406 ILLINOIS STATE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 



A few magazines are practically indispensable to the 

 General Science course. I doubt if I would consider 

 teaching. another General Science class without the mag- 

 azines listed below. 



1. Popular Science Monthly. 



2. Nature Magazine. 



3. Hygiea. 



In addition to these publications there are numerous ex- 

 hibits prepared by various commercial companies, also 

 pamphlets, circulars and bulletins. Perhaps the best 

 supplementary material is to be found when conditions 

 permit the use of a motion picture projector. Visual 

 education has come to stay and when it is impossible to 

 take the class to the subject under study, a very satis- 

 factory substitute may be made by bringing films and' 

 slides to the class. The large number of companies pro- 

 ducing educational films makes it a relatively easy mat- 

 ter to secure suitable films at small expense. 



A feature of the work that I have found to be worth 

 while during the present year is a Science Scrap Book. 

 For this the children are asked to cut clippings, pictures, 

 various kinds of specimens, etc., classify same and put 

 in a book which they may keep. This encourages them 

 to read, to observe carefully and in general ties up the 

 science course with their daily life. 



A Science Club presents many possibilities for human- 

 izing the work in General Science. I regret to report 

 that I have never seen my way clear to organize such a 

 club as the time seemed well taken up with supervision, 

 athletics, etc. The arguments however are all in favor 

 of such a club providing the proper supervision and help 

 can be given. 



If this course is to be successfully humanized, the 

 second task of the teacher is to eliminate undesirable 

 elements. In addition to the elimination of the formal 

 question and answer type of recitation, two other changes 

 may be profitably made. Too often the beginning sci- 

 ence course is made a one text book course. While there 

 are several very good text books on this subject, and 

 permit me to say that I personally consider our friend, 

 Mr. Hessler's book to be the best on the market, yet the 



