1904J Nature Study — No. 13. 63 



(c) The Moon. The great purpose of this topic was to show 

 pupils that by thoug^htful observation many interesting problems 

 could be solved, and to stimulate them to find out about some of 

 the wonders of creation which are so often taken as matters ot 

 course. The pupils were to make observations and drawings, 

 and then by wise questions the teacher was to lead them to sug- 

 gest causes for the apparent double motion of the moon and for 

 its change in appearance. This topic proved both a brilliant suc- 

 cess and a dismal failure. In a few cases it was simply astonish- 

 ing how readily the pupils — ^without being told anything — came to 

 a clear understanding of the motions and phases of the moon, but 

 in others very little was accomplished. On the whole, while the 

 chief object was not always attained, so much interest was aroused 

 that no doubt the moon will be looked upon by the pupils very 

 differently in the future. 



(d) Evaporation and Condensation. An effort has been made 

 to arouse wonder in the children's minds, so that they may desire 

 to understand all they see. Thus when it snows, the wish to know 

 why it snows, where snow comes from, how it got ihere, and 

 many other queries would naturally arise. These studies were 

 taken up in order that such questions should be answered. The 

 results were fairly satisfactory, though in a few cases the desire 

 of the teacher to tell, worked somewhat against complete success. 



(e) Stars. The senior grades were helped to find a few of 

 the prominent constellations and to recognize some of the brighter 

 stars. This proved most successful. The purpose was to arouse 

 interest and the pupils, on the whole, were delighted with the 

 work. It was almost amusing, too, to notice how the teachers 

 seized upon this topic as something they could do. something 

 tangible, something requiring explanation ; and, with this, the 

 poorest Nature Study subject we have taken up, they felt quite at 

 home. 



From the above an idea of what we are attempting may be 

 gathered. During the coming months we hope to do a great 

 deal of most interesting work. Birds, flowers, insects, the 

 weather, and much else will receive attention. Special work will 

 be : seed germination and experiments on the growth of plants ; 

 insect study, such as of the ant, with experiments suggested by 

 the pupils; a flower-growing competition, and, not least, aquaria- 

 keeping, with particular study of such creatures as mosquitoes, 

 dragonflies, toads, and almost anything which the class may 

 propose. 



Having now touched upon what has been done in our schools, 

 it may be well to mention some ot the difiiculties that had to be 

 faced. 



