SPRING NATURE STUDY. 



AIMS AND OPPORTUNITIES. A LOOK AHEAD. 



THE best season for beginning or emphasizing nature 

 study is the spring. Nature then attracts the attention of 

 the least observant, invites the least interested. Even 

 those who are almost nature-blind at other seasons notice 

 the evidences of renewed life in the spring, the develop- 

 ing seed, bud, leaf, and flower, the return of the birds, 

 the activity of rain and stream. 



We have agreed that in nature study, as, indeed, in all 

 education, the first essential is to interest the children. In 

 spring, if at no other time, they are interested, deeply, 

 intensely interested. 



At this season none of them need be urged to use their 

 eyes. They do need to be directed, inspired, helped to 

 carefully observe and study, not merely glance at, the beau- 

 ties of nature, and lifted up to discover the lessons which 

 nature teaches. 



A great advantage in the spring is the abundance of 

 material ; plants are particularly good, because the mate- 

 rial is usually so abundant that there is opportunity for 

 individual study by each pupil. The pupils of even the 

 most shut-in and unenlightened (by sunlight) city schools 

 can plant seeds, and study germination, and can usually get 

 a few branches or even weeds, to watch the development 

 of buds or the protection and unfolding of leaves. 



In the spring there is greater opportunity for the study 

 of life ; and children are interested in life, development, and 



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