Social Activities for Men and Boys (see p. 45). [55] IV HANDICRAFTS* The organization of handicraft classes consists es- sentially in connecting groups with leaders. Often this is happily accomplished by getting the prospec- tive instructor to give a preliminary talk upon the delightfulness and importance of his particular handi- craft. Ordinarily the expense of the instruction and supplies can be put upon the members of the class. The membership fees should be sufficient to re- munerate the leader and cover the cost of such ma- terial as needs to be purchased for all. Having each group self-supporting tends also to make the mem- bership more constant and of a more worth-while character. After paying their fees members will feel like continuing to the end. Classrooms can be util- ized for many of the handicrafts enumerated in the following pages. The principal protective require- ment is usually a board to cover the desk top. Of course at the close of the evening session all evidences of the work must be cleared away and special ar- rangements will have to be made for the storage of the material and utensils used, but with a little thought these difficulties can be obviated. * See explanatory note at the beginning of section I, p. 24. [561 HANDICRAFTS The increase in the number of crippled and par- tially maimed persons as a result of the European war has stimulated a special interest in crafts that are suitable for the bodily handicapped. A work designed to meet this need is Handicrafts for the Handicapped, by Herbert L. Hall and Mertice M. C. Buck (Moffat, 1916; illus. $1.50). Chapters are devoted to the following crafts : Baskets, woven and sewed; Chair-seating, cane and rush; Netting; Weaving; Bookbinding; Cement working; Pottery; Light blacksmithing. Under the various handicrafts listed below refer- ences are given to books which will be found helpful to teachers and pupils. Aeroplane-making. — Harper's Aircraft Book, by Alpheus Hyatt Ver- rill (Harper, 1913; 344 p. illus. $1.00). Why aero- planes fly; how to make models, and all about air- craft, little and big. Kitecraft and Kite Tournaments, by Charles M. Miller (Manual Arts Press, 1914; 144 p. illus. $1.00). Section on aeroplanes, gliders, etc. Basketry. — Basket Making, by T. Vernette Morse, in "How To Do It" series (Flanagan; 30 p. illus. paper, 25 cents). How to Make Baskets, by Mary White (Double- day; 225 p. $1.20). Industrial Work for Public Schools, by Martha A. Holton and Alice F. Rollins (Rand, 1904; 134 p. [57] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES illus. 90 cents), has a section on splint, rattan and raffia baskets. Inexpensive Basketry, by William S. Marten (Manual Arts Press, 1912; 44 p. illus. 25 cents). A teacher's manual on construction of coiled baskets. Practical and Artistic Basketry, by Laura Rollins Tinsley (Barnes, $1.00). The Art Crafts for Beginners, by Frank G. San- ford (Century; 1913; 270 p. illus. $1.29 postpaid). Has a section on basketry. The Handicraft Book, by Anne L. Jessup and Annie M. Logue (Barnes, 1913; 123 p. illus. $1.00). Gives instructions for basketry, chair-caning, cord, raffia and weaving. Bead work. — Bead Work, and 300 Designs for Bead Work, by T. Vernette Morse, in "How To Do It" series (Flanagan, illus. 25 cents each). Industrial Work for Public Schools and The Art Crafts for Beginners (see Basketry, p. 57) have sections on bead work. Bent-iron work. — Venetian Iron Work, by T. Vernette Morse, in "How To Do It" series (Flanagan, illus. 25 cents). Bookbinding. — Bookbinding for Beginners, by Florence O. Bean (School Arts Publishing Company, $1.25). The Art Crafts for Beginners (see Basketry, p. 57) has a section on bookbinding. [58] HANDICRAFTS Chair-caning. — The Handicraft Book (see Basketry, p. 57) in- cludes instruction in chair-caning. Clay modeling. — Clay Work, by Katherine M. Lester (Manual Arts Press, 1908; 94 p. illus. $1.00). How to Teach Clay Modeling, by Kellogg (Flan- agan; 63 p. linen, 25 cents). When Mother Lets Us Model, by Helen Mortimer Adams (Moffat; illus. 75 cents). A text-book for children on modeling. Crocheting. — Artistic Crochet, The Craft of the Crochet Hook, The Home Art Crochet Book, and The Modern Crochet Book, in the Home Art series, edited by Flora Klick- mann (Stokes; illus. 75 cents each). Drawing. — The Prang Company are publishers of art text- books for all grades of students, also A. Flanagan Company and Milton Bradley Company. Dressmaking. — Art in Dress, with Notes on Home Decoration, by Lydia Bolmar and Kathleen McNutt (Manual Arts Press, 35 cents), was prepared to meet the need in high schools and normal schools for a text on the fundamental principles of art in dress, millinery and home decoration. The Dressmaker (Butterick; $1.00, 75 cents to schools) covers all matters connected with sewing and dressmaking. [59] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES Embroidery. — Art in Dress, with Notes on Home Decoration (see Dressmaking, preceding paragraph) has a chapter on principles of design, color, etc., applied to em- broidery. Embroidery, by T. Vernette Morse, in "How To Do It" series (Flanagan, 40 p. illus. 25 cents). The Cult of the Needle, in the Home Art series, edited by Flora Klickmann (Stokes, 75 cents). Fancy Work. — Harper's Handy-Book for Girls, by Anna P. Paret (Harper, 1910; 348 p. illus. $1.50). Part one explains many things a girl can make for utility or adornment. The second part is occupied with arts and crafts — simple metal work, leather work, tapes- try, bead work, etc., including chapters on the art of enameling, jewelry-making, and block-printing. The third part explains an extensive variety of needle and fancy work. Hammock-making. — Practical and Artistic Basketry (see Basketry, p. 57) describes cord-work, including hammock-making. Jewelry-making. — Art Metalwork, by Arthur F. Payne (Manual Arts Press, 1914; 186 p. illus. $1.50). Educational Metalcraft, A Practical Treatise on Repousse, Fine Chasing, Silversmithing, Jewelry and Enameling, by P. Wylie Davidson (Longmans, $1.40). Harper's Handy-Book for Girls (see Fancy Work, above). [60] HANDICRAFTS Kite-making. — Kitecraft and Kite Tournaments (see Aeroplane- making, p. 57) treats of all kinds of kites, from the simplest to model aeroplanes. The Construction and Flying of Kites, by Charles M. Miller (Manual Arts Press, 1909; 32 p. illus. 25 cents). Knitting. — The Modern Knitting Book, in the Home Art series, edited by Flora Klickmann (Stokes, 75 cents). Leather work. — Leather Work, by Adelaide Mickel (Manual Arts Press, 1913; 53 p. 75 cents). The Art Crafts for Beginners (see Basketry, p. 57) has section on leather work. Millinery. — Art in Dress, with Notes on Home Decoration (see Dressmaking, p. 59) has a chapter on principles of design applied to millinery. Illustrated Milliner, a monthly trade publication (Illustrated Milliner Company; single copies 50 cents, annual subscription, $4.00). Used by some classes for its depiction of latest styles in hats and trimmings. Practical Millinery Lessons, by Julia Bottomley (Illustrated Milliner Company, 1914; 125 p. illus. $1.25). Ribbons Beautiful (Illustrated Milliner Com- pany, $1.00) describes and pictures the making of ribbon trimmings and novelties. [61] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES Painting. — For references see Drawing, p. 59. Pyrography (leather and wood). — Pyrography and Flemish Carving, by T. Verne tte Morse, in "How To Do It" series (Flanagan, 30 p. illus. 25 cents). The Art Crafts for Beginners (see Basketry, p. 57) has a section on pyrography. Raffia — The Handicraft Book and Industrial Work for Public Schools (see Basketry, p. 57) have sections on raffia. See also other references under Basketry. Rug-making. — Hand-Loom Weaving, A Manual for School and Home, by Mattie Phipps Todd (Rand, 1914; 160 p. illus. 90 cents). Sewing. — A Sewing Course for Teachers, Comprising Direc- tions for Making the Various Stitches and Instruc- tion in Methods of Teaching, by Mary Schenck Wool- man (Fernald, 1915; 141 p. illus. $1.50; with mount- ing book for practice pieces, $3.50). Harper's Handy-Book for Girls (see Fancy Work, p. 60). Needlecraft, by Erne Archer Archer, a volume in the Work and Play Library (Doubleday, $1.00). The Dressmaker (see Dressmaking, p. 59). The Sewing Book, by Anne L. Jessup (Butterick, [62] HANDICRAFTS 60 cents). Sewing and simple garment-making for primary and grammar grades. Sheet-metal work. — The Art Crafts for Beginners (see Basketry, p. 57) has a section on sheet-metal work. Working in Metals, by Charles C. Sleffel, a volume in the Work and Play Library (Doubleday, $1.00). Stenciling. — Needlecraft (see Sewing, p. 62) has a chapter on stenciling. Wireless telegraphy. — Harper's Wireless Book, by Alpheus Hyatt Ver- rill, in "Tell-Me-How" series (Harper, illus. $1.00). How to use wireless electricity in telegraphing, tele- phoning, and the transmission of power. Wood-carving. — Wood-carving, by Simmonds (Allen Bros., sold by Manual Arts Press; 50 cents). An elementary treatise with suggestions on chip-carving. Woodwork. — Box Furniture, by Louise Brigham (Century; 350 p. illus. $1.60). Carpentry and Wood Work, by Edwin W. Foster, a volume in the Work and Play Library (Doubleday, $1.00). Essentials of Woodworking, by Ira S. Griffith (Manual Arts Press, 1908; 190 p. 75 cents). A text-book for high schools and upper grades. [63] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES Jolly Book of Boxcraft, by Patten Beard (Stokes, 1914; 188 p. illus. $1.35). How to make the build- ings and furniture of Boxville, and games which the children can play. Manual Training Toys for the Boy's Workshop, by Harris W. Moore (Manual Arts Press, 1912; 111 p. illus. $1.00). A collection of 42 projects with working drawings, designed for upper grades of elementary schools. The Art Crafts for Beginners (see Basketry, p. 57) has a section on woodworking. [64] V MENTAL CONTESTS* Arithmetical calculations. — Sometimes called a "Cifering Match." As described on page 17 of Suggestions for Community Centers (see p. 35), this activity is run off much like a spelling match. Two leaders choose sides from among all the persons in the audience who are willing to participate in a rapid calculation contest. The examples used are con- fined to the four primary processes of addition, sub- traction, multiplication and division. The two last chosen go to the board first. A problem is given and both set to work. The one arriving at the correct answer first " turns down" his opponent. The win- ner then takes on another one from the opposing line, and has the privilege of selecting the rule of arith- metic in which the second contest will occur. If one person turns down three of his opponents in succes- sion, he takes a place in the reserve and may be called again after all of his colleagues are given a chance. In each dual contest the decision is given to the one calling out the correct answer first. The side which has a contestant remaining after all the people on the other side have been defeated wins. * See explanatory note at the beginning of section I, p. 24. 5 [65] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES Checkers tournaments. — These competitions may be inter-club, or inter-school-center.. As conducted in the New York school centers, each team consists of six persons and the minimum age limit is eighteen years. The winning team receives a champion- ship trophy. The second team also receives some kind of a reward. References: Hoyle's Games, by "Trumps" (Dick, cloth $1.25, boards 75 cents, paper 50 cents), a manual of all games of skill and chance. See Dick & Fitzgerald's catalogue "Useful Books" for titles of other works on checkers, chess and similar games. Chess matches. — References same as in preceding paragraph. Debates. — In addition to single debates there may be debating tournaments between clubs, school cen- ters or city school-center systems. References : Both Sides of One Hundred Public Questions Briefly Debated, by Edwin DuBois Shurter and Carl Cleveland Taylor (Hinds, $1.38). A handbook for debaters and all interested in literary or debating soci- eties. Under the questions are given the main lines of argument, affirmative and negative, all on present- day subjects, stated in concise propositions, which cover the issues on one side or the other. The ar- guments are followed by references. Debaters' Handbooks (Wilson, $1.00 each). Twenty-four titles including such subjects as woman suffrage, world peace, trade unions, income tax. They furnish the main arguments on both sides of the [66] MENTAL CONTESTS question, necessary historical dates, bibliography, briefs, etc. Debating for Boys, by William H. Foster (Stur- gis, 1915; 172 p. $1.00). Written especially for boys' clubs and Boy Scout organizations. Elements of Debating, by Leverett Samuel Lyon (University of Chicago Press, 1913; 136 p. $1.00). What debating means and how to do it; where to read for information; questions with suggested is- sues, and brief bibliography, together with a list of debating propositions. How to Conduct a Debate (Dick, 50 cents). A series of complete debates, outlines of debates and questions for discussion. Intercollegiate Debates in six volumes; Volume I edited by Paul M. Pearson, Volumes II-V by Egbert Ray Nichols (Hinds, $1.65 each). Each volume con- tains a number of complete debates. A large number of economic and governmental questions are covered. Pros and Cons, by A. H. Craig (Hinds, $1.65). A number of questions are fully outlined and in addi- tion the book contains chapters on how to organize a society and rules for governing debates, also a list of 250 questions for debate. The Manual of Debate, by Ralph W. Thomas (American Book Co., 80 cents). Declamation contests. — These contests may be inter-club, inter-center, inter-town, or inter-county. Rules for a county contest are stated on page 10 of Suggestions for Community Centers (see p. 35). References : Pieces that Have Taken Prizes in Speak- [67] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES ing Contests, by A. H. Craig, and New Pieces that Will Take Prizes in Speaking Contests, by Harriet Blackstone (Hinds, $1.38 each). The same publishers also put out College Men's Three-Minute Declama- tions and College Girls' Three-Minute Readings, by H. C. Davis ($1.10 each). Consult also the cata- logues of Dick & Fitzgerald and A. Flanagan Com- pany. Dramatic-club tournaments. — These are contests between dramatic clubs in the production of original plays. It is usually stipulated that the play may not require longer than twenty minutes for presentation and may be written by any member of the club. If many clubs enter the contest, one set of judges sees each of the plays produced at some central audi- torium and selects four of the best productions. Later these four ranking productions are presented, one after another, at a special occasion, and the final award is made by a committee of dramatic experts. At the final contest an admission fee may be charged and the proceeds used in meeting the expenses of the competition. English-grammar contests. — These are run off in the same manner as a spelling contest. Two sides are chosen and a series of incorrect sentences read off. Each contestant is asked to make the correction. Material for these contests may be assembled by consulting several standard grammars. Essay competitions. — This activity is described on page 126 of Social Activities for Men and Boys (see p. 45). See also Ogden's Skeleton Essays (Dick, 50 [68] MENTAL CONTESTS cents), a condensed treatise on popular subjects with suggestions as to enlarging them into essays. Mock trials. — References: Pages 44 and 94 of Social Activities for Men and Boys (see p. 45). Con- sult also the catalogues of Dick & Fitzgerald and A. Flanagan Company. Pronunciation matches. — Carried on like spelling matches except that the leader spells and the con- testants pronounce the words. Spelling bees. — Competition rules are given on pages 9-10 of Suggestions for Community Centers (see p. 35). Consult also page 127 of Social Activities for Men and Boys (see p. 45). Story-telling contests. — Described on page 27 of Social Activities for Men and Boys (see p. 45). The contest may take the character of a fake affair in which the effort is to see who can spin the most im- probable yarn, or it may be of the more intellectual type, in which there is an endeavor to tell the best story, whether humorous, pathetic, or thrilling. [69] VI NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICE* Better babies contests. — Competitions in which mothers enter their babies, the awards being based upon physical condition. A committee of physicians is usually organized to conduct the examination. Each infant is carefully weighed, measured, and ex- amined with a view to discovering all possible de- fects. The age limit may be from three months to five years. After a preliminary examination those who make over 90 or 95 per cent are re-examined to determine the five babies of first rank. As conducted in the New York evening recreation centers, the prizes consisted of bank-books, each showing a de- posit of ten dollars to the credit of the holder. The contest is an occasion for the dissemination of much valuable information among mothers in regard to feeding, clothing, and caring for their children, and a wide interest in the whole subject is stimulated. In the arrangement of such contests, assistance may be obtained from local and public health associa- tions, medical societies, social settlements, and milk committees. * See explanatory note at the beginning of section I, p. 24. [70] NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICE Check-room. — A place for checking hats, coats, wraps, and parcels. The ordinary schoolroom with its desk tops as spaces for laying the articles makes a practical place for this service, — one which is par- ticularly necessary during entertainments and social functions in other parts of the building. Clinics. — Dispensaries and classrooms of school buildings are now and then used as places for medical service and instruction, especially in connection with the ailments of children. A dental clinic is often the means of an important welfare service. During epi- demics the establishment of centers in school build- ings where medical advice and instruction can be given is a worth-while accomplishment. This ac- tivity is especially suitable for centers in which school dispensaries are located. Cooperative buying. — Neighborhood clubs may sometimes be brought together for the purpose of buying at wholesale rates certain needed supplies. Mothers' clubs, parent-teacher societies and tax- payers' associations are frequently interested in the matter of a community market. First aid. — Immediate service to the slightly wounded or ill can sometimes be rendered in school dispensaries. Instruction in first aid may also be given. See reference on page 108. Health talks. — A series of addresses on health sub- jects may often be arranged in school centers. This activity is especially helpful during a time of epi- demic or an unhealthy season. Assistance in getting up such a feature can be obtained from the local [711 COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES health department, medical societies, and nurses' associations. Information bureau. — Advice and information regarding employment, local regulations, industrial opportunities, real-estate conditions, naturaliza- tion, and matters of similar import can sometimes well be given in school centers. This activity is especially important in districts which customarily receive large numbers of foreigners and can well be administered by a person having a knowledge of several languages. Library station. — The use of a classroom, base- ment-room, or any suitable place as a branch of a public library. Such a station may be in charge of a trained librarian and open regular hours every day or on certain specified times of the week for the ex- change of books and the use of reference privileges. Reading room. — This activity is frequently a part of library-station work. In districts which are re- mote from public libraries and Y. M. C. A.'s, the establishment of a reading room is a distinct neigh- borhood benefit. Newspapers, periodicals, and refer- ence books may be obtained through donations from influential, public-spirited citizens. A systematic collection of discarded magazines and periodicals from members of the community will be likely to develop considerable material. An ordinary class- room can be used for this purpose, providing arrange- ments have been made to take care of the books and other property of the day pupils. This problem could be met by the installation of lockers for the pupils. [72] NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICE School savings bank. — Savings banks now exist in about 2,000 public schools, affording an excellent means for training children in habits of thrift. This movement is being promoted by many savings and loan associations. Page 310 in Helping School Chil- dren, by Elsa Denison (Harper, 1912; 352 p. $1.40), is devoted to an account of school savings banks. See also the Annual Report of the United States Com- missioner of Education, 1910, Volume I, page 137 (U. S. Bureau of Education). Study room. — A classroom set aside for the use of children who desire to prepare their home work at the school. This facility is especially helpful to chil- dren living in crowded districts, where the home con- ditions are unfavorable to study. Vocational guidance bureau. — A place where counsel is given to young people regarding life call- ings. School authorities and industrial and welfare organizations are giving increasing attention to the subject of occupational adjustments. The whole matter is still, however, fraught with such obstinate difficulties that persons qualified to give helpful counsel to individuals are scarce. Those who have given the subject special study are occasionally en- countered on the staffs of school boards and in the faculties of high schools and colleges, and among the members of social settlements and local charitable organizations. A vocational counsellor should be familiar with all classes of mental and physical char- acteristics, and have some knowledge of experimental [731 COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES psychology, as well as wide information upon the re- quirements of the various callings. A useful source of information upon certain occu- pations is to be found in the Vocational Monographs which form part of the published reports of the Cleveland (Ohio) Education Survey, which was car- ried on under the direction of Leonard P. Ayres. These monographs can be obtained from the Division of Education, Russell Sage Foundation, New York, at 25 cents each, and they comprise the following titles : Department Store Occupations; Boys and Girls in Commercial Work; Railroad and Street Transpor- tation; The Printing Trades; The Garment Trades; Dressmaking and Millinery; The Building Trades; The Metal Trades. Wage Earning and Education, by R. R. Lutz (50 cents) gives the gist of the various industrial studies conducted by the survey. Extensive studies of certain special trades, such as bookbinding, artificial flower-making and millinery, have been made by the Committee on Women's Work of the Russell Sage Foundation, 130 East 22nd Street, New York City, from which detailed information regarding these publications can be ob- tained. References to literature upon psychological tests can be found by consulting the files of the Journal of Educational Psychology (Warwick & York; yearly subscription $2.50), and the catalogue of its publishers. Other references are : Bulletins of the Vocation Bureau of Boston, Meyer Bloomfield, Director, 6 Beacon Street, Boston. [74] NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICE Profitable Vocations for Boys, by Eli W. Weaver (Barnes, 1915; 282 p. $1.00). Profitable Vocations for Girls, by Eli W. Weaver (Barnes, 1915; 212 p. 80 cents). Readings in Vocational Guidance, by Meyer Bloom- field (Ginn; 723 p. $2.25), is a collection of the most significant magazine articles, addresses, and other contributions to the literature of the subject, many of them not published elsewhere. Vocational and Moral Guidance, by J. B. Davis (Ginn, 1914; 303 p. $1.25). Vocational Guidance — The Teacher as a Counselor, by J. Adams Puffer (Rand, 1914; 306 p. illus. $1.25). Vocational Guidance of Youth, by Meyer Bloom- field (Houghton, 1911; 123 p. 60 cents). The National Vocational Guidance Association (W. Carson Ryan, Jr., Secretary, Bureau of Educa- tion, Washington, D. C.) has been formed for the purpose of cooperating with public schools and other agencies interested in the furtherance of this impor- tant movement. [751 VII PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES* The interrelated subjects of play and physical growth have in recent years received much attention from serious students of human welfare. The results of their labors have been found so acceptable by society that now the direction, standardization and develop- ment of games has become a highly specialized and important occupation. Experts in this field are able to offer us textbooks in which a large variety of sports and games are described in detail, their intricate points made clear by diagrams, and so well explained that by the aid of these handbooks many games can be successfully conducted by any intelligent novice. The following sources of information do not com- prise by any means all of the books in this field, but they have been carefully examined and seem to us the most useful ones for the purposes of those carry- ing on school-center activities. The presentation of these sources is in alphabetical order, and not that of rank. It would be impossible to make an arbitrary rating, as all four have individual excellences. Play: Comprising Ga?nes for the Kindergarten, Playground, Schoolroom and College; How to Coach * See explanatory note at the beginning of section I, p. 24. [761 PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES and Play Girls' Basket Ball, etc., by Emmett Dunn Angell (Little, 1910; 190 p. 52 illus. $1.50). The book contains : Chapters on The Value of Play, The Relation of Play to Gymnastics, Public Playgrounds, The Equipment of the Playground, The Director of the Playground, The Classification of Games — Primary and Kindergarten, Grammar, High, College; and How to Teach Games. Jump the Shot; 34 Ball Games; 19 Tag Games; 11 Racing Games; 23 Miscellaneous Games; 7 Individual Games; 9 Schoolroom Games; 8 Games in the Water. Chapter on Basket Ball for Women: The Coach— The Center— The Guard— The For- ward — Team Work — Officials and Players. Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gym- nasium, by Jessie H. Bancroft (Macmillan, 1909; 456 p. 23 illus. $1.50). Table of contents: Introduction — To the Teacher of Games. Counting-out; Choosing Sides; Who's "It"? Miscellaneous Active Games — Quiet Games — Feats and Forfeits — Singing Games. Balls and Bean Bags : a. Specifications for Balls, Bean Bags, and Marking Grounds, etc. b. Bean Bag and Oat Sack Games, c. Ball Games. Indexes : Games for Elementary Schools, First to Eighth Years. [77] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES Games for High Schools. Games for Playgrounds, Gymnasiums, and Large Numbers. Games for Boys' and Girls' Summer Camps: a. Active Games, b. Quiet Games. House-party and Country-club Games: a. Active Games, b. Quiet Games. Games for Children's Parties: a. Active Games, b. Quiet Games. Seashore Games. Alphabetical Index. Education by Plays and Games, by George E. John- son (Ginn, 1907; 234 p. illus. 90 cents). Table of contents: Introduction by G. Stanley Hall. Part 1. — The Theory, History, and Place of Play in Education. Chapter I — The Mean- ing of Play; II — Play in Education; III — The Periods of Childhood and their Relation to a Course of Plays and Games. Part 2. — A Suggestive Course of Plays and Games. Period One (Ages 0-3) — Period Two (Ages 4-6) — Period Three (Ages 7-9)— Period Four (Ages 10-12)— Period Five (Ages 13-15). Bibliography — Index. Spalding Athletic Library (American Sports Pub. Co.). The titles in this library cover practically the whole range of indoor and outdoor games and ath- letics. They come in two forms of paper-covered booklets, one series costing ten cents postpaid, and the red-cover series (indicated by "R" following the [78] PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES number) costing twenty-five cents postpaid. A com- plete catalogue may be obtained by addressing the publishers. The Playground and Recreation Association of America, 1 Madison Avenue, New York City, deals directly with the problems of public recreation. It keeps in touch with the recreation development throughout the country and serves as a clearing house for information. It publishes The Playground ($2.00 per year, 25 cents per copy), a monthly maga- zine devoted to play and public recreation, and a large number of pamphlets on all phases of the recre- ation movement. Apparatus work. — Physical exercises which are carried on in connection with gymnastic apparatus. As a rule, it is not safe to offer this activity without the assistance of a skilled instructor. Aside from the danger in the use of apparatus without expert direc- tion, it is impossible to obtain the best physical re- sults if special instruction is not afforded. Much specific information regarding exercises suitable for different pieces of apparatus can be obtained from various booklets of the Spalding Athletic Library (see preceding page). Archery. — This is usually an out-door sport, but it can be carried on in a large gymnasium or long corridor. For references see page 157 of Johnson's Education by Plays and Games (see p. 78), and No. 43R of the Spalding Athletic Library (see p. 78). Athletic feats. — Athletic contests and various forms of wrestling matches, races and miscellaneous [79] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES feats are described on pages 245-254 of Bancroft's Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymna- sium (see p. 77). Bag-punching. — Full instructions are given in How to Punch the Bag, No. 191 of the Spalding Athletic Library (see p. 78). Ball games. — The invention of soft balls, such as the basket ball, volley ball and indoor baseball, has made it possible to enjoy indoors a wide variety of active games. Hitherto play of such a vigorous na- ture was largely limited to the open air. All the games in the list below are suitable for indoor use. Ban- croft's Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium (see p. 77) describes twenty-three of these games which are practicable in classrooms with fixed desks. These latter are easily distinguishable because preceding the description of each game as given by Bancroft a statement is made of the number of players required and the space — such as play- ground, gymnasium, schoolroom or parlor — for which the game is suitable. Angell's Play (see p. 76) also devotes a section to schoolroom games. In the fol- lowing list, references to the books described on pages 76-78 are made by giving the authors' names, except in the case of the Spalding Athletic Library, when " Spalding" is used to indicate it. Those starred ( * ) are feasible in classrooms having fixed desks and seats. 80 PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES Game *Arch Ball Babylonian Ball ♦Balloon Ball ♦Blind Target Bombardment Captain Ball Captain Basket Ball Center Base ♦Circle Ball Circle Dodgeball Corner Ball Corner Keep Ball Crackabout Crowd Ball Curtain Ball Dodgeball, Circle Dodgeball, In- formal Dodgeball, Pro- gressive Drive Ball Emperor Ball Fist Ball ♦Fox and Squirrel Hand Ball Horse and Rider Human Target Indoor Baseball Keep the Ball Kick Ball Kicking Baseball References Bancroft p. 321 Johnson p. 212 Bancroft p. 325 Johnson p. 107, 172 Angell p. 94 Angell p. 61 Bancroft p. 334 Angell p. 85 Bancroft p. 338 Johnson p. 212 Angell p. 88 Bancroft p. 354 Johnson p. 161 Angell p. 56 Bancroft p. 356 Johnson p. 107 Bancroft p. 364 Angell p. 83 Bancroft p. 359 Johnson p. 171 Johnson p. 211 Bancroft p. 360 Johnson p. 171 Angell p. 69 Angell p. 73 Bancroft p. 361 Bancroft p. 364 Angell p. 59 Bancroft p. 363 Johnson p. 172 Bancroft p. 366 Bancroft p. 375 Johnson p. 172 Bancroft p. 346 Bancroft p. 376 Bancroft p. 93 Bancroft p. 380 Spalding No. 13 Angell p. 94 Angell p. 72 Angell p. 58 Spalding Official Annual No. 9 Angell p. 78 Johnson p. 172 Angell p. 80 Angell p. 71 Game Line Football Medicine Ball Mount Ball Name Ball Newcomb Nine-court Bas- ket Ball One-goal Basket Ball One Old Cat ♦Overtake Parlor Hockey Pass Ball Pass Ball Relay Pin Ball Pin Football Plug Ball Ring Ball ♦Round Ball School Ball ♦Schoolroom Cap- tain Ball ♦Schoolroom Dodgeball ♦Schoolroom Vol- ley Ball Scrimmage Ball Spud Ball Square Ball Stool Ball Straddle Ball References Angell p. 74 Angell p. 54 Johnson p. 210 Bancroft p. 387 Johnson p. 210 Angell p. 63 Johnson p. 213 Spalding No.41R Bancroft p. 388 Angell p. 75 Johnson p. 108 Bancroft p. 393 Spalding No. 43R Angell p. 63 Bancroft p. 395 Angell p. 92 Spalding No. 43R Angell p. 91 Angell p. 68 Johnson p. 174 Bancroft p. 401 Johnson p. 109 Johnson p. 108 Bancroft p. 353 Bancroft p. 369 Bancroft p. 402 Angell p. 64 Johnson p. 211 Bancroft p. 404 Johnson p. 171 Bancroft p. 404 Bancroft p. 406 Angell p. 60 Straddle Pin Ball Angell p. 61 Swat Ball Angell p. 79 Tether Ball ♦Toss Ball Touch Ball Two Old Cat Volley Ball ♦Zigzag, Circle ♦Zigzag, Line Bancroft p. 409 Spalding No. 43R Bancroft p. 412 Angell p. 57 Johnson p. 109 Angell p. 89 Bancroft p. 413 Johnson p. 213 Spalding No. 43R Bancroft p. 419 Bancroft p. 421 Basketball. — References: Angell's Play (see p. 76) contains a chapter on "How to coach and play girls' basket ball. ,, Full instructions are given in the Handbook of Athletic Games for Players, Instructors 6 [81] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES and Spectators, by Jessie H. Bancroft and William Dean Pulvermacher (Macmillan, 1916; 627 p. $1.50). In the Spalding Athletic Library series (see p. 78), are the following handbooks: No. 7, Spalding's Official Basket Ball Guide; No. 7 A, Spalding's Offi- cial Women's Basket Ball Guide; and No. 198, How to Play Basket Ball. Regulations covering tourna- ments between clubs and school centers are to be found in Spalding's Public Schools Athletic League Official Handbook, No. 813. The price of each book- let is ten cents. Billiards. — For a discussion of the value of billiards and pool-table features see pages 222-229 of The Church and the People's Play, by Henry A. Atkinson (Pilgrim Press, 1915; 259 p. $1.25). A catalogue describing the regulation-size billiard tables may be obtained from The Brunswick-Balke-Collender Com- pany, 623-633 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, 111. Catalogues for smaller sized tables are issued both by the above-named firm and by the E. T. Burrowes Company, Portland, Me. Boxing. — References: Pages 214-216 of Johnson's Education by Plays and Games (see p. 78) ; and Box- ing, No. 25R of Spalding Athletic Library (see p. 78). Calisthenics. — The Spalding Athletic Library (see p. 78) contains a number of handbooks on calis- thenics, among them No. 22R, Indian Clubs and Dumb Bells and Pulley Weights. For other titles see paragraph below on Drills. Classroom games. — Those starred (*) under Ball games (p. 80), Miscellaneous games (p. 85) and [82] PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES Races (p. 86) have all been devised with a view to their use in classrooms having fixed seats. Ten pages of Harry Sperling's The Playground Book (Barnes, 1916; 105 p. illus. $1.80) are devoted to classroom games, many of those described being among those referred to above. Drills. — The Spalding Athletic Library (see p. 78) includes the following: No. 214, Graded Calisthenics and Dumb Bell Drills (ten cents) ; No. 10R, Single Stick Drill; No. 16R, Team Wand Drill; and No. 27R, Calisthenic Drills and Fancy Marching for the Class Room (each 25 cents). Esthetic dancing. — JSsthetic Dancing, by Emil Rath (Barnes; 28 illus. $1.60), contains the most valuable dance steps and movements, carefully graded and clearly described. Fencing. — The Spalding Athletic Library (see p. 78) has the following books on this subject: No. 11R, Fencing Foil Work Illustrated, and No. 30R, The Art of Fencing (each 25 cents). Their publishers carry a complete line of fencing supplies. Folk dancing. — This delightful activity generally requires a trained instructor. Oftentimes the desire to form a class can be aroused by bringing in someone who has had special training in folk dancing for an introductory talk and demonstration. A skilful teacher can put a new class through several simple folk dances in a single evening. After this demon- stration the formation of a class will not be difficult, and as a rule the members will be willing to contribute in fees the compensation required by the instructor. [83] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES References: For a general discussion of the value of folk dancing, see The Healthful Art of Dancing, by Luther H. Gulick (Doubleday, 1910; 273 p. illus. $1.40). For books containing descriptions of folk dances, together with the music and directions for their performance, consult the following: By Elizabeth Burchenal. — Dances of the People (Schirmer; paper $1.50, cloth $2.50) contains 27 folk dances with music and directions. Dances of the People, a second volume of folk dances and singing games (Schirmer, 1913; 83 p. illus. paper $1.50, cloth $2.50), contains 27 folk dances of seven coun- tries. Folk Dances and Singing Games (Schirmer, 1910; 92 p. paper $1.50, cloth $2.50) gives 65 dances, many of them used in the Public Schools Athletic League of New York City. Folk Dances of Denmark and Folk Dances of Finland (Schirmer, 1915; 95 and 87 p. respectively; illus. each, paper $1.50, cloth $2.50) contain 73 Danish and 65 Finnish dances. Folk-Dance Music, by Elizabeth Burchenal and C. Ward Crampton (Schirmer, 1908; 54 p. paper $1.00, cloth $2.00), is a collection of 76 char- acteristic dances of various nations. By C. Ward Crampton. — The Folk Dance Book (Barnes, 1910; 82 p. $1.60) contains music and descriptions of folk dances used in the New York City public schools. The Second Folk Dance Book (Barnes, 1913; illus. $1.60). By Caroline Crawford. — Folk Dances and Games (Barnes, 1909; 82 p. $1.60) contains 39 folk dances of various nations, with music and instructions. [841 PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES Dramatic Games and Dances for Little Children (Barnes, 1914; 77 p. illus. $1.60) contains music and full directions, well illustrated. By Cecil J. Sharp. — The following books by this author are all on the folk dances of England. The Country Dance Book, in four parts (Novello : Ameri- can agent for all these books, Gray; 1909; each part, paper SI. 25, cloth $1.75). Country Dance Tunes, with Pianoforte Accompaniment, in eight sets, two sets to accompany each part of the Country Dance Book (Novello ; 75 cents each set) . The Morris Book, A History of Morris Dancing, with a Description of Dances as Performed by the Morris-men of England, in five parts (Novello, 1912; each part, paper $1.25, cloth $1.75). Morris Dance Tunes, with Pianoforte Accompaniment, in ten sets (Novello, 1912; $1.00 each), give the music for the Morris dances described in The Morris Book. The Sword Dances of Northern England, in three parts (Novello, 1912; each part, paper $1.25, cloth $1.75), and The Sword Dances of Northern England — Songs and Dance Airs, in three parts (Novello, 1912; each part $1.00); the first set is descriptive of the dances and the second set gives the songs and dance airs for these dances. Gymnastic competitions. — Reference: Official handbook of the I. C. A. A., Gymnasts of America, No. 335 in the Spalding Athletic Library (see p. 78), price ten cents. Jiu jitsu.— Reference : Jiu Jitsu, No. 21R in the Spalding Athletic Library (see p. 78), price 25 cents. Miscellaneous games. — These include various [85] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES games in which running, throwing and catching are combined. Those starred (*) are suitable for class- rooms with fixed desks. Game ♦Bean Bag Boston Bull in the Ring ♦Catch the Cane ♦Changing Seats Drop the Hand- kerchief Duck on the Rock *Faba Gaba Fox and Chick- ens Hill Dill References Bancroft p. 303 Johnson p. 142 Angell p. 133 Angell p. 110 Bancroft p. 56 Bancroft p. 62 Bancroft p. 63 Angell p. 139 Bancroft p. 80 Bancroft p. 81 Johnson p. 170 Bancroft p. 304 Johnson p. 110 Angell p. 142 Bancroft p. 124 Angell p. 126 Bancroft p. 105 Game ♦Kaleidoscope ♦Last Man ♦Old Man Tag Prisoner's Base ♦Quoits ♦Ring Toss ♦Schoolroom Tag Siege Tenpins Test Mettle Three Deep Cir- cle Tommy Tiddler's Ground References Bancroft p. 122 Bancroft p. 126 Bancroft p. 142 Angell p. 102 Bancroft p. 157 Johnson p. 160 Johnson p. 174 Spalding, No. 167 Johnson p. Ill Bancroft p. 172 Johnson p. 177 Bancroft p. 174 Johnson p. 212 Johnson p. Ill Johnson p. 214 Angell p. 114 Bancroft p. 196 Bancroft p. 197 Races. — With the development of indoor athletics a large number of contests involving short runs have been devised. Some of those which are suitable for school, gymnasium and playground are given here- with. Those starred (*) can be played in classrooms having fixed seats. The references are to the books described on pages 76 to 78. Race References Race All-up Indian ♦Circle Seat Relay Club Race Spalding No. 314 ♦Double Relay ♦All-up Relay Bancroft p. 45 Race ♦Automobile Race Bancroft p. 48 ♦Hopping Relay ♦Bag Pile Bancroft p. 303 Race Basket Ball Goal Human Burden Race Angell p. 77 Race Bancroft p. 329 Jumping Race ♦Bean Bag Relay Bancroft p. 312 ♦Blackboard Re- Knapsack Race lay Bancroft p. 53 Leap Frog Race Chariot Race Angell p. 121 ♦Mark Game Race Johnson p. 169 Medicine Ball Circle Relay Bancroft p. 70 Pursuit Race 86 References Bancroft p. 71 Bancroft p. 76 Bancroft p. 106 Angell p. 120 Bancroft p. 117 Johnson p. 169 Angell p. 124 Angell p. 122 Angell p. 150 Angell p. 124 Johnson p. 210 PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES Race References Race References Obstacle Race Angell p. 120 Potato Spoon Johnson p. 169 Race Bancroft p. 155 n t> ii t> i ti ex one *Serpentine Race Johnson p. 177 Pass Ball Relay Bancroft p. 395 Shuttle Relay Bancroft p. 173 *Potato Race Angell p. 117 Straddle Ball Bancroft p. 151 Race Angell p. 118 Johnson p.' 167 *Wand Race Bancroft p. 202 Wheelbarrow Potato Shuttle Race Angell p. 123 Relay Bancroft p. 154 Johnson p. 169 Roller-skating. — Reference : Roller-Skating Guide, No. 282 in the Spalding Athletic Library (see p. 78), price ten cents. Singing games. — Activities of this nature are en- joyed usually only by small children. In most cities young children are not admitted to school centers evenings but they are in some places — especially in the congested districts. Bancroft's Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium (see p. 16) gives a section, on pages 261-293, to singing games, many of them being accompanied by the music. Mari R. Hofer's Children's Singing Games — Old and New (Flanagan; 42 large p. illus. 50 cents) contains 39 singing games, complete with words, music and di- rections for playing. See also two works by Kate F. Bremner, A Book of Song Games and Ball Games, and More Song Games (Barnes; former, 40 p. $1.40; latter, 42 p. $1.60). Swimming. — Reference: At Home in the Water, by G. H. Corsan (Association Press, 1914; 197 p. illus. $1.00), devotes a section each to swimming, diving, life saving, water sports and natatoriums. How to Swim, No. 37 R in the Spalding Athletic Library (see p. 78), price 25 cents. [871 COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES Table games. — Under this head come such games as bagatelle, checkers, chess, dominoes, fox and geese, lotto, parchesi, ping pong, solitaire, and tit- tat-toe. References: Hoyle's Games, by " Trumps," (see p. 66), is a manual of instruction for checkers, chess, dominoes, dice, backgammon and billiards; also card games. How to Amuse an Evening Party (see p. 52), and Fireside Games (Dick; paper, 30 cents) . Tumbling. — References: Tumbling for Amateurs, No. 56 R in the Spalding Athletic Library (see p. 78), price 25 cents. Water sports. — The following water sports, which are purely recreative and may be played without special training, are described on pages 155-161 of Angell's Play (see p. 76) : Find the coin, find the plate, keep the ball, pull away, water basket ball, water push ball, water tag and water tug-of-war. Corsan's At Home in the Water (see p. 87), in a chap- ter on Water Sports, describes a variety of races, and water polo, basket polo and water hockey. All of these can be arranged for the school natatorium. Wrestling. — References: Pages 179-180 of John- son's Education by Plays and Games (see p. 78). Wrestling, No. 18R, and How to Wrestle, No. 44R in the Spalding Athletic Library (see p. 78), each 25 cents. [88] VIII SOCIAL OCCASIONS* Alice in Wonderland social. — This entertainment, described on pages 89-90 of Social Activities for Men and Boys (see p. 45), and devised to make more attractive the annual Y. M. C. A. "Open House," can well be adapted to school-center occa- sions for acquainting the public with its activities. The guests are presented on their arrival to the " King and Queen of Hearts" seated on a throne, and the building throughout is transformed by decorations into a real Wonderland; the guests are waited upon by Alice's friends, — the March Hare, the Cheshire Cat, the Cook, the Duchess, and many others, — who preside over the exhibit rooms, the Mad Tea Party, the concert given by the musical organiza- tions, the gymnasium affairs, the aquatic meet in the Pool of Tears, and similar features of the evening. Amateur circus. — "How to Promote and Conduct an Amateur Circus," forms a section (pages 69-78) in Social Activities for Men and Boys (see p. 45). Banquets. — Suggestions for a variety of banquets and dinners are given in Social Activities for Men and Boys (see p. 45), pages 31-34, and elsewhere in the * See explanatory note at the beginning of section I, p. 24. [89] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES book. Ideas and suggestions for the conduct of dinners, luncheons, and teas are a leading feature of Entertainments for Every Occasion (see p. 42). Bazaars. — Novel ideas for bazaars are to be found in Entertainments for Every Occasion (see p. 42). Among the various kinds described are a cake sale; children's fair; old-time market; pedlers' parade, and strawberry regale. In Neighborhood Entertain- ments (see p. 45), there is a chapter on ''Money- making Entertainments, " pages 279-289, which de- scribes a Japanese fete, a Dutch fair or "Kirmess" and a German coffee party. Carnivals. — As described in Suggestions for Com- munity Centers (see p. 35), this activity is much like a country circus. Side shows and various fea- tures are assigned to groups of young people. The musical talent of the community is set to work upon a minstrel show. Among the entertaining functions are such things as a fish pond, where people are given poles and lines to fish for various packages; a picture gallery; biggest man in the world; candy and peanut venders; songs and tales; scales which over-weigh; fortune tellers; races, and various forms of " take- offs." Celebrations. — Parties or entertainments in honor of some event or occasion. Holiday celebrations which have already been described (see p. 44) are generally of a patriotic type. In the celebration of New Year's Eve and Hallowe'en, the occasion takes on more of a social character and various forms of parties and other entertaining activities are in order. [90] SOCIAL OCCASIONS Suggestions for celebrations may be found in Enter- tainments for Every Occasion (see p. 42), and in Social Activities for Men and Boys (see p. 45). Charades. — References : Frost's Dramatic Proverbs and Charades, Frost's Parlor Acting Charades, and Dick's Parlor Exhibitions (Dick; each, paper, 30 cents); Comic Charades, Parts I and II, by Stanley Rogers (French, 40 cents each); Neighborhood En- tertainments (see p. 45); and Indoor Games and Socials for Boys, by G. Cornelius Baker (Associated Press, 200 p. illus. 75 cents). Dances. — Social dancing parties are to be dis- tinguished from public dances. The former consti- tute a finer type of entertainment, since in them dancing becomes a vehicle for social life rather than an end in itself, as is too apt to be the case in public dancing. In a dancing party the enjoy ability is en- hanced by the fact that those selected for the occa- sion are generally bound by ties of association or acquaintanceship. To give variety, dancing parties may take different forms, among which the following are suggested: the Colonial dance, in which the minuet is a prominent feature; the contest dance, in which a prize is given to the couple dancing most gracefully; old-style dances and music set off against new-style; the old-fashioned dance; the funny dance, such as the scarecrow boys' costume dancing; costume dances, such as the black-and-white dance, in which all the costumes are confined to these two colors; and the "leap year dance/' in which the ladies invite the gentlemen to be their partners. [91] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES Fake athletic meet. — This activity is well de- vised for getting new members acquainted with each other. It consists of such events as a twenty-yard dash, carrying an egg in a teaspoon from start to finish; the running broad grin, in which the con- testants stand facing the audience with an unchang- ing smile; the continuous glum event, in which the contestants try to stand before the audience without smiling while the latter guys them; the changeable horse laugh, etc. This entertainment and variations of it are fully described on pages 47, 87 and 122 of Social Activities for Men and Boys (see p. 45). Fortune-telling. — This may be a feature of a so- cial, or a fair or bazaar. For list of books giving in- structions consult the catalogue of Dick & Fitz- gerald. Mock auction. — In which packages containing inexpensive " take-off' ' articles are sold to the highest bidder. Described on page 273 of Neighborhood En- tertainments (see p. 45). Mock county fair. — In imitation of the traditional county fair in which booths are set up and various sorts of exhibits put in. Described on page 88 of Social Activities for Men and Boys (see p. 45). Parties. — Entertainments for Every Occasion (see p. 42), in a chapter on Miscellaneous Dinners and Parties, pages 131-208, describes the following par- ties, which can be adapted to school-center occasions: Bloomer social, Children's parties, Fortune-telling tea, Knickerbocker tea, Maize party, the Milk- maids' recreation, a New Year's tea, a Peanut party, [92] SOCIAL OCCASIONS and the Queen's reception. Neighborhood Entertain- ments (see p. 45) gives the following: Travel party, page 245; Music-club social, page 250; Mother Goose party, page 253. Social Activities for Men and Boys (see p. 45) contains a long list of activities suitable for social occasions. Parties suitable for boys' clubs are described in detail in Indoor Games and Socials for Boys (see p. 91). Another book offering practical suggestions for entertaining small clubs is Social Entertainments, by Lillian Pascal Day (Moffat, 138 p. illus. $1.00). Original entertain- ments are suggested for each month in the year, and their respective holidays. Party games. — The following party games are de- scribed in Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium (see p. 77); Animal Blind Man's Buff; Baste the Bear; Beast, Bird, or Fish; Blind Bell; Cat and Rat; Crambo; Do This, Do That; Ex- change; Follow the Leader; Going to Jerusalem; Jacob and Rachel; Kaleidoscope; Menagerie; Ob- servation; Railroad Train; Stage Coach; Wee Bologna Man; The Beater Goes Around, or Whip Tag; Trades, A Game of Pantomime; Find the Ring. A section (pp. 254-258) is given in the above book to Forfeits. In Fireside Games (see p. 88), the following party games are described: Cat and Mouse; Copenhagen; Dutch Concert; The Elements; Hunt the Hare; The Huntsman; Philharmonic Concert; Twirl the Trencher; Trades, a Game of Pantomime; Catch the Ring. Games suitable for parties are to be found also in Indoor Games and Socials for Boys [93] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES (see p. 91); Entertainments for Every Occasion (see p. 42); Neighborhood Entertainments (see p. 45); and Social Activities for Men and Boys (see p. 45). Refreshment service. — After meetings and social affairs light refreshments are sometimes offered. These will vary with the occasion and the facilities for serving them. Entertainments for Every Occasion, pages 207-208 (see p. 42), and pages 176-181 of Indoor Games and Socials for Boys (see p. 91), give various suggestions. Taffy pulls. — A party, generally held in a domestic- science room or school kitchen, devoted to candy- making. When Mother Lets Us Make Candy, by Elizabeth and Louise Bache in "When Mother Lets Us" series (Moffat, 75 cents), gives recipes for sweets from simplest to most complicated varieties. Trip around the world. — As described in Sugges- tions for Community Centers (see p. 35), this enter- tainment for rural neighborhoods consists in having the patrons ride around from house to house, at each of which a different form of entertainment is given. The first stop may be England, where persons dressed in English garb give a program of selections from Kipling, Dickens, or Shakespeare. Other houses represent other lands, as for instance, France, Italy, India, and Japan; and offer an appropriate program. This activity is susceptible of many ingenious forms and could be adapted to a school center by having the various entertainments in the different class- rooms. The starting point in the lobby might be called the Grand Terminal Station and criers an- [94] SOCIAL OCCASIONS nouncing the departure of steamers could set the different parties in motion. Trip to the moon. — As described on page 91 of Social Activities for Men and Boys (see p. 45), this consists of a sort of panoramic exhibition, with many taking part in character costume. The entire build- ing may be used, and as each party is conducted through the halls they come in contact with demons and various nondescript animals. Gusts of wind from electric fans, and flashes of lightning from elec- tric lights and strong reflectors, varied with thunder from a tin sheet and bowling balls, form some of the interesting features of the trip. Among the sights are the River Styx (the swimming pool), with small boat to ferry travelers over; the Chamber of Groans (a room full of giants), and Saturn's Den (a room filled with caged animals) ; Moon Pathway (corridor of good paintings) ; Delmonico's (refreshments) ; and Moon Station (gallery of pretty girls). For further suggestions see the book. [95] IX CLUB AND SOCIETY MEETINGS* One of the easiest ways of increasing the volume of school-center work is that of systematically ex- tending hospitality to voluntary associations. Since these societies largely take care of themselves they add little to the expense or administrative burden of the center. Their activity usually proceeds from two or three moving spirits. Many such dyna- mic individuals exist in every community and often it requires only a word to hitch them to a cause and surround them with a following. Then comes the question of where the new organization, once it is formed, can meet, and this frequently is a problem hard to solve satisfactorily. The searching, enter- prising director who suggests to such leaders the open door of the schoolhouse can thus aid materially in the building up of a new and important associa- tion. The following list includes the names of societies which are found in neighborhoods and often have their meeting-place in the school building. Where they do not now exist they may be cultivated by dropping a suggestion in the ears of potential leaders * See explanatory note at the beginning of section I, p. 24. [96] CLUB AND SOCIETY MEETINGS and initiators of such groups. Their respective ac- tivities are so well known that little needs to be said regarding them. A few hints are given as to sources of leadership. Agricultural clubs.— Groups of boys and girls brought together for the purpose of pursuing some phase of rural-life activity. Among the subjects in which these clubs are interested may be mentioned corn-growing, hog-raising, canning, bread-making, sewing and home-making. Bulletins and pamphlets describing the organization and the conduct of these clubs may be obtained from the extension depart- ments of state colleges of agriculture, state boards of agriculture, state normal schools, and the United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Alumni association. — A group of former graduates bonded together for the purpose of promoting the various interests of the school. While alumni as- sociations do exist at some elementary schools, they are found in greater virility at high schools and col- leges. Any old graduate of the school who lives in the neighborhood and feels a desire to forward its inter- ests makes a potential leader of an alumni associa- tion. Athletic clubs. — Groups of young people associa- ted together for the purpose of pursuing some cer- tain indoor or outdoor form of sport. These are a very common type of organization and are easily set in operation. Boy Scouts. — While most of the scout activities 7 [97] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES take place in the out-of-doors, the headquarters for scout patrols and local councils may well be afforded in school centers. For information regarding the formation and conduct of Boy Scouts, address the Boy Scouts of America, 200 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Boys' clubs. — References: Books for Boys and Workers among Boys (Association Press; paper, 25 cents), is a valuable bibliography of books for those working with boys as well as for boys themselves. Guide to the Conduct of Meetings, by George T. Fish (Harper; 190 p. 50 cents), aims to teach young people by practice in a novel and entertaining manner the principles essential to the management of all public gatherings where a knowledge of parliamentary usage is needed. Boys' Clubs, by Charles S. Bernheimer and Jacob M. Cohen (Baker, 1914; 136 p. $1.00), is a practical guide for the club leader. Brief discus- sions on boy psychology, value of the club, its leader and his problems, and girls' clubs, are followed by suggestions for conducting club work. Contains a brief parliamentary guide, lists of themes for debates, topics for discussions, subjects for literary meetings, declamations and plays, a model constitution, etc. Boys 1 Self-governing Clubs, by Winifred Buck (Mac- millan, 1903; 218 p. 50 cents), sets forth the knowl- edge gained from personal experience with boys' clubs. It contains many concrete suggestions for the club director. Boy Life and Self-government, by G. W. Fiske (Association Press, $1.00), discusses such problems as boy life in the light of the race life, the [98] CLUB AND SOCIETY MEETINGS boy and his instincts, his struggles for character, the epochs of boyhood and youth, clubs for boys, by- laws of boy leadership, the boy's home and the boy's religion. Camp Fire Girls. — A kindergarten or a classroom with movable seats makes a good meeting place for Camp Fire Girls. For information address the Camp Fire Girls of America, 461 Fourth Avenue, New York City. Reference : Book of the Camp Fire Girls (Camp Fire Girls, 1915; 128 p. illus. 25 cents) contains information about the organization in general, its emblems, costumes, ceremonies, and honors. The revised edition gives the latest information concern- ing " business honors" and the organization of local camp fires. Civic clubs. — Associations of women and some- times of men and women, as well as young people, having the purpose of improving local conditions by means of an awakened civic spirit. Suggestions as to programs and lines of activity may be found in the printed matter of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. For lists of publications apply to Mrs. Mary I. Wood, Bureau of Information, General Federa- tion of Women's Clubs, Portsmouth, N. H. Other suggestions may be obtained by addressing the Amer- ican Civic Association, 913-914 Union Trust Build- ing, Washington, D. C, and the monthly periodical The American City (Civic Press, $3.00 per year). Committee meetings. — Committees or associa- tions already meeting in the schoolhouse or even those not located in the building may sometimes be [99] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES accommodated in the principal's office or some class- room. Temporary groups of citizens are sometimes called provisional committees, etc. They may well be accommodated in the school center. Community- center association. — A society organ- ized for the specific purpose of carrying on or assist- ing in the maintenance or conduct of community centers. Such a body would naturally meet in the center. As a means of obtaining much voluntary co- operation through committees and as a method of securing an adaptation of the center activities to the neighborhood needs, this association is important. It will not last long if not given real work to do and work which it can do successfully. Such an associa- tion often has committees on club work, motion pictures, social dancing, the use of the building, finances and membership. Dramatic clubs. — Societies devoted to the study of the drama or to the production of plays and dramas. A leader or a coach may oftentimes be found in the person of some retired actor or actress, or an instructor of English in a high school or college. Fathers' club. — An association of parents who are especially interested in local school affairs. Such clubs frequently exercise a continuous oversight in regard to the physical arrangements and hygienic conditions at the school, and are active in plans for new buildings or facilities, and any other matter affecting the local education facilities. Girl Scouts. — An organization for girls similar to the Boy Scouts of America. For information address [100] CLUB AND SOCIETY MEETINGS Girl Scouts, Inc., 17 West 42nd Street, New York City. Girls' clubs. — Conducted in much the same way as boys' clubs. Leaders for these clubs may be found among teachers, kindergartners, and college women. For references see some of those given under Boys' clubs, page 98. Little mothers' clubs. — Groups of girls upon whom falls much of the care of younger brothers and sisters. Conducted in some cities by nurses' committees or the health department; and may also be organized and run by school nurses. Mothers' club. — A society found in many schools, which generally meets in the late afternoon in the kindergarten room, and is often organized by the kindergartner. The organization and conduct of mothers' clubs is fully described in Home and School, by Mrs. Mary Van Meter Grice (Sower; 154 p. 60 cents) . See also Chapter II of Wider Use of the School Plant (see p. 27), and Programs and Loan Papers for Mothers' Associations issued by the Mother's Maga- zine (Cook; free pamphlet). The Mother's Magazine (Cook; yearly subscription $1.50) also publishes for free distribution a pamphlet entitled A Key to Child Training and Complete List of Books for Child Study, by M. V. O'Shea (Cook). Information regarding the organization of mothers' clubs may be obtained from the Personal Service Bureau of this magazine and from the National Congress of Mothers and Parent- teacher Associations, 910 Loan and Trust Building, Washington, D. C. The official organ of the National [101] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES Congress is The Child-Welfare Magazine (Child- Wel- fare Company; yearly subscription $1.00). Another source of information is The Children's Bureau, U. S. Department of Labor, Washington, D. C, which will send free of charge on request copies of its publi- cations. Musical organizations. — Banjo and mandolin clubs, glee clubs, choral societies, orchestras, drum corps and brass bands may be encouraged to meet at the school center by offering places for rehearsal. These organizations can frequently be started by finding a leader and helping to secure members, and may usually be made self-supporting. Neighborhood improvement association. — This is a common form of the taxpayers' association, com- posed of residents of the neighborhood who are in- terested in all kinds of physical and public-service improvements. Sewers, transportation, street light- ing, educational facilities, and mosquito extermina- tion are some of the matters which concern this form of association, for which the school center is a logical meeting-place. Newsboys' club. — A society of newsboys banded together for social, recreation and educational pur- poses. Leaders may be sometimes found among pub- lic-spirited college men, school teachers, or Y. M. C. A. men. Parent-teacher association. — A society composed of parents and teachers interested in all that con- cerns children. For references see those given under Mothers' club, page 101. [102] CLUB AND SOCIETY MEETINGS Society meetings. — See paragraph under this head on page 33. Woman's club. — Organizations of this well-known type have more often been the promoters of school- center activities than the beneficiaries of them. New women's clubs are, however, constantly arising and growing in importance. There is no intrinsic reason why a woman's club which originated in a school center should not grow into an independent body having its own quarters and identity apart from the school center. Embryonic organizations of this kind will be helped by the following sources of information regarding parliamentary procedure and programs: Club Woman's Handybook of Programs and Club Management, by Kate L. Roberts (Funk; 194 p. 75 cents). Complete Club Book for Women, and Work and Pro- grams for Women's Clubs, two books by Caroline French Benton (Page, each $1.25). Practical Programs for Women's Clubs, by Alice Hazen Cass (McClurg; 168 p. 75 cents), suggests programs on Home Economics, Social Philanthropy, Education, Public Health, Art, Music, Travel, etc., with bibliography for each program. The Woman's Manual of Parliamentary Law, by H. R. Shattuck (Lothrop; 75 cents). 103 X VOLUNTARY CLASSES* The activities to be considered in this section are organized in much the same way as the handicraft activities described in section IV. Both contemplate groups of persons who have voluntarily come to- gether for study or training of a more or less sys- tematic character. These classes, in respect to for- mality and seriousness, lie somewhere between the night school and the club. The classes under this head are made up generally of somewhat older per- sons than those in the handicraft groups. They are also more apt to be mixed as to sex. Wherever three or four individuals are found who have a serious interest in some form of intellectual improvement, there is the material for a voluntary class. With a nucleus of several persons having a similar interest, others can usually be found without much difficulty. Transforming a club into a working organization is then accomplished by finding a leader. Such clubs by means of fees will ordinarily be able to recompense their leader and even provide for any incidental expenses. Art. — The purpose of the class may be the study of * See explanatory note at the beginning of section I, p. 24. [1041 VOLUNTARY CLASSES the history or appreciation of the graphic arts or may be that of training for the practice of painting, sketching, etching, sculpturing, photography, or any other form of graphic art. Instructors for such groups can generally be secured somewhere among the artists of the community or the art department of the high school or the local college. The leader will be best able to suggest whatever textbook is used. The Prang Company, A. Flanagan Company, and Milton Bradley Company are well-known pub- lishers of art textbooks for all grades of students. Civics. — The study of governmental institutions is of interest both to foreigners who are taking out naturalization papers, and to all persons, young and old, who wish to become active in civic reform. Leadership for such groups may be sought among Y. M. C. A. men and in the faculty of the local high school or college. Sometimes young lawyers will undertake this service. References: Leaders of such groups for young people will find useful the Handbook of Civics Club Work with Suggestive Programs for Several Types of Clubs, by Charles Kandel (City History Club, 1914; 20 p. 15 cents). It gives out- lines of programs for classes in both local and general civics and for a civic council. Civics for Coming Americans (see p. 29) contains the questions and answers which new Americans have to answer. Civics for New Americans, by Mabel Hill and Philip Davis (Houghton, 1915; 125 p. illus. 80 cents) is used in some evening schools. Course in Citizenship, by Ella Lyman Cabot and others (Houghton, 1914; [105] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES 386 p. $1.25), is adapted particularly for young folks. First Lessons in Civics, by S. E. Forman (American Book Co.; 224 p. 60 cents), gives an outline of American civics in simple language and from the legal point of view. American Civics, by A. G. Fra- denburg (Hinds; 285 p. SI. 15), explains the work of the federal departments, and state and town offices. Civil Government, by Paul Reinsch (Sanborn; 258 p. 60 cents), is written in simple language and illustrated with views of public works and buildings. Preparing for Citizenship, by William Backus Guit- teau (Houghton, 1913; 238 p. illus. maps, 75 cents) an elementary text-book in civics, lays stress upon the spirit and functions of government rather than on its form, and emphasizes the ethical side of civics. Civil service. — A common form of mutual study class for preparation for some branch of the civil service. Oftentimes a class of this kind will get along with a minimum of leadership, the consistent fol- lowing out of the course of study being the main necessity of such a course. How to Prepare for a Civil Service Examination, with Recent Questions and Answers, by Francis E. Leupp (Hinds; 585 p. $2.00), also Abridged Edition, without Questions and An- swers (paper, 50 cents), covers in detail all branches of the civil service. Cooking. — Instructors for cooking classes can generally be found among the domestic-science teachers of the public schools. References: Boston Cooking School Cook Book, by Mrs. Fannie Merritt Farmer (Little; $1.80), is a widely used textbook. [106] VOLUNTARY CLASSES The School Kitchen Textbook, by Mrs. Mary J. Lin- coln (Little, 1915; 60 cents; course of study free), is also popular for grammar schools or the smaller high schools; it is planned for two years, with two lessons a week, and has an appendix containing 32 lessons on sewing. Foods and Household Management, by Helen Kinne and Anna M. Cooley (Macmillan, 1914; 386 p. $1.10), covers household management, budgets, menus, food purchase and values and some simple recipes. Current events. — A common form of general in- formation improvement class, the organization of which depends entirely upon securing a leader. Per- sons having the proper equipment for this work can be looked for among college or high-school instructors in modern history. Sometimes a newspaper editor or an exceptionally well-informed club-woman will be able to handle this work. For young people, a con- densed account of all important news is to be found in the weekly school paper Current Events (Educa- tional Press Co.; single subscription for school year, 40 cents; 30 subscriptions or more to one address, 20 cents; under 30 but not less than 4, 25 cents). English for foreigners. — A type of work often found in evening schools but which may also be car- ried on in the school center. Any teacher of English or language should be able to handle a course of this character. References: First Lessons in English for Foreigners, by Frederick Houghton (American Book Co.; 150 p. 40 cents), is a practical book for the teacher; common objects, minerals, tools, etc., [107J COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES are used to illustrate sentence building. Contains views of cities and industries and vocabulary in English, German, Polish, Italian and Yiddish. Les- sons in English for Foreign Women, by Ruth Austin (American Book Co.; 159 p. 35 cents), consists of well graded lessons with vocabulary of particular interest to women. A set entitled English for Coming Americans, by Peter Roberts (Association Press, 1915), consists of the following books: Teacher's Manual (105 p. cloth, 50 cents) gives detailed direc- tions for the Roberts method of teaching English by ear. First Reader (172 p. paper, 50 cents) contains graded reading lessons in American history, geog- raphy and government for the beginner, and hints for the teacher. Second Reader (212 p. paper, 50 cents) is for more advanced students. The series also contains Lesson Leaves (5 cents per series), Teaching Charts ($1.25), and Conversation Cards (complete set, 50 cents). First aid. — A graduate trained nurse or a physician makes a good leader for a class interested in the first care to be given to the wounded. Reference : Ameri- can Red Cross Abridged Text-book on First Aid, Woman's edition, by Major Charles Lynch (Blakis- ton, 30 cents). Household science and art. — The domestic science department of the public schools is well qualified to furnish teachers for these classes. Two good works on Domestic Economy are Increasing Home Efficiency, by Martha B. and Robert W. Bruere (Macmillan, 1912; 295 p. $1.25) and Christine Frederick's The [108] VOLUNTARY CLASSES New Housekeeping; Efficiency Studies in Home Man- agement (Doubleday, 1913; 266 p. $1.25). Home Furnishing, Practical and Artistic, by Alice M. Kellogg (Stokes, 1905; 265 p. 55 illus. $1.60), sug- gests appropriate furnishings and decorations for the different parts of the home. Art in Dress, with Notes on Home Decoration (see p. 59) treats of principles of line, color, design, etc., in home decoration. Languages. — The leading modern languages, Ger- man, French, Italian and Spanish, are usually sub- jects of interest for voluntary groups. After the class has determined upon the language which it wishes to study, the next step is finding the teacher. A qualified instructor can be found usually in the faculty of the local high school or college or in the person of some well-educated foreigner speaking the desired tongue. He will usually be able to suggest a suitable textbook. Literature. — A class in this subject usually devotes itself to a course of reading or a study of literary masterpieces. The organization of this course is ordinarily a matter for the leader, since oftentimes the class itself rarely knows what it wants. Leaders can be sought among the faculty of the local high school or college, or among the members of a promi- nent literary club. Music. — A music class may devote itself to the history or appreciation of music or to the practice of music in either vocal or instrumental form. Of course, only such as are susceptible to group activi- ties are feasible. For example, the study of the piano [1091 COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES would not be practicable for a class of this sort, while choral singing would b'e. After the group has de- termined the precise branch of music it wishes to study, it may look for its director in some of the local musical circles. Naturalization qualifications. — Any teacher can act as the leader of a group desiring to prepare itself to take out citizenship papers. References: Civics for Coming Americans (see p. 29). The purpose of this booklet is to put within reach of the foreigner, having a fair command of the English language, such information as is required to pass the examinations for naturalization; also to provide intelligent guid- ance for those patriots who would gladly help " com- ing Americans," but have no knowledge either of the alien's needs or of the laws regulating the process of naturalization. How to Obtain Citizenship, by Nathaniel Fowler, Jr. (Sully, 1913; 288 p. $1.50), contains miscellaneous information about the federal and state governments in Italian, Yiddish, German and French. 110 SAMPLE PROGRAMS The following programs are examples of school- center occasions from various parts of the country. They are given here for their value as suggestions, rather than as descriptions of the work in the various cities named. I. AUDITORIUM PROGRAMS A CINCINNATI SCHOOL CENTER Date, an evening in May 1. — Anthem, by Roumanian Men's Choir 2.— Violin Solo 3. — Pianola Selection, 12th Rhapsody, by Liszt 4.— Folk Song, "Mischka Came Clad in Red," by Y. W. C. A. Choral Class 5. — Piano Solo, Hungarian Rhapsody No. 1, by Liszt 6. — Hungarian Dance, "The Czardas," by school children 7. — Tenor Solo, Aria from opera, "John the Hero" 8. — Concerto for Violin and Piano 9. — Hungarian Folk Dances, by two young ladies 10. — Group of Folk Songs 11.— Folk Dance, "Modjanet Maganak," by Y. W. C. A. junior gymnasium girls 12.— Chorus, "The Star-Spangled Banner" [111] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES A PATRIOTIC EVENING IN A SOUTH BEND CENTER 1. — Song, "America" (music and words thrown on the screen) 2. — Announcements 3. — Motion pictures depicting notable events preceding the American Revolution 4. — Address on "Spirit of the American Constitution" by a member of the High School faculty 5. — General discussion by the audience 6. — Song, "Battle Hymn of the Republic," by the audience A WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION IN LOUISVILLE George Washington, impersonated by a member of the Young Men's Club Martha Washington, impersonated by a member of the Woman's Club 1. — The Star-Spangled Banner. . .Social Center Orchestra 2. — George Washington A Member of the Board of Education 3. — Recitations and Songs Children of the Third and Fourth Grade 4. — A Folk Dance, in costume Social Center Folk-Dance Club 5.— Song, "Mount Vernon Bells" Afternoon Social Center Children 6. — Songs and Poems Children of the Third, Second, and First Grades 7. — Washington's Tree A Game played by the Woman's Club 8.— "At Whittier Social Center" A Skit in One Act [112] SAMPLE PROGRAMS Cast of Characters: — Director of the Social Center Assistant Four applicants for positions as Club Leaders 9. — Finale: "America" Orchestra and Audience A LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION IN NEW YORK Speakers: A Park Commissioner, a prominent author (subject, "Lincoln"), the secretary to a Borough Presi- dent, the head of a social settlement for Italians (subject, in Italian, "Successful Italians in America"). Inter- spersed among the above addresses were vocal and piano solos. A ST. PATRICK'S DAY PROGRAM 1. — Selection by The Harmony Band 2. — Irish Dance, by girls of Social Center 3. — Chorus, by the Glee Club of the Social Center 4. — Irish Jig, by boys of All Saints 5.— Tenor Solo, "Molly Brannigan" 6.— Violin Selection, "Elves of Ireland" 7.— Recitation, "Missin' the Children" 8. — Soprano Solo, "The Last Rose of Summer" 9. — Four-hand Jig, by four young ladies 10. — Recitation, "Dark Rosaleen" 11. — Hornpipe, by boys of All Saints 12.— Tenor Solo, "The Old Plaid Shawl" 13. — Reel, by a young lady 14. — Four-hand Reel, by four adults 15. — "The Social Center," an address 16. — Selection, by The Harmony Band 8 [ 113 ] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES A COMMUNITY MUSIC FESTIVAL IN CHICAGO Part I. — Contributions to America from the Old World 1. — Two songs from Sweden and Norway sung by the Lyric Male Chorus 2. — Four German songs by the Choir of St. Mark's Church 3. — Four songs from Bohemia by United Bohemian Singing Societies 4. — Three Polish songs by the Kurpinski Singing So- ciety assisted by St. Casimir's Church Choir Part II. — American Patriotic and Folk Songs 1. — Eight American Patriotic and Folk Songs sung by the audience, led by the high-school glee clubs 2. — Address by a Member of the Chicago Board of Education 3— Closing Song, "My Country, 'Tis of Thee." TOPICS DISCUSSED IN A NEW YORK CITY SCHOOL FORUM 1.— "The Humanization of Public Health," by the Chief Medical Examiner of the Municipal Civil Service Commission 2. — "What the Board of Education is Doing for Your Children," by a Member of the Board of Educa- tion 3.— "Building a New Man," by a Medical College Pro- fessor 4.— "What Constitutes a Good Jew," by a prominent Jew 5. — "Other People's Money," by a Lawyer and Publicist 6. — "What It Means to Me to Be a Representative of the East Side in Congress," by a Congressman [114] SAMPLE PROGRAMS II. PROGRAMS REQUIRING MORE THAN ONE ROOM A BOSTON HIGH SCHOOL CENTER, WEDNESDAY EVENING PROGRAM Assembly Hall Adult Civic Club Gymnasium Folk Dancing Library Junior City Council Lunch Rooms Brass-Band Rehearsals Games Rooms Novelty Sewing Clubs and Orchestra Rehearsals Classrooms Mixed Chorus, Dramatic Club, Mandolin Club A WEEK'S PROGRAM IN A NEW YORK CITY SCHOOL CENTER Free Athletic Exhibition. Public Dancing, admission ten cents Concert Singing, admission by free ticket The Mikado, admission ten cents (opera performed by fifty children under direc- tion of a rabbi of the Young Men's He- brew Association) Public Dancing, admission ten cents Roller-Skating, admission five cents Monday. Tuesday. Wednesday. Thursday. Friday. Saturday. III. WEEKLY PROGRAMS REQUIRING SEVERAL ROOMS JERSEY CITY SCHOOL CENTER PROGRAM Tuesday. Young Men's Club in Literature and Public Speaking Young Women's Clubs devoted to Choral Singing, Arts and Crafts, and Literature Thursday. Public Dancing [115] COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES GRAND RAPIDS SCHOOL CENTERS Finney School: — Wednesday. Young Men's Athletic Club (rehearsing Mock Trial) Young Women's Recreation Class Thursday. Boy Scouts Rehearsal of Operetta Friday. Public Motion-Picture Entertainment Palmer School: — Tuesday. Adults' Literary Society Boy Scouts Cooking Girls' Glee Club Millinery Thursday. Boy Scouts Sewing Young Men's Club (Boxing and Wrestling) Young Women's Recreation Class Sigsbee School: — Tuesday. Children's Chorus Married Women's Physical Training Class Thursday. Foreigners' Civic Class Boy Scouts Straight School: — Tuesday. Boy Scouts Cooking Dressmaking Young Men's Athletic Club (Minstrel re- hearsal) Young Women's Recreation Class Friday. Illustrated Lecture or Public Entertain- ment [116] SAMPLE PROGRAMS A WEEK'S PROGRAM IN A LOUISVILLE SCHOOL CENTER (Afternoon occasions omitted) Tuesday. Gymnasium for Men and Boys Housekeepers' Conference Thursday. Gymnasium for Girls Adult Clubs Friday. General Entertainments, such as the fol- lowing: — ■ Violin duet Two ladies Vocal solo A young woman Lecture on Oral Hygiene . A dentist Reading from "Uncle Remus" An elocutionist Stories Two young ladies Violin duet Two young ladies A WEEK'S PROGRAM IN A NEW YORK SCHOOL CENTER Monday. Women's Sewing and Millinery Clubs Choral Club for. Men and Women Woman's Suffrage Club Men's Gymnasium Class Tuesday. Social Dancing for Adults Men's Gymnasium Class Dramatic Club Camp Fire Girls Wednesday. Basket-ball Classes for Women and Girls Club Dances for Young People Women's Sewing and Millinery Clubs Thursday. Public Forum Men's Gymnasium Class Young Women's Gymnasium Class [1171 COMMUNITY CENTER ACTIVITIES Friday. Men's Gymnasium Class Dramatic Club Saturday. Basket-ball Classes for Women and Girls Club Dances for Young People Study and Game Rooms open every night 118 PUBLISHERS' NAMES AND ADDRESSES Allen Brothers, Ruskin House, 44 Rathbone Place, London, England American Book Co., 100 Washington Square, E., New York City American City, The, The Civic Press, 87 Nassau Street, New York City American Pageant Association, Secretary, Miss Virginia Tanner, 26 Arlington St., Cambridge, Mass. American Sports Publishing Co., 21 Warren Street, New York City Appleton: D. Appleton & Co., 29-35 West 32nd Street, New York City Association Press, 124 East 28th Street, New York City Baker: Baker & Taylor Co., 354 Fourth Avenue, New York City Barnes: The A. S. Barnes Co., 381 Fourth Avenue, New York City Birchard: C. C. Birchard & Co., Boston, Mass. Blakiston's: P. Blakiston's Son & Co., Philadelphia, Pa. Boy Scouts of America, 200 Fifth Avenue, New York City Bradley: Milton Bradley Co., Springfield, Mass. Butterick: Butterick Publishing Co., 223 Spring Street, New York City Camp Fire Girls of America, 461 Fourth Avenue, New York City Century: The Century Co., 353 Fourth Avenue, New York City Children's Bureau, The, U. S. Department of Labor, Washing- ton, D. C. Child-Welfare Magazine, Child-Welfare Co., P. O. Box 4022, West Philadelphia, Pa. City History Club of New York, 105 West 40th Street, New York City [119 J PUBLISHERS' NAMES AND ADDRESSES Civic Press, 87 Nassau Street, New York City Committee on Women's Work, Russell Sage Foundation, 130 East 22nd Street, New York City Cook: David C. Cook Publishing Co., Elgin, 111. Current Events, Educational Press Co., Springfield, Mass. Davol: Davol Publishing Co., North Attleboro, Mass. Department of Education, 500 Park Avenue, New York City Department of Education, State of Washington, Olympia, Wash. Department of Surveys and Exhibits, Russell Sage Founda- tion, 130 East 22nd St., New York City Dick: Dick & Fitzgerald, 18 Ann Street, New York City Ditson: Oliver Ditson Co., 150 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass. Division of Education, Russell Sage Foundation, 130 East 22nd Street, New York City Doubleday: Doubleday, Page & Co., Garden City, N. Y. Drama League of America, 736 Marquette Building, Chicago, 111. Dramatic Publishing Co., 542 South Dearborn Street, Chi- cago, 111. Duffield: Dufiield & Co., 211 West 33rd Street, New York City Dutton: E. P. Dutton & Co., 681 Fifth Avenue, New York City Educational Press Co., Springfield, Mass. Fernald: Fernald & Co., 719 Twenty-first Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. Flanagan: A. Flanagan Co., 521 South Wabash Avenue, Chi- cago, 111. Ford Hall Folks, 41 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Mass. French: Samuel French, 28 West 38th Street, New York City Funk: Funk & Wagnalls Co., 354 Fourth Avenue, New York City [120] PUBLISHERS' NAMES AND ADDRESSES General Federation of Women's Clubs, Bureau of Informa- tion, Portsmouth, N. H. Ginn: Ginn & Co., 29 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass. Girl Scouts, Inc., 17 West 42nd Street, New York City Gray: H. W. Gray Co., 2 West 45th Street, New York City Griffith: The Griffith and Rowland Press, 16 Ashburton Place, Boston, Mass. Harper: Harper & Bros., Franklin Square, New York City Hinds: Hinds, Hayden & Eldredge, Inc., 11-15 Union Square West, N. Y. City Holt: Henry Holt & Co., 34 West 33rd Street, New York City Houghton: Houghton, Mifflin Co., 4 Park Street, Boston, Mass. Huebsch: B. W. Huebsch, 225 Fifth Avenue, New York City Illustrated Milliner Co., 656 Broadway, New York City Journal of Educational Psychology, Warwick & York, Balti- more, Md. Lippincott: J. B. Lippincott Co., East Washington Square, Philadelphia, Pa. Little: Little, Brown & Co., 34 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass. Longmans: Longmans, Green & Co., 443 Fourth Avenue, New York City Lothrop: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co., 93 Federal Street, Boston, Mass. McClurg: A. C. McClurg & Co., 330-352 East Ohio Street, Chicago, 111. Macmillan: The Macmillan Co., 64 Fifth Avenue, New York City Manual Arts Press, Peoria, 111. Moffat: Moffat, Yard & Co., 116-120 West 32nd Street, New York City Mother's Magazine, The, David C. Cook Publishing Co., Elgin, 111. [1211 PUBLISHERS' NAMES AND ADDRESSES National Child Welfare Exhibit Association, Inc., 70 Fifth Avenue, New York City National Congress of Mothers and Parent-teacher Associa- tions, 910 Loan and Trust Bldg., Washington, D. C. National Vocational Guidance Association, Secretary, W. Carson Ryan, Jr., Bureau of Education, Washington, D. C. Newson: Newson & Co., 73 Fifth Avenue, New York City New York Public Library, 476 Fifth Avenue, New York City Novello & Co., Ltd., London, England. American agents, H. W. Gray Co. (q. v.) Page: Louis C. Page & Co., 53 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass. Pilgrim Press, The, 14 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass. Playground, The, Playground and Recreation Association of America, 1 Madison Avenue, New York City Prang Company, The, 30 Irving Place, New York City Rand: Rand, McNally & Co., 42 East 22nd Street, New York City Russell Sage Foundation, 130 East 22nd Street, New York City Sanborn: Benjamin H. Sanborn & Co., 15 West 38th Street, New York City Schirmer: G. Schirmer, 3 East 43rd Street, New York City School Arts Publishing Co., Boston, Mass. Sower: Christopher Sower Co., 124 North 18th Street, Phila- delphia, Pa. Stokes: Frederick A. Stokes Co., 443-449 Fourth Avenue, New York City Sturgis: Sturgis & Walton Co., 31-33 East 27th Street, New York City Sully: Sully & Kleinteich, 373 Fourth Avenue, New York City Survey: The Survey Associates, Inc., 112 East 19th Street, New York City [122] PUBLISHERS' NAMES AND ADDRESSES U. S. Bureau of Education, Washington, D. C. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. University of Chicago Press, 58th Street & Ellis Avenue, Chi- cago, 111. University of Texas, Austin, Texas. Vocation Bureau of Boston, 6 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass. W T arwick & York, Baltimore, Md. Wilson: H. W. Wilson Co., White Plains, N. Y. Witmark: M. Witmark & Sons, 144 West 37th Street, New York City Yale University Press, 209 Elm Street, New Haven, Conn. 1123] INDEX TO ACTIVITIES Aeroplane-making, 57 Agricultural clubs, 97 Alice in Wonderland social, 89 Alumni association, 97 Amateur circus, 89 Amateur nights, 40 Apparatus work, 79 Archery, 79 Arithmetical calculations, 65 Art, 104 Athletic clubs, 97 Athletic feats, 79 Bag-punching, 80 Ball games, 80 Banquets, 89 Basket ball, 81 Basketry, 57 Bazaars, 90 Bead work, 58 Bent-iron work, 58 Better babies contests, 70 Billiards, 82 Bookbinding, 58 Boxing, 82 Boy Scouts, 97 Boys' clubs, 98 Calisthenics, 82 Camp Fire Girls, 99 Cantatas, 40 Carnivals, 90 Celebrations, 90 Chair-caning, 59 Charades, 91 Checkers tournaments, 66 Check-room, 71 Chess matches, 66 [ Choral singing, 41 Civic clubs, 99 Civics, 105 Civil service, 106 Classroom games, 82 Clay modeling, 59 Clinics, 71 Committee meetings, 99 Community-center associa- tion, 100 Community contests, 35 Community fairs, 35 Community institutes, 35 Concerts, 42 Conferences, 36 Cooking, 106 Cooperative buying, 71 Crocheting, 59 Current events, 107 Dances, 91 Debates, 66 Declamation contests, 67 Dialogues, 42 Dramatic clubs, 100 Dramatic-club tournaments, 68 Drawing, 59 Dressmaking, 59 Drills, 83 Embroidery, 60 English for foreigners, 107 English-grammar contests, 68 Entertainments, 40 Essay competitions, 68 Esthetic dancing, 83 Exhibition drills, 42 Exhibitions, 36 125] INDEX TO ACTIVITIES Fake athletic meet, 92 Fancy work, 60 Fathers' club, 100 Feature dancing, 43 Fencing, 83 Festivals, 43 First aid, 71, 108 Folk dancing, 83 Fortune-telling, 92 Forum, 24 Games, 76; Ball, 80 Classroom, 82 Miscellaneous, 85 Singing, 87 Table, 88 Girl Scouts, 100 Girls' clubs, 101 Gymnastic competitions, 85 Hammock-making, 60 Health talks, 71 Holiday celebrations, 44 Household science and art, 108 Impersonations, 45 Information bureau, 72 Jewelry-making, 60 Jiu jitsu, 85 Jules Verne entertainment, 46 Little mothers' clubs, 101 Loan art exhibits, 37 Masques, 46 Memorial exercises, 27 Millinery, 61 Minstrels, 47 Miscellaneous games, 85 Mock auction, 92 Mock city council, 27 Mock county fair, 92 Mock legislature, 28 Mock naturalization hear- ings, 29 Mock trials, 69 Monologues, 47 Mothers' club, 101 Motion pictures, 47 Music, 109 Musical organizations, 102 Musical sketches, 48 Naturalization qualifications, 110 Neighborhood improvement association, 102 New citizens' receptions, 29 Newsboys' club, 102 Nights of all nations, 48 Operettas, 48 Kite-making, 61 Knitting, 61 Languages, 109 Lantern slides, 46 Leather work, 61 Lectures, 36 Legerdemain, 46 Library station, 72 Literature, 109 [126 Pageants, 48 Painting, 62 Pantomimes, 50 Parent-teacher association, 102 Parties, 92 Party games, 93 Patriotic celebrations, 30 Pronunciation matches, 69 Public discussions, 31 Pyrography, 62 INDEX TO ACTIVITIES Races, 86 Raffia, 62 Reading room, 72 Readings, 50 Receptions to officials, 33 Refreshment service, 94 Rehearsals, 50 Roller-skating, 87 Rug-making, 62 School savings bank, 73 Sewing, 62 Sheet-metal work, 63 Singing games, 87 Singing-society contests, 50 Society meetings, 33, 96 Spelling bees, 69 Stenciling, 63 Story-telling, 51 Story-telling contests, 69 Study room, 73 Stunt nights, 52 Swimming, 87 Tableaux, 52 Table games, 88 Taffy pulls, 94 Talks, 38 Team industrial contests, 38 Theatricals, 52 Trip around the world, 94 Trip to the moon, 95 Tumbling, 88 Vaudeville, 54 Vocational guidance bureau, 73 Water sports, 88 Wax works, 54 Welfare exhibits, 38 Welsh Eisteddfod burlesque, 55 Wireless telegraphy, 63 Woman's club, 103 Wood-carving, 63 Woodwork, 63 Wrestling, 88 [127;