908 Seience-Teaching in the Schools. 
In the lowest grades, the teacher should studiously avoid the 
use of technical terms, whose meaning is unknown to children. 
The chief object here is, not to teach science, but to train to close 
and accurate observation, and to stimulate a keen interest in nature. 
In no grade should special emphasis be laid upon technical terms 
and classifications, though somewhat more attention may properly 
be given to them in the Grammar grades. All classifications 
should, so far as possible, be the result of observation and compar- 
ison on the part of the pupils. Let the teacher stimulate, direct, 
and name. Happy the teacher and fortunate the pupils, if, in this 
delightful work, the teacher judiciously combines speech and silence. 
An occasional talk, however, by the teacher on the subject before 
the class is both proper and desirable. Such talks should furnish 
information beyond the reach of the pupils’ observation. 
Every lesson should be carefully prepared. Aimless and irrele- 
vant conversations are profitless. Allow and encourage the freest 
expression of what the pupils see. Encourage the pupils to collect 
and bring in specimens. Elicit, by judicious questions, a description 
of what they have brought. Give them additional information. If 
necessary, postpone the subject till the next day, and learn something 
about it. 
GRADE I. 
Physiology.—Regions of the body—head, trunk, limbs. Details 
of external parts. Uses of external organs. Hygiene of the skin 
—bathing. 
Zoology.—Lessons on common mammals—e.g., cat, dog, horse, 
cow, rat, squirrel. Let the pupils observe, compare, and describe 
these animals, as regards their external aspect and habits. Com- 
pare these animals with ourselves. Tell stories illustrative of habits 
of these and other mammals. a 
Botany.—Lessons on common plants. Teach pupils to distin- 
guish root, stem, leaf. Compare leaves of different plants, aS- 
regards general form, margin, venation. Require pupils to draw 
and describe leaves of many plants. 
GRADE II. 
Physiology.—The framework of the body. Bones, joints, mus- 
cles. Exhibit anatomical diagrams. Teach the pupils to find in 
their own bodies some of the bones which can be easily felt through 
