6 ' THE NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [ 5 :i-jan., 1909 



material for noting concretely differences in soils, germination 

 of seeds, methods of planting and cultivation, the influence of 

 weeds and harmful insects, methods of harvesting and preparing 

 for market, and methods of preserving some products tor future 

 use. These studies of the garden lead out to farm crops. In 

 the first grade last year corn was studied as a food for animals, 

 and as food for man. The children made some corn meal "by 

 hand," cooked it as mush, and served it hot for lunch. Bird 

 studies are made which bring out their economic significance. 

 The chickadee was observed getting its food from trees and the 

 children learned its value to the farmer in ridding his trees of 

 insect eggs and larvae. In the summer quarter the children 

 prepare vegetables from the garden and serve them at luncheons. 

 The work in the thiid grade geography is a study of the life of 

 the people of Macomb and vicinity. Local topography in rela- 

 tion to how people live, considering houses, building materials, 

 dress and foods, make up a part of the work. Stock raising, 

 dairying, poultry raising, water supply, fuel, light, factory pro- 

 duction in Macomb, farming, fruit growing, roads, transporta- 

 tion, communication (as postal service, telegraphy, etc.), care 

 of the city — all receive consideration, emphasis constantly fall- 

 ing upon geographic controls. An outline in summary of one 

 unit may serve to show how industrial life and geography are 

 vitally related. 



Foods: Plants and animals as sources of food supply. Foods used 

 more in winter; in summer; reasons as far as children can ap- 

 preciate them. Articles of food made in the home. Visit a grocery 

 store; fruit store; meat market; observe cutting of pork and quarters 

 of beef into roasts, steaks, etc.; bakery, observe setting of sponge. 

 Which articles of food are already prepared when secured? Which 

 need further preparation? Note the large number of people engaged 

 in supplying other people with food. Quantitative considerations 

 furnish valuable arithmetic work. 



The fourth year's work leads out through vitally related in- 

 dustries to other parts of the world upon which we are dependent 

 for our life needs. A systematically worked out plan enables 

 the grade to cover the principal parts of the world, every one 

 approached - through some life need supplied directly or in- 

 directly by the part considered. Oysters and Chesapeake Bay; 

 Rice and Southern United States; coffee and Mexico; cutlery 

 and England; silk and France; macaroni and Italy; dates, figs, 

 and Persia — are examples indicating the means of approach. 



