CHAPTER XIX. 



GIVE THE YOUNG OBSERVERS A CHOICE 



Nature study should be spontaneous on the 

 part of the pupil. To most pupils nature study is 

 a privilege and a pleasure. To these it is a very 

 simple matter to make it a tonic and not a task. 



But the problem comes when we regard the few 

 who do not regard it as a privilege or a pleasure, 

 and the few larger pupils in the class who, per- 

 chance, may regard the bringing in of specimens 

 or the telling about them as " kiddish " as I once 

 heard a boy express it. 



If there is a certain period assigned to nature 

 study, shall this period be merely one of laziness 

 or indifference on the part of these few? That is 

 a question that often confronts a teacher. Or 

 shall certain pupils be allowed to hold entirely 

 aloof from the informal work, even if there is not 

 a definite nature-study period ? 



It is true that nature study should be a pleasure, 

 and it is a pleasure to most pupils, but this does 

 not annul the fact that it should be required. 



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