PREFACE 



For some time past it has seemed desirable that notes 

 should be prepared amplifying the subject-matter of 

 Blackie's Tropical Readers, and setting out clearly a 

 number of specific examples of what a pupil should 

 draw, collect, prove by experiment, observe, or record. 

 The present Supplement has been written with this in 

 view, and it is hoped that it will prove a lever to the 

 self-activity of the children, and that it will be a means 

 of guiding their work on right lines. 



Study of the Jamaica Code will show that no new 

 work is suggested, but that an endeavour is being made 

 to enable teachers to comply more easily with the re- 

 quirements of the Education Department. The follow- 

 ing quotations from the Code will reveal the manner in 

 which it is intended that the "Science Work " should be 

 taught : 



"The lessons must, whenever possible, be illustrated 

 by actual objects, specimens, pictures, diagrams, black- 

 board drawings, or clay models." 



" Children should be encouraged to bring with them 

 to the lesson illustrative specimens which they have 

 collected or obtained from friends." 



" Children should be encouraged to make simple 

 drawings illustrative of their observations. Those in 

 the Upper Division should be required to write brief 

 weekly compositions in which they may express, in a 

 written form, the ideas which they have acquired 

 through observations and oral instruction, and also 

 through reading." 



