[DAY AT THE MERRILL-PALMER SCHOOL,A] Part 3
Description
The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: A Day at the Merrill-Palmer School. “While the children are resting the helpers prepare for dinner.” Children folding napkins. “In the kitchen.” Cooks preparing food. “A sample of the children’s menu for the week of Nov. 5, 1928.” “Monday. Eggs á la goldenrod, buttered peas, red cabbage leaf, carrot & celery sandwich, milk, tapioca with apples.” “Tuesday. Scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, celery stalk, lettuce sandwich, milk, apricot whip, oatmeal cookies.” “Wednesday. Meatballs, creamed cabbage, scalloped potatoes, egg yolk & celery sandwich, milk, cut fruit.” “Thursday. Spinach soufflé, cottage cheese on lettuce, green string beans, cabbage sandwich, milk, chocolate pudding.” “Friday. Creamed eggs, buttered peas & carrots, lettuce leaf, date sandwich, milk, baked apple.” Children putting cloths on small tables. “Particular about the fit.” Setting tables. “Everything must be just right -- no napkins.” Placing them on tables. “Dinner is ready as the clock strikes 12.” Child ringing dinner chimes - children coming down stairs - children sitting down at tables with older student. “Adult student at each table has her chance to carry theory into practice.” All seated at tables. “After ‘Grace’ is said the waiters chosen, dinner is served.” Children taking trays from central table to their own. “Teacher is served first.” “Pickles and jam for the teacher -- grownups have some things little children do not.” “No crying over spilt milk here, no scolding either.” Little boy washing milk off floor. “The dinner with the mid-morning lunch and afternoon milk gives half the food requirements for the day.” “His plate clean he fetches his own dessert.” Child takes empty plate, exchanges it for dessert. “We are not all equally skillful, but if we spill we wipe it up ourselves.” Child cleaning spilled food off floor. “At the end of the meal the student reports on the dinner hour.” Close-up of teacher’s report form - making out reports while still at table. “We stack our own dishes.” “We’ve had our dinner, we’ve been to the toilet and now we’re ready for our nap.” Children getting ready for nap, being covered. “Asleep until 2:30.” “Other lesson in self-help.” Making cots. “A good example for the grown-ups.” Folding blanket. “All do not wake up at once.” Some children getting ready to go out, while others still sleep. “At 2:30 in the weighing and measuring laboratory.” “Another opportunity to dress and undress.” Child shedding clothes, getting on scale. “Once a month we are weighed and measured, and learn how we grow.” “‘How much have I gained this month?’” “3:30, time to go home.” Putting on outdoor clothes. “Waiting for mother.” Playing in yard, mothers picking up children. “Mother hears how the day went.” Close-up of report form for parents. “The nursery school day is over -- so many opportunities for learning through living.” Children leaving with mothers. [1928]
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