58 NATURE STUDY REVIEW 1 9 : 2— Feb, 1913 



furnishes the source of suppHes for developing the artistic sense. 



We have the beauty, forms and conventional designs, and 

 the natural studies in form and color which are always ready for 

 a drawing lesson. 



Here, where nature bestows her abundance in fascinating va- 

 riety, the teacher, in order to give to the lesson its greatest value, 

 should have at hand the basis of scientific fact, which is a con- 

 stant quantity. This can be found in books prepared especially 

 for the subject. We then have a study not only in artistic ef- 

 fect, but our drawing is accurately based upon fact, and is in ad- 

 dition a valuable tree-study lesson. 



Tree Study by Blackboard Illustration. 



The importance of blackboard drawings can hardly be over- 

 estimated. 



Visual impressions are constant educators and fix the con- 

 cept permanently in the mind of the child. 



In my own experience, I was continually using tree materials 

 for decorating the blackboard. In the spring it is the buds and 

 blossoms, and in autumn the pretty colored leaves — whatever the 

 children bring that can be used. In order to make a complete 

 and instructive lesson, you wish to show more of the fife history 

 than is given in the branch brought in. Scientific drawings are 

 heavy with detail and lacking in artistic effect. Even the knowl- 

 edge of what a characteristic leaf is reaches quite into the realm 

 of science — far beyond the province of the regular teacher. What 

 is needed is an artistic drawing^ simple in outline, accurate in the 

 essentials that are imiportant to the primary teacher, together 

 with a statement of the elementary details within the comprehen- 

 sion of children. The drawing can then be a valuable lesson in 

 visual instruction. 



We may be making a border, or decorating the blackboard 

 at the back of the room which can't be used for lessons, or 

 ornamenting a calendar, or making use of a leaf in the language 

 or number lesson — in whatever way we use the tree material, we 

 are giving to the child a mental concept, and if clear and accurate, 

 our drawing stands as a silent educator, giving its lesson of last- 

 ing value. 



Tree Study by Visual Instruction. 



The teacher can accomplish much by appreciating the value 

 of visual instruction. There should be an effort to give single 

 ideas so as not to confuse. If the lesson is on the Red Maple, 

 the Red Maple should be used to the exclusion of all other trees 



