34 



Lessons in Nature Study. 



SIZES OF LEAVES. 



Should the teacher think best, the children may add col- 

 umns on distance around, measuring as near as may be the 

 margin of each leaf. 



That is rather too much to ask unless the margin is very 

 regular. It is well to have one or two margins measured. 

 Few people realize the distance around any object. This 

 scheme will furnish instructive work for two or three les- 

 sons. Don't push any observation lesson until the child 

 feels it to be a task. When interest begins to wane, drop 

 it and turn the attention elsewhere. 



Another drill in observation of size and measurement of 

 handy forms is to have each child procure a piece of string 

 not less than three yards long. Take the yardstick and 

 appoint them two and two to measure the circumference 

 of several trees about two feet from the ground. Let them 

 use the string, and then by applying it to the yardstick 

 they can tell the distance around any tree in the yard. 

 This is eminently practical work, and will benefit the pupil 

 in many ways. 



I have found children fifteen years old who did not 

 know how to use a measure, and who had no conception 

 of distance, yet they knew the tables by heart. Out on such 

 methods! One fifteen minutes spent in measuring any ob- 

 ject is better in the practical results than any table learned 

 by heart to-day, forgotten to-morrow. 



Another most interesting lesson on measurement is to 

 take some place beneath the trees in early autumn when 

 the leaves lie around upon the ground. Measure a square 

 yard on the ground and have the leaves counted which lie 

 in the space. The number will astonish most pupils. 



