420 NATURE-STUDY 



Fish : Keep aquarium. Goldfish,* minnows,* etc. Feed. 

 Observe the swimming, feeding, breathing. Use of tail. 

 Colors, scales, fins. Fish shape, compare different kinds. 

 Discuss fishes as food, fishing,* primitive man's method. 

 (I. 15. 33. 34> etc., U.) 



Plants. 



General : Outdoors observe the winter aspect * of de- 

 ciduous trees. Try to identify those learned in the fall in 

 foliage. Note the characteristic branching.* (L, 173, etc.) 

 Compare the evergreens * with the last. Note their beauty, 

 shapes, needles,* cones,* resin. Study the cedar, cedar-wood. 

 (L, 173, 220, etc.) 



Discuss winter condition of buds, roots, bulbs,* seeds — 

 "sleeping," protection from the cold by the snow, leaves, 

 etc. Bring in some lilac, plum, willow twigs, and try to wake 

 them up, placing them in water. (K, L.) 



Flax and Cotton : Show in natural form, discuss in simple 

 way the general process of getting the fibre, spinning, weav- 

 ing, dyeing. Examine and distinguish cloth made from 

 these fibres. Other uses of cotton. Stories of where the 

 cotton grows. Show how we depend upon nature for our 

 clothing. (S. T, V, W.) 



Gardening : Window-boxes and potted plants. Prepara- 

 tion of soil. (229, 221, 235.) Wandering Jew, geranium, prim- 

 rose are good for indoor culture, also hyacinths * and tulips,* 

 and daffodils.* Plant seeds of fruits, nuts, pits, and try to 

 raise for later transplanting. Butternut or walnut are good. 

 Early in spring or in late winter start seeds of flowers for 

 planting in the garden, also vegetables. Lettuce, nasturtium, 

 pansy, zinnia, verbena are good for this grade. The children 



