1 1 o THE NA TUKE-STUD Y RE VIE W [4 : 4— apr., igoS 



spring flowers; life-history of the toad and frog; a few examples 

 from pond-life; the most important field and garden products of 

 the region, including cultivated flowers; physical phenomena 

 (weather, erosion, etc.). From such a range of subjects it ought 

 not to be difficult to select a series having a sequence from grade 

 to grade. When such a series of nature-subjects has been 

 planned for the primary grades it should be understood as 

 merely tentative — a beginning of organized effort. A year's 

 experience and acquaintance will furnish a basis for reorganiza- 

 tion and better results. 



There is one serious difficulty connected with such a procedure 

 in our smaller school systems, viz., the shifting of teachers. If 

 the same teachers remain for several consecutive years it is a 

 simple problem to adjust the work. But if a group of 

 primary teachers (or one primary teacher in the small graded 

 school) attempts to plan the work as I have indicated, not much 

 will come of it unless some provision is made for the future which 

 will take into consideration the probabilities of new teachers. 

 Some sort of a record, therefore, should be kept showing just 

 what subjects are taken, and such other details as to source of 

 material, dates, etc., as may seem important. A record of tins 

 kind is valuable whether the teacher remains or not. 



What I have said in regard to the importance of records of 

 nature-studies is equally important in its application to other 

 phases of school work. I can think of no other great work where 

 business is carried from one year to another, often in new hands, 

 in such an unbusinesslike way as is the common practice among 

 schools. All the new teacher lias for guidance is the meagre 

 information in the register containing merely the names, ages, 

 attendance and stages of advancement of the pupils. No com- 

 mercial business could possibly attain much success with such 

 methods. 



