bailey] nature-study in GENESEO 



419 



We make use of any available material, such as insects, animals, 

 birds, flowers, weeds and trees. Whenever possible, material and 

 specimens are brought back to the school room where they are 

 cared for and studied. The children are also encouraged to keep 

 a sharp look-out and bring in any specimens which they find on 

 their way back and forth to school. Much good material has been 

 secured in this way. 



Each grade has certain general topics which we study during 

 the year. On each trip we make a special effort to study and col- 

 lect material for these subjects; but any other interesting material 

 which we find is also used. Often specimens for the other grades 

 are found and carried back for them to use. 



Third Grade 



During the fall in this grade we study some of the commoner 

 insects, but give special attention to the study and collecting of 

 insect homes. The children study these homes for the purpose of 

 discovering the material used in their construction ; the manner in 

 which they are constructed ; and the use of the home. They study 

 to find out whether the home is made for the protection of the 

 larva or for the adult ; for the protection of the insect while eating: 

 or as a place in which to rest. 



Leaf rollers, leaf miners, nests of the silver skipper, wasps nests, 

 ants' nests, galls, web worms, spiders' webs, the homes of such 

 insects as live under sticks and stones, and all kinds of cocoons are 

 collected and studied. Many of them are used in making a chart. 

 This saves the specimens for future use and preserves them much 

 better than laying them away in boxes. 



We also study the dissemination of seeds. We divide them into 

 groups according to the manner in which they are scattered; as 

 the flyaways; the sailors; the jumpers; the coasters and skaters; 

 the tumblers; the tramps; nuts; and bird's seeds (Fultz). A 

 number of these groups are arranged in charts for c()m])aris()ii and 

 preservation. 



A few of the common weeds, flowers and trees arc studied. 'V\\v 

 children learn to recognize the trees during the fall 1)\' their sha])c, 

 the leaf, and the bark. In the winter the leafless trees are studied 

 and in the spring we continue the study of tne sam{^ trees as tlic 

 buds begin to swell. We also make a special study of one or Iwt 

 of the evergreens during the winter and some of th(> winter I'U-ds. 



