TRA WING TEA CHERS OE XA TL RE S Tl T D Y 131 



Special Problems. Development of frog; stages of currant saw-fly, etc., rela- 

 tion of insects to plants; value of birds, mads, etc., to the garden and the farm 

 hibernation forms of insects and insect homes; migration of birds, etc. 



Methods of Teaching Nature-Study. Lectures, with practice and criticisms; 

 pedagogical psychology. 



Nature in Literature. Reading and discussion of literature dealing with 

 various phases of nature. 



Art. Special attention will be given to the training of teachers in clay-model- 

 ling, drawing, sand modelling, and color work, as means of expression well 

 adapted to all sides of nature-study work. 



Manual Training. Elementary exercises in cardboard work and woodwork; 

 use of knife and simple tools; series of models for ungraded schools. 



Conferences. For discussion of methods and specific subjects, mainly by 

 students, in presence of teachers. 



O N E Y E A R NORM A 1 . C 1' R S E 

 A more advanced course, of a similar nature, and extending over 

 a full College year, is given to teachers who wish to qualify as 

 specialists in this department. The aim is to provide instructors fitted 

 to carry on the work of nature-study and school gardens in a group 

 of rural schools, in a large consolidated school, or in an agricultural 

 high school. 



TEACHERS COLLEGE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 

 In this institution nature-study is understood to be the simple 

 observational study of common natural objects and processes for the 

 sake of pprsonal acquaintance with the things that appeal to human 

 interest directly and independently of the principles of organized 

 science. All the " natural science " studies of the elementary schools, 

 so far as the teaching rests on actual studies of nature, are regarded 

 as included in nature-study. Nature-study with such a general point 

 of view must draw its materials from the fields of the several natural 

 sciences, and for this reason the science departments of Teachers 

 College cooperate in the work of training teachers of this special line. 

 Subject-matter courses in the physical, geographical, and biological 

 (including physiological and agricultural) aspects of nature-study are 

 given by the respective depigments of science : and the relations of 

 the subject-matter of the various phases, together with the theory and 

 practice of the teaching, are presented in special courses in education 

 conducted conjointly by the professors of physical science, 

 geography, and biology. And in addition to the science and education 

 courses directly relating to nature-study, there are open to students 

 courses in general elementary and kindergarten method, manual 



