Ctnimal 5tu6y. 



AIM. 



Too much emi^hasis cannot be placed on the aim of all nature study, 

 as stated in the introduction. The aim of the animal work is, before all 

 else, to arouse an interest in and cultivate a sympathy for the animals 

 about us, and through this interest and sympathy to develop among the 

 children a higher aj)preciation of what we receive from and owe to the 

 animals. To accomplish this, the study of animals must be, mainly, a 

 study of living animals, of action and adaptation to function, rather than 

 of mere form and structure. 



ORDER OF STUDY. 



1. Relation to natural environment, homes and home life. 



2. Habits, observed in school-room. 



3. Work or function of parts, and adaptation of structure to function. 



4. Life history. 



5. Comparison and classification. 



This order of study is based on the following principles : 



1. That we should begin with that in which children are most inter- 

 ested, and which is most like themselves — life and action. 



2. That at the very beginning we should relate our school work to the 

 out-of-door life of the children. 



3. That we should always approach structure from the higher side — 

 that of function or purpose — and study structure as an adaptation to 

 special work or function. 



4. That the relation to environment and adaptation of structure to 

 function is best understood when we have studied life history, or develop- 

 ment from egg to adult. 



5. That we should broaden the ideas gained by observation, by relating 

 the animals studied, and making the animals seen, types of those not seen. 



Note. — For convenience in discussing the work, the animals studied 

 each year are grouped in their zoological divisions, following the simplest 

 classification: Vertebrates, or back-boned animals; articulates, or animals 

 with jointed bodies; mollusks, or soft-bodied animals; and radiates, ani- 

 mals with parts radially arranged. 



FIRST YEAR. 



Aim. — To interest children in the life and habits of animals. Only liv- 

 ing animals studied. 



