36 THE NATURE STUDY COURSE. 



observation (which is the soundest basis for any career, ranging from 

 that of the poet and professional man to the tiller and lord of the soil, 

 the tradesman, the manufacturer, the inventor) and in developing in 

 connection with history and civics an intelligent attachment to both the 

 material and ideal features of our country." 



ONTARIO AND MANITOBA NATURE STUDY 

 COURSES (COMPLETE). 



Recently the Province of Ontario adopted a detailed 

 Nature Study course. A few months previous — February, 

 1904 — the Manitoba Programme of Studies underwent 

 revision, or at least re-publication, when but slight change 

 was made in its Nature Study course, in fact, the changes 

 were confined to the subdivision of physiology, hence it may 

 be assumed that the course has given good satisfaction in the 

 Prairie Province. It is supposed that a parallel statement of 

 the two courses, with suggestions for teaching them, will be 

 helpful to Nature Study teachers. The work of the five 

 Forms in the Ontario course is co-extensive with that of the 

 eight grades in the Manitoba one. The term grade is used 

 with the same meaning as year in several of the American 

 curricula. 



GENERAL. 



Ontario. — From the character of the subject the 30urse must be more 

 or less elastic, and the topics detailed in the programme are intended to 

 be suggestive rather than prescriptive. It may be that, owing to local 

 conditions, topics not named are amongst the best that can be used, but 

 all substitutions and changes shall be made a subject of consultation 

 with the Inspector. The treatment of the subject must always be suited 

 to the age and experience of the pupils, and to the seasons of the year, 

 accessibility of materials, etc. Notes shall not be dictated by the 

 teacher. Mere information, whether from book, written note, or even 

 the teacher, is not Nature Study. The acquisition of knowledge must 

 be made secondary to awakening and maintaining the pupil's interest 

 in nature, and to training him to habits of observation and investigation. 

 Books for reference and supplementary reading should, however, be 



