CHAPTER XVI 



STUDY OF WEATHER 



NOTHING in nature is more closely related to our 

 lives than weather and weather phenomena. For this 

 reason some time should be spent in making weather 

 observations, drawing conclusions, and noting effects of 

 weather on plant and animal life. 



To bring about the best results, the study should be 

 continued through several months. The work may well 

 begin in September and be conducted as a general exercise, 

 but the seventh-grade pupils should be responsible for 

 seeing that the observations are recorded. 



Start the work by asking the pupils what the term 

 weather means to them. The discussion will no doubt 

 bring out ideas of heat, rain, drought, snow, cold, clouds, 

 winds, storms. 



In many localities September is one of the driest 

 months in the year. This being the case, make the first 

 observation in connection with drought. Start with the 

 problem, what is the effect of dry weather on plant life? 

 Ask the children to look at the plants in the garden. 

 What plants are best able to stand dry weather ? Which 

 ones are least able to stand it ? Observe the plants in the 

 lawn, in pastures, cornfields, oats stubble, meadows, and 

 roadside. Why are some of these plants able to keep 

 green and vigorous while others are dry and withered ? 



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