OUTLINE OF NATURP: STIDY. 13 



materials," and only the most common "earth materials," such as lime- 

 stone, quartz, and sandstone, and the granitic rocks, are studied. Physics 

 is a study of "earth forces," and only water, air, and heat are studied dur- 

 ing the first four years. As an aid in geography, much attention is given 

 to soil-making and to the work of water in i^roducing the inequalities of 

 the earth's surface. 



The facts, ideas, and principles gained by observation in nature study 

 not merely prepare for geography, but are expressed by the pupils, and 

 become a basis for language (oral and written), drawing, painting, model- 

 ing, and other forms of expression, and are used as much as possible in the 

 arithmetic work. 



In all grades the observation of nature prepares for and leads to the 

 best literature of nature. Nature study thus becomes one of the centers, 

 the other being history and literature (or "man study"), about which the 

 work of the school is grouped. 



ADAPTING TO THE SEASON. 



The study of life, plant and animal, is emphasized during the seasons, 

 fall and spring, when life most attracts attention. During the late fall 

 and the winter months inorganic or lifeless nature, its materials and forces, 

 are studied. 



An effort has been made to adapt the topics for each month to the 

 season. Such topics as "soil-making," "work of water," "dissemination 

 of seeds," are suggested during two or three months in succession; they 

 can always be studied during one of these months, whatever the character 

 of the season. 



SELECTING MATERIAL AND TOPICS. 



In selecting or suggesting matei'ial or topics for study during the dif- 

 ferent years, the following ideas have governed : 



Those plants and animals have been selected for the earlier years which 

 are most common, most interesting and attractive, most easily preserved 

 and studied alive, and whose life and life history can be most readily ob- 

 served under natural conditions. Later, more attention is given to those 

 which are tj-pical or representative in structure, such as the starfish. 



Those rocks and minerals have been selected for study during the 

 earlier years "which are the most common " earth materials" (such as lime- 

 stone, sandstone, granite), and those processes emphasized which best 

 illustrate "earth-making" (such as soil-making and the work of water). 

 Later, minerals of special economic importance, such as coal and iron, 

 ai'e studied. 



In the physical sciences the same idea has been followed. Physical 

 forces are studied first in their relation to our earth as "earth forces." 

 Water, air, winds, and heat are considered during the first four years. 

 During the later years those topics are considered first which seem most 

 fundamental, such as gravitation and the pressure of liquids. More diffi- 



