Suggestions and Course of Study 113 



assimilate, fifth generalize, sixth appreciate, seventh 

 express our knowledge and appreciation and, eight, 

 apply our knowledge in the regulation of our lives and 

 in the pursuit of new truths. These processes in- 

 volve (i) the reception of external impressions through 

 the senses, (2) the elaboration of those impressions 

 into knowledge, (3) the training of the body to the 

 efficient execution of the decrees of our better judgment. 



The pupil's interest in this work has much to do 

 with its success. This is especially true in the lower 

 grades. The choice of suitable subjects is an im- 

 portant matter in the lower grades. Familiar living 

 things seem often to be most interesting. Variety, too, 

 is demanded by children. As the pupil advances in 

 the grades, mere curiosity, the chief stimulus in young 

 pupils, should gradually yield to love of knowledge for 

 its own sake. A more intensive study of things in 

 the upper grades is thus made possible and less variety 

 is required. 



Planning the work, so as to economize time, is the 

 teacher's chief work. Such planning need not reduce 

 the work to routine. It can be so done as to escape the 

 attention of the pupil; he feeling the wholesome 

 stimulus of spontaneity and freedom, while uncon- 

 sciously pursuing the course outlined. Unsystematic 

 work with no aim or purpose on the part of the teacher, 

 is not worthy to be called school work; since it par- 

 takes of that chance value which belongs to the un- 

 directed activities of the playground. The higher the 

 grade the more systematic the work should be made. 

 Nature study becomes scientific in proportion as it 

 is made systematic. It is doubtless true that system- 

 atic work gradually secured through the pupil's spon- 

 taneous activity is a result greatly to be desired. Law- 

 lessness may be a necessity with the very young pupil, 

 but it is inconsistent with anything that can be called 

 a study of the laws of nature. 



OF THE 



UNIVERSITY 



