TO THE TEACHER 
GOING to the store is one of the most frequent home activities of pupils. This fact has been revealed by research conducted in a number of public schools during the past few years. According to a sound principle of education, pupils should be taught to do better the worth-while things they are now doing or are going to do.1 Young persons sent to the store should be armed with information so that they may get good value for the money they spend. Effective education should prepare pupils to meet this need. Detailed directions for buying not only fruits, vegetables, meats, and other foods but also dishes, glassware, utensils, table linen, and silver are contained in this text. Moreover, some fundamental principles of buying as well as the ethics of buying are discussed. A glance at the index shows how many items are listed under the topic buying.
Other home activities shown by recent investigation to be performed most frequently by pupils are setting the table, washing dishes, and helping to cook meals. These subjects are all included in this book. Even the commonplaces of dishwashing have been vitalized by arranging pertinent material in the form of a contest. Interest is stimulated further by showing the relation of dishwashing to health.
Not only should pupils be taught how better to do worthwhile things, but additional interests and activities should be revealed and made desirable to them. In Foods and Home Making are included many suggestions and devices to stimulate pupils to participate in home activities and to do their share in making their
1 Adapted from Thomas H. Briggs, Teachers College, Columbia University.
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