ITAEMERS^ INSTITUTES. 'TIS 



NATURE STUDY IN THE COMMON SCHOOLS. 



MISS .TOIE MEEKER, CROWN POINT, IND. 



[Read at Lake County Farmers' Institute.] 



"Knowledge never learned of schools, 

 Of the wild flower's time and place, 

 Plight of fowl and habitude, 

 Of the tenants of the wood; 

 How the tortoise bears his shell. 

 How the woodchuck digs his cell. 

 And the ground-mole sinks his well; 

 For eschewing books and tasks, 

 Nature answers all he asks. 

 Hand in hand with her he walks, 

 Face to face with her he talks." 



Nature study is the most natural study. Tlie common schools of our 

 country, recognizing this, have made rapid progress within the last decade 

 in cori'elation and organization in the subject-matter of the different 

 branches of study. Until a feAV years ago nature study or science was 

 thought to be one of the studies belonging to the high school, college or 

 university. Everything seemed to center about the earth; but the new 

 education transforms everything. Following its teachings, we readily 

 obey Bryant, who says: 



"Go forth imder the open sky and list 

 To Nature's teaching." 



Realizing it is best to acquire a knowledge of tjjings close by us first, 

 then of those farther off. 



This study of nature is comparatively new in American schools. It 

 really is in the experimental stage. The schools of our own State have 

 been the storm center for discovery and dissemination of this truth, and 

 they have contributed largely in bringing the experiment to its present 

 stage of advancement. 



In approaching this subject the first question that no doubt enters your 

 minds is, "Why have, we begun this study of nature in the elementary 

 schools?" If there were fewer things, as in the days of the three R's, 

 tlie answer would be comparatively simple; but now it is three R's and 

 all nature. Agassiz says, "Children are born naturalists." Then why 

 should nature study be suddenly ended? Why, indeed, should the child 

 who, since its birth, has grown familiar 'with, and has found his delight 



