182 The Nature-Study Idea 



choose your teachers. Choose those that have 

 enthusiasm and "good spirit" and that are not 

 tied hand and foot to customary methods. 

 Choose the fearless teachers the ones that are 

 anxious to arouse the pupils even though they 

 do not do it by the book. Then give these 

 teachers one good lesson yourself. Or, if you 

 cannot give the lesson, put in their hands one 

 good nature-study leaflet. Choose the leaflet 

 as you would a teacher for cheery outlook, 

 energy, and directness of expression. Choose 

 a leaflet that sends the teacher directly to nature ; 

 you do not want stories. Choose the leaflet 

 that has snap and spirit, not mere information. 

 It should be attractive in subject-matter and in 

 mechanical execution. Never put a cheaply 

 illustrated and poorly printed leaflet before a 

 pupil. Remember that children are optimists, 

 and that they want the best in both teacher and 

 leaflet. Let the teacher study the object and 

 the leaflet until the subject is mastered. When 

 the teacher is full of the subject, he cannot help 

 teaching. 



If you are fortunate enough to have the 



