1 84 NATURE STUDY 



The whole amount of work required in each grade consists of all the 

 subjects falling under the head of Prescribed, and a given number of 

 those under the head of Elective. 



The subjects placed under the head of Prescribed are not chosen be- 

 cause they are thoufrht to be the more important ones. They represent 

 those which the experience of the past two years of a free selection on the 

 part of the teachers from a fairly extensive list shows are more usually 

 chosen by the teachers. They are those with which the greater majority 

 have been successful. Future experience on the part of teachers would, 

 no doubt, very much modify this list. Indeed, it would be inadvisable 

 to retain this list long unchanged, on account of a certain formality which 

 might soon become attached to it. 



The subjects placed under the head of Elective allow a range of 

 choice on the part of the teachers, which permits the taking advantage 

 of preferences on the part of teachers and pupils, and of favorable occa- 

 sions and conditions. This list could be indefinitely extended with profit. 

 It is here simply limited to subjects which have already been used in the 

 schools, and for which material can be readily obtained. 



To avoid too much repetition of work in different grades, it is advis- 

 able to confine selections to the list as provided, unless subjects are taken 

 which are not in the whole course. Teachers should be encouraged to 

 introduce, as time and opportunity may permit, as many lessons as possi- 

 ble on subjects not specifically given in this course, and to make note of 

 their experience and report their success. The subjects outlined need 

 not be taken in their order, but selected according to season, or as class 

 needs dictate. 



First Grade. 

 Pkesckibed. 

 Seeds. Dispersal. Most common forms as in lesson on Dandelion. Ar- 

 rangement in seed-case. Apparatus for dispersal. Collection of 

 seeds to show method of dispersal. 

 Germination and growth in several forms of seeds. Conditions neces- 

 sary for germination and growth. How the plant breaks out of 

 the seed; how it gets out of the ground. Growth of roots; of 

 leaves, — the one seeking food from earth, the others from air. 

 Growth of roots from cuttings, — air-roots. 

 All the phenomena of plant life easily understood by the children of 

 this grade. 



