27,2 THE NATURE-STUDY REVIEW U^-ocr., 1908 



first just what you wish them to note. Give one or two things 

 so they will have ample opportunity to see and think about it. 

 It is well for the teacher to know where the various subjects 

 to be studied are found so as to direct her class where to look 

 for them. 



In studying a tree it would be well to tell the class to observe 

 along these lines — where the tree grows, height (compare with 

 a telegraph pole or an electric light pole,) how tall the trunk is 

 before it begins to branch, in what direction the branches grow 

 (upward, outward, or drooping), condition of the bark found 

 on the trunk, color, compare with the bark of a twig, leaves if 

 tree is in leaf. 



I give the following as a type lesson which was given one day 

 while we were studying the scarlet tanager. All these facts 

 were given by the pupils after they had been told to observe 

 the bird. "The scarlet tanager is quite a little larger than an 

 English sparrow." "It is a red bird with black wings and tail." 

 "It has a short beak." "It builds its nest in the oak or the pine 

 tree." "Its nest is high in the tree." "Often times it is near 

 a brook or stream where it can bathe." "I saw one in the water 

 .and I thought it was drowned, when I went to go near it flew 

 away and I knew it was taking its bath." "Nest is somewhat 

 like a robin's." "It is made of mud, sticks and straw." "Eggs 

 are bluish-green and there are three or four in the nest." "This 

 bird does not come so very near to the house." "It is shy." 

 "It flits from tree to tree." "It has a voice somewhat like a 

 robin's." 



Children who can use their observation powers and get such 

 facts as the above do not need a book. 



How much more we could enjoy the beauties around us if our 

 powers of observation had been trained. As we realize this, 

 it seems to us a pleasant task to help our pupils to gain what 

 we have missed. And for this reason subjects for nature-study 

 should not be difficult to find. Despise not small things; every- 

 thing around us is of some importance and can be used to ad- 

 vantage. 



