Viii PREFACE 



Part Two of this text contains a detailed topical outline by 

 grades and seasons of the materials used in nature study in the 

 training school at the Illinois State Normal University. Though 

 this program has stood the test of repeated satisfactory use in 

 practically all its parts, and represents the result of much sifting 

 and rejection and rearrangement, it is by no means to be 

 interpreted as fixed. It represents simply the present status 

 of the work. Each season is certain to bring its quota of minor 

 modifications, either of addition or subtraction. 



The detailed outlines for work upon selected topics which, 

 as models, follow the topical outline are believed to be rather 

 more definite in character than many heretofore appearing, 

 and are designed to be of service primarily to teachers who are 

 called upon to handle the subject with slight previous training. 

 They are not indicative of any belief on the part of the authors 

 that all nature study material should be so prescribed as to 

 manner of treatment. They represent simply an effort to ful- 

 fill the function suggested in the general title; to aid in making 

 nature study practical, not so much under ideal conditions as 

 under the conditions of teaching as we have them. In these 

 outlines references to other books for necessary information is 

 avoided, the design being to make each outline as nearly as 

 possible complete in itself and ready for use. 



Part Three contains a shorter outline for the work in the 

 lower grades arranged according to seasons, and leading more 

 directly to the agricultural studies of the seventh and eighth 

 grades. It also contains suggestions for conducting certain 

 studies without having any special place on the daily program 

 for nature study, and in coordination with the other school 

 subjects. But it is principally devoted to an outline course 

 for elementary agriculture in the seventh and eighth grades with 

 most of the lessons worked out in detail. This material and 

 these lessons have all been used in regular class work and found 



