CHAPTER XXI 



SUGGESTIONS FOR CONDUCTING WORK IN THE SEVENTH 

 AND EIGHTH GRADES 



THE purpose of the work in the seventh and eighth 

 grades in addition to the training in accurate observation, 

 open-mindedness, and independence of thought, is to aid 

 the pupils in acquiring a knowledge of fundamental prin- 

 ciples underlying successful agriculture. 



Much may be accomplished by following the same 

 plan as with the lower grades. Some of the general 

 exercise studies may be carried much farther by these 

 pupils. They may be given specific problems to work out, 

 and special reading in connection with the subject under 

 discussion. For example, with the study of grasshoppers, 

 have them find out to what extent these insects injure the 

 grain crops in their district; or what field birds help most 

 in keeping these and other insects in check. Refer them to 

 bulletins that will give them information along these lines. 



If the work in these grades accomplishes all that it 

 should, it ought to have at least two recitation periods 

 devoted to it each week. The need of experiments as 

 well as observation makes this almost essential. 



So far as possible, the work of each year as indicated 

 in the outline has been made a unit. By this arrangement 

 the work of the two years may alternate, a plan that works 

 in many country schools. 



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