40 SCHOOL COURSES. 



SUMMER COURSE. 



As already indicated, the aim of the courses outlined in 

 this work is to maintain a real correspondence between the 

 work organised as Nature Study as a school subject and 

 the more or less conscious impressions received by the 

 pupils from Nature direct. If in the spring the domina- 

 ting impression is that of awakening, may we not say of 

 summer that it speaks of growth, vitality, abundance of 

 life? 



Opportunities for study crowd upon us now, and it is 

 insistent that as many as possible should be taken advan- 

 tage of. Consequently, as already stated, it is most 

 strongly advocated that time-tables should be drawn up 

 allowing for more work in Nature Study in summer. It 

 is not suggested that the time be taken from other work, 

 but that more work be apportioned to summer and corre- 

 spondingly less to autumn and to winter. This scheme is 

 drawn up on this basis. It is not likely that the whole of 

 the scheme here suggested can be undertaken in any one 

 case, but the contents will permit of choice. Similarly 

 local circumstances may determine the inclusion of some 

 things not here set down. 



OUTDOOR OBSERVATIONS : 



A summer course ought to lay great stress upon out- 

 door observations. As already laid down, it is not neces- 

 sary that numerous organised rambles be undertaken. In 

 the school garden opportunities will be afforded for outdoor 

 class work, and they should be utilised to the full. 



The following specific observations are suggested : 



(a) The usual weather records (charting, making of averages, etc., 

 to be included under indoor studies). 



(6) Recording the dates of agricultural operations on observational 

 farm. 



