SUGGESTIONS FOR RURAL SCHOOLS 161 



facts, but to arouse the interest of the children in natural 

 objects, and to train them in accurate and independent 

 observation that they may appreciate and enjoy the world 

 of living objects with which they are surrounded. 



Work in certain subjects, such as trees, birds, wild 

 flowers, and weather, may well begin at the first of the fall 

 term and be carried on throughout the school year. Re- 

 ports may be called for each week or fortnightly. 



To illustrate: The teacher may state some morning, 

 when it happens to be true, "I saw a robin (or a meadow 

 lark, or a blackbird) this morning. I wonder if there are 

 many birds here now ? Let us see what ones we can find 

 this week, where they are, and what they are doing." Ask 

 questions occasionally to keep the interest alive. When 

 the time for reports arrives let the children have ten or 

 fifteen minutes in which to talk about birds. The interest 

 is almost certain to be enthusiastic. In fact, a check on 

 excitement is sometimes desirable. A chart on which are 

 entered the names of birds seen each week by the children 

 is desirable. 



