104 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW 



by roots were hailed with delight. The production of resin and 

 turpentine was investigated. Tempeiature and the two types of 

 thermometers, Fahrenheit and Centigrade, were explained. 

 Birds were identified and discussed in their relation to the forests, 

 as weie insects. The flowers of the woods were identified. 



Under the caption of language and reading the following 

 were used: Enos Mills' "The Story of a Thousand Year Pine," 

 Harold W. Fairbank's "Conservation Reader," portions of "Evan- 

 geline" and Joyce Kilmer's poem "Trees." There was a fascinat- 

 ing hour when a forest ranger 1 , who had spent several years in 

 the Yosemite, told of his duties and efforts to avert what might 

 have been serious fires. Then there was much interest in the 

 writing and production of a little play stressing forest conserva- 

 tion and the danger of fires. The very excellent teacher in charge 

 of these activities summed up her work in the following aims: 

 I. To arouse interest in nature, especially trees. 2. To create 

 enthusiasm, for the conservation of our national resources. 

 3. To encourage originality of thought. 4. To train children to 

 express themselves clearly, both on oral and written work. 

 In this group a minimum, of written work was demanded. Chil- 

 dren of this age haven't a great experience out of which they may 

 write, but whenever there was written work it was required 

 to be in good form. 



In arithmetic the problems were of a practical nature and grew 

 out of real situations. A visit was made to a sawmill on the moun- 

 tain side. Here the various piles of lumber were counted and the 

 board feet calculated. The cost of constructing a cabin of the type 

 found on the normal grounds was estimated. Then while enthus- 

 iasm was high the boys of the class commenced to build a log cabin. 

 Various problems in ratio and proportion were worked out. The 

 height of the named trees on the grounds was found by their 

 shadows. The volume of the college water tank was ascertained. 

 There was not a problem given which did not come within the 

 interest and experience of those children. 



In geography the aim was to teach climatic factors as affecting 

 the distribution of plants and animals and was confined to Calif- 

 ornia. The weather received much attention. Rainfall, temper- 

 ature, winds and clouds were discussed. The mountain ranges 

 and deserts were located. The various valleys and their products 



