METHOD OF STUDYING MATERIAL. 207 



dren. Without this it degenerates into mere guessing, 

 which is worse than nothing is not only useless, but 

 injurious. 



The teacher may help or guide them by occasional 

 definite questions, perhaps one or two a day, written 

 on a corner of the blackboard ; such questions as, " Find 

 out exactly how the caterpillar eats and what it has to 

 eat with," or " How does the caterpillar crawl ? " 

 " With how many legs ? " " Does it use them all in 

 the same way ? " 



To lead each pupil to observe for himself, it may be 

 well to urge the pupils not to tell others what they have 

 observed. Sometimes it is helpful to have each one 

 write an account of his observations, of what he himself 

 has learned, before there is any class recitation. 



The order in studying habits and function of plants 

 or animals is not material. We should begin with those 

 most easily observed and leave to the last those most 

 difficult for the pupils to see. In gathering up the b- 

 servations in the class or in writing, however, all that 

 has been learned about any one topic, as eating, moving, 

 or breathing, should be brought out or told before pass- 

 ing to a new topic. 



Here, in connection with the life and function, is the 

 place to bring in the literature. The literature, if well 

 selected, and the study of life, react on each other most 

 helpfully at this point. 



