INSECTS IN THE COURSE OF STUDY 



By L. S. HAWKINS, CORTLAND NORMAL SCHOOL AND CORNELL UNIVERSITY 



Certainly no group of living animals is found in greater 

 abundance or more generally distributed in our country than are 

 the insects. They swarm everywhere on land and in the water. 

 They are easily watched, readily caught, and full of interest. 

 Many of the insects are of great economic importance and come 

 close to the life of the child. It is from the child's standpoint that 

 we need to approach the study of these active creatures. 



Children six or seven years old are interested in color and 

 form as masses rather than details and so their natural class- 

 ifications are based on broad lines. They are first of all actively 

 interested in getting acquainted with a great number of indi- 

 viduals and are indifterent to any but the most striking habits 

 or relationships. Size is comparative in their minds. Each in- 

 sect is compared in size with some other. General color and 

 striking markings form the basis for color ideas. The following 

 chart shows an organization of the work based on the natural in- 

 terest of the child: 



Grades 5 and 6 

 A. B. C. & D. Same 

 as group two 

 if new 



E. Importance of 



Insects 



1. Beneficial forms 



2. Harmful forms 



3. Doubtful forms 



F. Means of control 

 of insect pests 



1. Parasites 



2. Predaceous 

 forms 



3. Poison 



4. Smothering 



The main aim in the first and second year should be to se- 

 cure the recognition of a number of forms. The ideas of size, 

 color, and form should be directed to this end. The following 



