"Fingerspitzengefühl"

Fingerspitzengefühl -- intuitive feeling used in the sense, "to really understand something you must have it not in your head but in the tips of your fingers." It is a German term related to Wisdom of the Hands, and describes a sense of intuitive understanding that one acquires by "being in touch with." Can working with the hands create a greater sense of intuition? Try it and find out for yourself. The following is a poem from Two Hundred Poems for Teachers of Industrial Arts Education: collected and published in 1935 by William L. Hunter.

The Best Sermon
I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day--
I'd rather one would walk with me than merely point the way.
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear;
Fine counsel is confusing, but example, it is clear.
The best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

I'll soon learn to do it if you'll let me see it done,
I can watch your hands in action but your tongue too fast may run.
While the lectures you deliver may be wise and true,
Yet I'd rather learn my lesson by observing what you do.
For I may misunderstand you and the fine advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding of how you act and live.
-- Leaon C. Prince

Today in the Clear Spring School wood shop, the first, second and third grade students will practice their knife safety in preparation for their camping trip next week.

A Genuine Craftsman
You don't have to preach honesty to men with a creative purpose. Let a human being throw the energies of his soul into the making of something, and the instinct of workmanship will take care of his honesty. A genuine craftsman will not adulterate his product. The reason isn't because duty says he shouldn't, but because passion says he couldn't.
-- Walter Lippman