PREFACE vii 



formed with simple apparatus, and the directions are 

 specific both as to the form of apparatus and as to the 

 quantity of materials to be used. A special feature is a 

 series of alternative experiments, in which the apparatus 

 used is so simple that it can be made at home. If desired, 

 most of these alternative experiments may be performed 

 by the pupil at home. If the laboratory facilities of the 

 school are limited, none but these simple experiments 

 need necessarily be used. We have become so accus- 

 tomed, in our well-equipped schools, to laboratory ap- 

 paratus which has certain definite forms and requires 

 certain set manipulations that we are likely to forget that 

 the setting up of home-made apparatus is usually far more 

 stimulating to the pupil than even the best of ready- 

 made equipment. Only by linking our science with 

 everyday things can we hope to convince the pupil that 

 science is only common sense applied to daily life. 



The handbook on the ' ' Teaching of First- Year Science " 

 forms the third part of the book. It contains material 

 intended chiefly for the teacher's use. Here are dis- 

 cussed the topics suitable for recitation and the methods of 

 presenting them, the amount and kind of work to be 

 expected of pupils, answers to exercises, and a list of 

 experiments, carefully planned, to be performed by the 

 teacher before, or, better, with the class. The handbook 

 is designed to assist the teacher in every possible way in 

 making the elementary science course profitable and 

 stimulating. 



In the preparation of this book the writer has neces- 

 sarily consulted many textbooks of Science, and put 

 himself under deep obligation to their authors. To all of 



