9 o THE NA TURE-STUD Y RE VIE W [3 : 3-M a r. , 1907 



mary consideration and that nature-study as such must be sec- 

 ondary or incidental to the recitation. Too often there is an 

 entire wandering away from the subject of the recitation. The 

 nature-study enthusiast often permits himself to be drawn away 

 from the regular lesson by irrelevant although important ques- 

 tions asked by the children. 



In the field trip, which may be only a school-yard trip or a 

 short walk down the road, nature work is of primary con- 

 sideration. Occasionally in opening exercises, or in the Friday 

 afternoon half-hour the observation lesson should have the right 

 of way. 



Since not as much time can be given to following any nicely 

 planned, suggestive outlines in reports, books, etc., the most 

 should be made of such time as is available, and every opportun- 

 ity that presents itself to the teacher should be utilized. Exper- 

 ience has led the writer to believe that observations that were in 

 the main incidental to the regular school work have created a 

 love for nature quite as genuine as comes from following a hard 

 and fixed plan. While nature work in the grades should arouse 

 an interest in the further study of the natural sciences, it must 

 not be forgotten that something must be left for the high school. 

 We teachers owe it to ourselves as much as to the children to 

 be quite as well informed as possible, but, at no time should we 

 be above being a learner, or in the attitude of a learner, with 

 the children. 



The regular reading-lessons furnish much material for con- 

 firmation, criticism, and questions. A few lines from a second 

 reader in general use will be suggestive : 



"Twinkle, twinkle, little star." 



Do stars always twinkle? Look at a very large, bright star, 

 then look at small ones. 



"For you never shut your eye, 

 Till the sun is in the sky." 



W^hat is meant by the star shutting its eye? Do stars shine 

 in the daytime? If so, why can't we see them? 



"Spots of red dot his head." What are these spots? 



''Three small pairs made of hairs." How many would three 

 pairs be? How many feet has a fly? 



