DEARNESs] BAKING BUNS AS NATURE-STUDY 23 



leaf unfolding from the bud, or the grasshopper eating, grasping, 

 leaping in the open field or in the school-room cage. From this 

 point of view even baking currant-buns can be made the matter 

 of good ''nature-study." 



The history of the wheat plant, and of the yeast-plant, the 

 story of procuring fuel and producing cooking utensils can be 

 related in any school but bun-making can be treated as nature- 

 study only where children can have opportunity to observe the 

 process. Granted that a teacher who knows his class can enjoy such 

 experience what is wrong with the assignment of a nature-study 

 lesson in the following manner? "Next week I wish each and all 

 of you to observe the making of a pan of currant-buns. Note 

 the articles that are used; the order in which they are mixed." 



"Try to find out by experiment what difference it makes if 

 the salt is left out; if the yeast is omitted. Should the salt be 

 added before the yeast, or is it better to put it in afterwards? 

 Is the salt added dry or dissolved?" 



"What changes take place with the kneading? Does the 

 dough increase in volume after it enters the oven? How can 

 you tell when it is baked enough?" 



"Seek the privilege of making some buns yourself or at least of 

 helping to make them as much as you are given the chance." 



"Next Friday please remember to bring to school a bun that you 

 have made, or helped to make or seen made. Prepare to tell its 

 story and to answer the questions about it that you may be asked 

 by me or by your fellow-pupils." 



Investigational lessons like this may be based upon the experi- 

 ences of the farm, of the garden, of the household. When con- 

 ducted along the lines of observing, doing, trying to find out 

 with the expectation of being asked "how" and "why" at every 

 turn the pupils are deriving the results of genuine nature-study 

 training, and the teacher may reasonably expect such training to 

 promote their usefulness and happiness. 



