CHAPTER IV 

 STUDYING NATURE IN THE GRADES— HOW AND WHAT 



There is no hard and fast rule for studying nature in 

 the grades. It would be better not to have any set lessons 

 at all, if the formal lessons only tired the children and de- 

 stroyed their interest. This does not mean that a formal 

 lesson in nature-study may not be highly interesting and 

 inspiring in the hands of an able and enthusiastic teacher. 

 It can, and more lasting results in the way of definite knowl- 

 edge and training in thinking can be given by such formal 

 lessons than by the informal. 



A teacher of nature-study should ever be observant of 

 nature, and should call the attention of the children to such 

 things as they are prepared to grasp. If a teacher sees the 

 first robin in spring, let her speak of it in school and ask 

 the children to be on the watch. If she finds an interesting 

 flower, a stone, or insect, let her show it to the pupils and 

 tell them about it. This can often be done at recess or before 

 or after school, or a few moments may be taken daily or occa- 

 sionally in the general period for such informal observations of 

 natture. In this way call attention to the changing pictures 

 of the seasons, the return of the birds, the spring flowers, the 

 brook, the insect hfe, the rain and the snow flake, the eclipse, 

 the stars, etc. Name for the children the plants and the animals 

 they see. Let them bring in " specimens " of all kinds and use 



