ON THE TEAOniNC; OF SCIENCE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. 483 



Board has also entered into arrangements with the custodians of the Royal 

 Parks for a weekly supply of cut flowers, leaves, &c., to furnish illustra- 

 tions of the reading lessons as well as material for the scientific study of 

 Botany. The Nature-Study Exhibition Association has been organised 

 for the purpose of creating an interest in biological studies and of 

 illustrating the most approved methods of arranging school museums and 

 other appliances for teaching. The Exhibition consisted of a large 

 collection of objects gathered by children in their own neighbourhoods, 

 and of drawings which tliey had made from the plants and animals them- 

 selves, and of manuscript notes as to their development. These illustra- 

 tions were generally given in tlieir proper colours, and often with the aid 

 of the microscope. The Exhibition was made still more valuable by a 

 series of conferences conducted by ladies and gentlemen who have given 

 special attention to Nature study. 



On the Conditions of Health essential to the Garryinrj on of the Worlt 

 of Instruction in Schools. — Beport of the Committee, consisting of 

 Professor 0. S. Sherrington {Chairman), Mr, E. White WALLiy 

 {Secretary), Mr. E. W. Brabrook, Dr. C, W. Kimmins, Pi'ofessor 

 L. C. MiALL, and Professor H. L. Withers. 



The Committee had co-operating with them in their investigations 

 and deliberations the valuable assistance of Dr. C. Childs, Dr. Clement 

 Dukes, Miss Findlay, Miss Ravenhill, Dr. Rivers, Mr. J. Russell, and 

 Dr. Sydney Stephenson. 



In all methods adopted for carrying on the work of instruction in 

 schools health conditions must be recognised as an essential principle, 

 seeing that in most cases the greater part of a child's day is spent within 

 the influence of the scliool, and no teaching can be considered sue- 

 cessful unless so arranged that the health of the scholars may be properly 

 maintained. 



The health conditions relating to school life which appeared to the 

 Committee to be appropriate for consideration include : — 



1. Bodily nourishment. 



2. Clothing. 



3. Housing of children in schools. 



4. The working of the bodily functions and organs of sense. 



5. Physical exercise. 



6. The apportionment of time to work and rest, including length of 

 lessons and holidays. 



7. Healthy tone of mind and morals. 



8. Preventive and precautionary measures against infectious diseases. 



It was not considered practicable to deal with all of these subjects in 

 the first report, and it was therefore decided to direct attention to the 

 following points : — 



A collection and tabulation of records of original observations on the 

 periods of day appropriate for different studies, the length of lessons, and 

 periods of study suitable for children of different ages. 



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