XLIV. Some Suggestions for Natural History 

 Field Work with Children 



1. Small groups do the best work. One well-planned trip per term, 

 by squads, is better than frequent " picnics," by larger disorganized 

 classes. Much work can be planned on the " home project " basis. 



2. If you are not familiar with the region to be visited, first make a 

 careful preliminary trip by yourself, planning the route, points of 

 observation, stopping places, etc. 



3. Have a lesson period on some day before the trip, in which you 

 explain, and the class discusses, the region to be visited, objects to be 

 observed, etc. Frequently several explanations are necessary. This 

 involves local geography, local maps, compass, lists, etc. 



4. Field equipment need be neither elaborate nor expensive. Paper 

 bags, baskets, small boxes and bottles, jackknives, tin pails, nets, etc., 

 as the trip requires. Each child should have something. In upper 

 grades the pupils may each bring according to individual preference, 

 kodak, insect net, botany can, geology hammer, etc. 



5. Plan so that the pupils will be comfortably occupied with work 

 throughout the trip, neither long idle gaps, nor rigid " schoolroomish- 

 ness." Individual problems may be provided one squad list the trees 

 seen, another the birds, etc. Restless older pupils may be put in specific 

 charge of small squads of the younger pupils. 



6. Do not expect to accomplish too much; field work makes large 

 demands upon the " time-element," and cannot be crammed. Keep 

 fairly close to a few specified lines of observation and study; do not 

 discourage individual study outside of these lines, but do not permit 

 undue dissipation of interest. The work is to be done seriously, neither 

 over-solemnly nor as a mere pastime. 



7. Pupils must come dressed suitably for such a trip clothing that 

 will not be injured by a dusty road, a slight shower or a marshy field. 



8. A short trip is usually better than a long one, unless some distant 

 place is to be visited. Two hours is a safe limit. The older the pupils 

 the longer the trip may be. All-day trips are apt to become " picnicky " 

 especially during the period after lunch. 



9. Train the pupils to be well mannered out-of-doors, to shut gates, 

 avoid injuring property, clean up after lunch, start no fires, etc. This 

 is largely a matter of suggestion and thoughtfulness. 



10. The results of the trips should be used at the next class periods, 

 while impressions are fresh and accurate. This affords excellent drill 



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