228 NATURE STUDY 



questions which they must answer silently, such as the 

 following: How many parts are there? What is the 

 color of each part ? Describe with one word the surface. 

 Turn the leaf over ; what do you observe with reference 

 to the color and the surface of the under side ? Look at 

 the margin of the leaf. Make a drawing of the upper 

 and also of the lower surface, indicating with words 

 anything additional you may have observed. Collect 

 drawings. 



For the second lesson, place on the board outline draw- 

 ings of the leaf studied. Teach the terms " blade," " leaf 

 stalk," "veins." Erase drawings and words, give out 

 fresh leaves, and conduct an oral language lesson on 

 the points to which their observation was directed the 

 first day. Have them taste the leaf, first the stalk, 

 then the blade. Ask if it has any odor. If not, let 

 them suggest that crushing and bruising will bring 

 out whatever perfume it may have. Guard them against 

 the rather dangerous practice of tasting everything 

 within reach. Give out paper. Ask them to make 

 other drawings, naming the parts, adding to it in words 

 whatever they cannot show with the pencil. After- 

 wards allow them to compare the first work with the 

 second. 



Give to each child a small note-book. These may be 

 purchased in quantities for a cent each. To each at- 

 tach securely a pencil. On the first page let each make 

 a map of the route from his home to the school. Give 

 to each child another leaf, and ask him to put in his 

 plan every tree bearing these leaves which he sees on 

 the way home. Send him a second time, to find out 

 which of these is the most beautiful, and why. Let this 

 be his tree, and let him gradually learn all that he can 



