1905] Nature Study — No. 21. 211 



** Nature Study. — The noting-, examination and study of the 

 common and more important natural objects and laws of Nature 

 as they are exemplified within the rang-e of the school section or 

 of the pupils' observation. Under this head, pupils should not be 

 required to memorize notes or facts which they have not, at least 

 to some extent, actually observed or verified for themselves. Many 

 books on the list recommended for school libraries (see October 

 "Journal," 1903) are useful guides to the teacher for portions of 

 the work prescribed in some of the grades. There should be a 

 short " Nature Lesson" given every day on the daily collections 

 and observations of the pupils themselves — not on the statement 

 of teachers or books — the lesson always being based on the ob- 

 jects or observations. These guide books are to be used only to 

 show the teachers how to give such lessons. They are entirely 

 prohibited as text-books for either pupil or teacher, for under no 

 circumstances should * notes ' from the books be given to pupils. 

 All such studies must be from the objects. Observations under 

 this head form some of the best subjects for English composition 

 or drawing exercises in all grades. 



'* In schools with pupils of several grades under one teacher 

 (as in most rural schools), many of these lessons may profitably 

 engage the whole school. In nearly all, either the whole senior 

 or whole junior divisions of the school can take part. A skilful 

 teacher can thus give profitable object lessons to several grades 

 of scholars at once ; at one time giving a Grade V lesson, at 

 another time a Grade VI or Grade VII or Grade VIII lesson, 

 which will also contain enough for the observation and interest of 

 Grade I, Grade II, Grade III and Grade IV pupils. An object 

 lesson given to the highest class can thus, to a certain extent, be 

 made a good object lesson for all the lower classes. The older 

 pupils will see more and think more." 



"It must be remembered that the memorizing of notes and facts 

 merely stated to pupils is strictly forbidden under this head. Such 

 memorizing is pure cram, and is injurious instead of being useful. 

 The teacher may not have time to take up in class every object 

 indicated in the Nature lessons of the course. In such cases the 

 pupils should be given two or three objects nearly related to the 

 typical specimen examined in school, with directions to search for 



