OUR METHODS IN GENERAL. 13 



indoors of a detailed character upon material collected or 

 observed at the excursions. Some judgment will be 

 required on the part of the teacher so that he or she may 

 on the one hand encourage a free delight in nature and at 

 the same time exercise a controlling influence, guiding 

 thought and action so that the work may be really 

 educative. 



THE WORK WITHIN THE SCHOOL. 



The work within the school is designed primarily to 

 heighten the interest and cultivate the understanding of 

 the pupils with reference to the world of nature outside. 

 It is calculated to store the mind with knowledge, and to 

 afford mental discipline, cultivating the art of clear think- 

 ing and giving power to interpret nature's problems. 



The Courses here outlined and the lessons worked out in 

 detail are put forward as practical illustrations of indoor 

 studies which ought in large measure to fit in harmoniously 

 with outdoor work. In the case of the lessons, the main 

 idea has been to convey the subject-matter in a form such 

 as the teacher might adopt with a class, and different 

 grades of class have been kept in view. 



It will of course be understood that the information 

 worked out in some of the lessons may prove beyond the 

 capacity of even the senior pupils. None of it should be 

 beyond the teacher, and while the general methods of 

 teaching adopted are suggested as suitable for school work, 

 the teacher must decide ultimately exactly what facts are 

 to be taught to a particular class. But our aim as a rule 

 has been to enlarge the horizon of the teacher, so that he 

 or she may be in possession of more facts than are suitable 

 for the child. Only when so equipped cah the teacher be 

 effective in the best degree. 



It will be understood that whilst a considerable number 

 of subjects is dealt with in the lessons, no attempt has 

 been made to cover all the subjects which are suggested 

 in the Courses outlined 



