sipe] study of elm TREE IN PRIMARY GRADES 57 



will blow, but the elm tree will keep them tight and then suddenly 

 tell us all about them. ' ' 



Later visits to the elm tree will show the tree has changed its 

 dress from green to yellow and still later that it has taken off its 

 dress completely. 



WINTER 



Observations should be made from time to time during the 

 winter. Its rough bark that insects can hide under, should be 

 noted. The cocoons of the tussock moth can be gathered and it 

 may be nuthatch or downy woodpecker will help in the gathering. 

 During the winter observations always let them hold their arms 

 as the tree holds its branches that they may feel the shape of 

 the tree, A branch kept in the room will let them see the ladder 

 like arrangement of the twigs that makes it so easy for the squirrels 

 to reach the outermost branches. After a snow storm let them 

 see how the large branches and the little twigs hold the snow. 

 Winter is the time to talk of wood and what we do with it. The 

 strong wood of the elm is used for barrels and wheel hubs. 



When Washington's Birthday is being celebrated an historical 

 touch can be given by telling them of George Washington, because 

 he became the head of our soldiers standing under an elm tree. 

 While that was years and years, and years ago the elm tree is 

 still living and people buy little twigs from it to plant in school 

 yards so that children may remember George Washington. 



SPRING 



Several weeks before the elm will bloom out doors, bring in 

 sprays to force the buds to open. Talk of the fact that last fall 

 we saw secrets on the tree that the elm would not tell until after 

 the snows. So we shall watch to see what she has to tell. There 

 will be the swelling of the buds. Then the little branches of 

 flowers with their pollen easily shaken out and then the seeds 

 that look so much like caps for a toy pistol. In connection with 

 pollenation simply state that the little elm flowers need the pollen 

 and so the wind whispering in the high tree tops carries it for them 

 instead of the bees. 



Finally the leaves folded like little fans will come from the bud 

 and all of the elm tree's secrets have been found out. This in-door 

 preparation will make it possible for the children to pictiire what 

 is going on in the top of our elm when the spring finally makes 



