13] Introduction. 2O5 



how to make use of cyclopedias and books of reference; 

 in general, how to gain knowledge from all the experi- 

 ences and circumstances of life. 



This college, where teachers are prepared for their 

 profession, has connected with it, as a very important part 

 of it, a Model School, consisting of four departments, 

 Kindergarten, Primary, Grammar and High School. This 

 Model School is maintained for two reasons; first, to give 

 a concrete example of what the public schools should be, 

 and second, to furnish an opportunity for the apprentice 

 teachers to practice, under competent supervision, those 

 methods of teaching in which they are being instructed. 

 Natural Science is taught in all departments of this Model 

 School. 



In the lower grades, the purpose is to "arouse and guide 

 the curiosity of the child," to "develop in him the spirit 

 of investigation," so that, whether he goes up into the 

 higher grades or out into life, he will go on to seek knowl- 

 edge. The child is taught that, although older people 

 may snub him for asking questions, Nature will not do so 

 and, if he learns how to put questions to her, she will 

 answer him not only kindly but truthfully. He is allowed 

 the pleasure of seeking information, it is never forced upon 

 him. This is wholly at variance with the prevailing 

 custom of pouring in facts and requiring the children to 

 memorize certain formulated doctrines of which they have 

 no adequate conception. Schools will be carried on with 

 much less friction and with vastly greater profit when 

 teachers and school authorities learn that cramming facts 

 from a text-book of science is as useless as it is loath- 

 some to the pupils. Every one, who has undertaken to 

 teach natural science in the higher grades by experi- 

 mental methods, knows how the spirit of investigation 

 seems to have been killed in them. Mental indigestion 

 lias long since spoiled their appetite. 



Since, in lower grades, the purpose is not to " present 



