64 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [7 13— Mar., 1911 



to many phenomena which would afford a correlation with work 

 in geography — thus, e. g. spring floods, the condition of the soil, 

 lengthening days, variation in the sun's position, etc. Spring is 

 doubtless the best time for making such a calendar. The in- 

 crease in the number of possible observations as the season 

 waxes allows for a healthy expansion of the children's interest. 



The best way to make calendar work connect with the work 

 of the schoolroom is through seasonal displays of the things 

 •recorded in the calendar in so far as this is feasible. These assist 

 in giving the calendar concrete form, and allow for the ex- 

 change of ideas amongst members of the class. In cities it may 

 easily be possible that the majority of the class get as much ma- 

 terial for a nature calendar by their observations on twigs, flow- 

 ers, etc., indoors as from any outdoor studies. 



From the standpoint of the educational value of nature cal- 

 endars, it will be noted that there is ample opportunity for self- 

 activity, for the stimulation of interest, and for the formation 

 of useful habits. There is also an excellent chance to make use 

 of the good old Jesuit doctrines of rivalry and emulation. 

 Whether the calendar is made in temporary or permanent form, 

 individuals and groups may be put upon their mettle to. equal 

 or outdo the efforts of their rivals. By establishing definite 

 habits of observation it may well be that the pleasure and bene- 

 fits derived from this contact with Mother Nature will continue 

 for many years after formal instruction has ceased. In cities 

 where there is often a dearth of nature materials, these observa- 

 tions often prove to be the saving modicum of first-hand know- 

 ledge, which is so essential to the attainment of the best kind of 

 mature lore. 



During 1910 the New York City Section of the A.N.-S.S. 

 "held three meetings. At one Dr. Hodge spoke ; at another, Miss 

 ■Gallup lectured on the work of the Children's Museum and 

 .showed the members about the Museum. At the last meeting Dr. 

 Bigelow gave a sketch of the progress of nature-study , in Ameri- 

 ca, and told of his observations in the subject in England re- 

 cently. At this meeting, also, progress was reported in the revi- 

 sion of the syllabus in nature-study in New York City, and offi- 

 cers were elected. The membership at that time was eighty-eight, 

 — all of whom are national members. 



