This manual, prepared by Mr. Charles A. Kunou, is the outgrowth of practical experience in the school room, and is designed to assist teachers of the third and fourth grades who have not had special preparation. The aim is to make the work as simple as possible, and to establish a correlation with other subjects, particularly arithmetic and geometry; and to this end the exercises are intended to assist the mental as well as the moral growth. The progression is methodical, the exercises are simple, and the materials are not expensive. The work is intended to produce useful articles which are the creative work of the child, instead of merely flat pieces of paper with names attached. The using of paste is avoided as much as possible, and a system of "flaps" in combining surfaces is employed.

Cardboard construction has a definite educational value, because it stimulates the mental activities of the children. It calls into play brain energies which ordinary school systems do not develop in these grades. It inculcates habits of originality, accuracy, observation and neatness.

These courses prepare and lead to the more extensive work in the higher grades, in that they gradually train in definiteness of form and dimensions. They are planned to cover a period of two years, with two classes in a room, giving forty minutes each week for ten months in the year.

Printed by order of Board of Education.

JAMES A. FOSHAY, Superintendent.

The author is not conscious of indebtedness to any books or authors in arranging the courses in this manual, except in that a man may be impressed, in a general way, by what he reads. The illustrations and drawings are just as good as he can make them. The work is not a modification of other systems used elsewhere.

It is hereby dedicated to the children and teachers of the third and fourth grades of Los Angeles City Public Schools.

CHARLES A. KUNOU.

Los Angeles, Cal.. March, 1902.