18 FOREWORD TO TEACHERS 



been useful. For the idea of the biological survey of a neighbor- 

 hood, I wish to thank Professor Clifton F. Hodge, and his sugges- 

 tive and inspiring Nature Study and Life. William H. Allen has 

 kindly permitted the use of some of his excellent tables compiled 

 in Civics and Health; to him I also extend hearty thanks. 



The arrangement of the laboratory problems, previously used 

 by Mr. Sharpe and myself in the manual accompanying the 

 Essentials of Biology, claims no originality except in application. 

 The laboratory problem form was first worked out, so far as I 

 am aware, by Arthur Stone Dewing in a manual prepared for the 

 Knott Apparatus Company. This book adapts the problem 

 method to young students in an urban community. 



The problem questions given at the end of each chapter follow 

 the old and tried plan of summary questions given at the end of a 

 chapter in a textbook for the purpose of bringing together the 

 important points in the mind of the pupil. These questions are 

 so formulated as to make the student use the material worked over 

 in the laboratory, together with the additional information gleaned 

 from the text, so as to reach definite and clear-cut conclusions 

 concerning the essential points in the chapter just finished. 



Nearly every laboratory chapter has been prefaced with a few 

 words to the teacher. These are important, as they serve to indi- 

 cate the viewpoint of the writer and the philosophy underlying 

 the various parts of the book. It is hoped that these suggestions 

 may add clarity and help those who use this book to organize 

 their work. 



