METHOD OF STUDYING MATERIAL. 193 



tion to each of the following steps in presenting mat- 

 ter: 



1. Name. 



2. Relation to natural environment. 



3. Habits or function (and life history (?) ). 



4. Structure (and life history (?) ). 



5. Comparison and classification, or association and 

 generalization. 



6. Application. 



The first essential in studying anything is the name ; 

 the child should know what he is studying. A name 

 which means nothing, is not based upon or does not 

 suggest any concept or idea, is very difficult to relate or 

 apperceive, and difficult therefore to remember. When- 

 ever possible, the name should be related with an idea, 

 with something which suggests the name, or from which 

 the name originated. It is best to relate the name with 

 something which the child can see. When the child 

 has learned that aster means star, the starlike appear- 

 ance of the flower will suggest the name. The names 

 starfish, sunfish, trillium (triple or three, having parts 

 in threes, sometimes called "trinity flower"), pyrite 

 (firestone), milkweed, earthworm, bloodroot, Solomon's 

 seal, painted cup, and a host of others, will be much 

 more readily apperceived and recalled or remembered 

 if the meaning of the name is explained to and im- 

 pressed on the children. 



Of course with children we will use the common 

 names, when there are any, not the technical names. 



