RELATION TO GEOGEAPHY AND ARITHMETIC. 285 



Friends of nature study must remember that the so- 

 lution of the question is as important for nature study 

 as for geography. As has already been stated, the value 

 of nature study will be largely judged by its effects on 

 " the essentials," reading, writing, arithmetic, and geog- 

 raphy. 



In considering the work in nature study as a prepara- 

 tion for and aid in geography, the need of a definite 

 plan of work or course of study becomes most evident. 

 The value of nature study to geography depends largely 

 on the material selected for study. Hence the discus- 

 sion in the following pages is largely limited to the 

 selection of material. 



It seems wise to consider the relation of nature study 

 to geography first in the lower grades, where it is a prep- 

 aration for and introduction to geography, and later in 

 the upper grades. 



What work in nature study in the earlier school- 

 years will be most helpful in geography? 



The child's physical environment includes : 



First. The earth as a member of the solar system 

 and of the material universe. 



Second. The earth itself and its three envelopes, 

 land, water, air. 



Third. The life of the earth, plants, animals, man. 



Of the earth as a member of the solar system, or in 

 its relations to sun and moon and planets and stars, the 

 child in the first three or four years of his school life can 

 get no intelligent conception. It seems utterly useless 



