454 NATURE STUDY. 



LESSONS V. AND VI. HABITS, MOVEMENTS, AND SENSES. 



Walking. Have children watch pussy walk on the desk 

 or on the teacher's arm. How quietly kitty walks. Can 

 we walk as quietly ? How her toes, each with a soft pad 

 at the end, spread out, much as our fingers spread out 

 when we walk on our hands and feet. How her claws are 

 drawn in. How she moves her legs alternately, much as 

 the children do when walking " on all-fours." 



Running. Much like walking, but faster. Who can 

 run the faster, kitty, or boys and girls ? 



Climbing. How quickly kitty climbs trees or posts to 

 get away from the dogs. How does she do it ? How do 

 children use hands and fingers when climbing ? Show 

 children how kitty can extend or retract her claws. Make 

 her climb up the extended arm. Note how curved and 

 pointed the claws are. How does kitty climb down the 

 tree trunk ? Can we climb as well as kitty ? 



Jumping. Have children show how they jump (bend 

 and suddenly straighten the legs) when standing, and how 

 they jump when "on all-fours." Let kitty jump from arm 

 or table. Note how she pushes with her hind legs, and 

 how softly she alights on her fore legs. How far can she 

 jump ? Can we jump as well or as far ? 



Creeping. This posture may be seen when kitty is get- 

 ting ready to spring at a ball with which she is playing. 

 Notice how she pushes her front legs forward and her 

 hind legs somewbat backward, doubling them, and how 

 close to the ground her body is brought ; how she creeps 

 along; how her tail moves; and how quickly she springs. 



Grasping. Have children tell and show how they use 

 their arms, hands, and fingers in picking up and holding 

 things. With which legs does kitty seize the ball or string 

 when playing. Does she hold the ball tightly ? How ? 



