152 NATURE STUDY LESSONS FOR PRIMARY GRADES 



closely in a little, round, three-roomed house. What 

 other shape would have packed so well ? 



IV 

 THE COMMON BLUE VIOLET 



At the beginning of the spring term, or at the 

 close of the winter term, the children are asked to 

 look for violets and see who will be first to find one. 



As soon as violets become plentiful the children 

 are asked to notice carefully what kind of home they 

 live in. Is it moist ground or dry? Is it in the 

 shade or in the sun? In the woods or out? In 

 company with what other flowers? 



Did any of you know exactly where to go to look 

 for violets this year? How did you know? (They 

 grew there last year.) Did they grow all winter? 

 When the snow was off the ground could you see 

 them? (No, the frost killed the leaves in the fall.) 

 Did it kill all of the plant? (No, the root lived 

 through the winter.) How was it protected from 

 the cold? (It was covered with soil; above that 

 were dead leaves, and over all the snow.) Is 

 snow warm ? How could it keep the violets warm ? 

 (It shut out the cold air and kept in the warmth.) 



