192 NATURE STUDY. 



CHAPTER IX. 



THE ORDER AND METHOD OF STUDYING MATERIAL. 



HAVING discussed the principles which must deter- 

 mine method, we are ready to consider the general order 

 of study, the first step in the application of these 

 principles. 



The value of the study by children of the relation of . 

 plants and animals to their natural environment, and 

 of the study of life and habits, has been illustrated in 

 Chapters I and II, and discussed in Chapter VIII. In 

 Chapter II, on the study of the rabbit, were illustrated 

 some of the advantages of beginning with home and 

 habits, followed by the study of structure, comparison, 

 and classification. The order will be largely determined 

 by aim and the necessity of basing work on sense-per- 

 ception and apperception. Emphasizing the higher 

 aims, we begin with home, life, and habits, if they can 

 be observed. If the conditions are such, as in study of 

 starfish inland, that life and habits canhot be observed 

 by pupils, then it is often better to begin with structure, 

 that is, with what can be seen. The reasons for follow- 

 ing the order below are further discussed in connection 

 with the different steps. 



In considering method we must give some atten- 



