6 HOW TO USE THIS BOOK 



following the questions under the heading "Observation," and 

 then draws the specimen and writes about it. A short oral 

 recitation on the observation questions should also be con- 

 ducted. If the oral work is done at the beginning of a period, 

 the pupils will have a guide for their writing; but if the 

 writing is done first, the pupils can exercise the more origi- 

 nality and independence in their observations and expression. 

 Whether the oral or the written work should be given first 

 will depend on the class. 



The supplementary work is printed in smaller type, and is 

 designed to be given either as oral or as written work when the 

 pupils have made their observations. In some of the subjects 

 parts of this work may not be given until months after the first 

 parts of the lessons have been given. 



Method of the Composition Writing. In composition writing 

 there are two distinct processes : 



1. Expressing thought clearly. 



2. Adjusting expression to accepted standards. 



In compositions connected with nature study lessons em- 

 phasis should be placed on clearness of expression. Details 

 of grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and penman- 

 ship belong to the period devoted to language proper, and, in a 

 nature study lesson, should not be brought out so prominently 

 that the pupils fear to write. While an advanced student 

 should be able to write correctly without conscious effort, a 

 child can not be perfect in the mechanical details of his com- 

 position without devoting more time and effort to them than 

 to the subject-matter itself. A practical method for securing 

 both clearness and correctness is to have the pupils write their 

 nature study compositions during a single unbroken period, 

 paying special attention to directness and clearness. Then let 

 the teacher use these compositions as a basis for work during 

 the language period. 



