NOTES FROM THE CLUBS. 



UR observations of a large number of Junior 

 Naturalist clubs have clearly shown us that best 

 results come when the teacher gives inspiration 

 and guidance without dictating, and leaves the 

 members of the chib to feel that the organiza- 

 tion is all theirs. The pride of proprietorship 

 and the feeling of the members that they are doing 

 the same work in the same manner as is done by their elders, is a 

 strong factor in keeping up an interest. 



* •«■ * 

 A principal of one of the schools has asked us to publish a leaflet 

 on parliamentary practice, a suggestion which we have under serious 

 consideration. He has made much of the meetings of the clubs 

 and has conducted them on a basis of civics and adroitly let the 

 club proceedings drift into parliamentary and legislative usages, 

 whenever nature-study subjects are under consideration. He speaks 

 with much spirit of the interest awakened in a certain class of boys 

 in his school in the election of club officers. These pupils are not 

 distinguished for love of study, being emphatically boys of the 

 street. They are lads in whom was born a "spirit of leadership of a 

 certain kind, and the club meeting is an occasion when it comes out 

 in full force. To the boys' credit, be it said, their purpose was the 

 election of the best members, as judged by their standard. Many 

 situations come up in which proper parliamentary ruling is beyond 

 the knowledge of the teacher and therefore he suggested that we 

 issue a leaflet giving aid in that direction. 



* 



* 



Many teachers in whom the taste for good literature is strong, 

 open the club meetings with a roll call in response to which each 

 member gives a quotation appropriate to the lesson of the month. 



533 



