870 Rural School Llaflkt. 



York State Syllabus. For tJiis year the required lessons will consist ol 

 the following subjects: The English Sparrow, The Hen, The Dog, The 

 Pea, and the Cow. The article on The English Sparrow was published 

 in the October Leaflet, The Hen in No'^'-ember, and The Dog in this issue. 

 Back numbers of these Leaflets will be furnished to teachers making request 

 for them. 



The Dog. — All children enjoy dogs and probably in every community, 

 there will be a dog that can be brought into the schoolroom for a lesson. 

 The facts in the article should not be given as mere facts. The children 

 should obtain the facts by directed observation. 



Moths and Butterflies. — Many mistakes are made in teaching children 

 about cocoons. From fall until spring cocoons are frequently brought 

 into the schoolroom and the teachers have but little knowledge of them. 

 There are a few definite distinctions between moths and butterflies 

 which every child may learn. This knowledge will lead to more accuracy 

 in their study of cocoons. Many times the moths do not develop and 

 usually this is because the cocoons are placed in a very dry room in which 

 there is no way to keep them moist. It would be best to tell the children 

 to leave cocoons where they find them until nearly spring, then bring them 

 indoors where they will be able to see the moth when it emerges. I have 

 known, however, a teacher who has been successful in having moths 

 come from cocoons kept in the school all winter by trying to have the 

 cocoons in a moist, cool place. Although the subject of moths and but- 

 terflies is not taken up this year in the New York State Syllabus, so many 

 teachers ask us questions regarding it that we thought it best to publish 

 an article in the present issue. 



Corn Day, January 28. — Every rural school teacher should make an 

 effort to have Corn Day recognized in his district. Even if an exhibit 

 consists of but three or four ears of corn the children will begin to think 

 about the subject. Last year Mr. M'. P. Jones organized a Corn Day 

 for New York State to be held the last Friday in January. In this issue 

 directions are given for conducting Corn Day. A poster is being sent 

 to all schools for the purpose of interesting the children. See that 

 this poster is hung on the schoolroom wall. We intend to publish a 

 list of the districts in which Corn Day has been observed. It will do 

 much for you as a teacher and for your community that your district 

 has taken part in this work. 



Out of State Requests. — So many teachers outside of New York State 

 are asking for the Rural School Leaflet that we are endeavoring to have 

 our printer take up the matter and sell the Leaflets to all those in other 

 states who find them helpful. If this publication reaches teachers out- 



