A GRADED COURSE OF NATURE-STUDY 435 



Plants. 



General : Simple study of what the root, stem, leaves, 

 and flowers of a plant are for. Examine typical examples of 

 these organs. Seedhngs * are good for this. Why do we 

 water the plant? Observe delicate root-hairs on the roots 

 of seedhngs grown on a blotter under glass. These are the 

 sucking hairs. Observe the sap. Where does it come from ? 

 Use? Do not try to teach the exact function of the leaves, 

 but show that they are essential to the plant, by cutting off the 

 leaves of a well-developed seedling as they appear. Note 

 how the plant finally dies. The purpose of the flower can be 

 observed by noting the progress * of a flower (sweet pea) to 

 the fruit. Open fruit and find seed. Flower plan,* stamens, 

 and pistils, parts named, and general appearance noted. (K.) 



Simple experimental culture of seedlings to show that 

 plants need water, heat, and hght for growth. Make very 

 simple, observational, informal. (K, 152, 156, 158, etc.) 



Plants can move: Observe a morning-glory climb by 

 twining.* Observe a sweet-pea tendril catching a support. 

 Touch a sensitive plant.* (K, 154, 156.) 



Trees : Review trees formerly learned. Distinguish * 

 hard and soft maple, boxelder, birch, cottonwood (compare 

 with willow). (173, etc.) 



Shrubs: Lilac, snowball, flowering currant, berry shrubs. 

 (185, 189.) 



Observe trees in masses — the orchard,* the grove, the 

 park, the forest.* Name all that you have learned. 



Arbor Day: (See gardening below.) 



Flowers:* Marsh marigold, buttercup, spring beauty, 

 dog tooth, violet, rose, Jack-in-the-pulpit. Associate them 

 with certain situations — marsh, woods, dry hills, etc. 



