Report of the Executive Committee 47 



"(2) In composition time I sometimes let the children write down 

 their observations. 



"(3) Sometimes I let a child write a special account as a reward to 

 good work. 



"(4) Sometimes, as a sort of reward also, I take a group into the 

 play-ground, and we all observe the weather together, and see who 

 finds out the most things, or who notices them first." 



" Critique. I let the children tell the story in their own way. It 

 will be noticed on looking through the papers that 



" (i) There are certain of the very obvious things which come before 



our senses mentioned by all. 



"(ii) There is a characteristic statement in each (we who know the 

 children recognize it at once as a rule), that is: 



"(a) Something mentioned which others have overlooked. 

 " (b) Something described in a characteristic way." 



At Llangattock the daily position of a shadow indicating 

 the sun's height in the heavens is permanently marked on 

 the floor of the school-room. 



As an example of records of a more advanced type, and 

 which are obtained with the help of instruments, the descrip- 

 tion of the charts exhibited by Hedge End National School 

 may be given: 



" (l) Barometer. Daily readings and records were kept by the scholars 

 on charts exhibited on the school wall. Different colours were intro- 

 duced to avoid a multiplicity of charts, and also to compare readily the 

 weather during various parts of the year. The character of the day, and 

 the direction of the wind, were also connected with the daily readings. 



"(2) Temperature Chart. Daily readings on the thermometer were 

 recorded. With this were associated, in another column, records of the 

 temperature of the soil, showing the close connection of the one with 

 the other. These records, illustrating the work of the sun and connected 

 with the daily state of the weather, show how nature and agricultural 

 pursuits are affected during the various seasons of the year. The posi- 

 tion of the sun is also noted according to the season. 



"(3) Length of Day and Night Chart. This chart was devised in 

 order to show at a glance the growing or diminishing effect of the sun 

 upon nature and the work of the agriculturists, at the various seasons of 

 the year. 



"(4) Sun and Shadow Record. This chart was originated to show 



