METHOD OF STUDYING MATERIAL. 199 



upon all the work in nature study, and tend to postpone 

 the time when this natural method of studying the 

 children's natural environment shall be followed in 

 other subjects, such as local geography and history. 



The secret of a successful field lesson is : A definite 

 aim or object understood by each pupil as well as by 

 the teacher, definite work for each pupil, followed by 

 a definite report on and review of what is observed. 

 In a field-lesson, with the freedom and lack of restraint, 

 and with distracting surroundings, from which the 

 schoolroom is largely free, definiteness in aim and plan 

 is more important than it is in any other work. 



The pupils should have, in the preceding lessons, 

 enough to interest them in what they are to observe 

 out-of-doors, and each pupil should know just what he 

 is to investigate. It is helpful to have several points 

 which all are to investigate and report upon orally, 

 and, in addition, to give each pupil one or more ques- 

 tions upon which he is to report. If the reports can be 

 in writing, so much the better. 



After the pupils individually have done all they 

 think they can do alone, with such suggestions here 

 and there as the teacher may be able to give, it is often 

 helpful for the teacher to gather the pupils about her 

 in the field, and correct any serious errors. The definite 

 review or summary will usually be more successful in 

 the schoolroom. 



If a field lesson with the class is or seems impossible, 

 the teacher will find it helpful to go out occasionally 

 with a few pupils after school or on Saturday. For the 



