Nature Study
a course in the elementary schools designed to give the child some acquaintance with the world of nature, centering attention chiefly on ees, birds, and flowers. A study of nature has been for a considerable time part of the curriculum of elementary schools, but recently the influence of Horace Mann and his emphasis on "object study" has largely changed the methods of instruction. Instead of being taught in the formal class-room method, it is now conducted in such a way that the children come in direct contact with natural animals and objects. For this reason the course is most successfully conducted by schools situated in the country or in suburban districts. Walks are taken by the class in company with the teacher to find the birds and flowers are taken by the class in company with appropriate to the season, and the students are taught first to recognize the varied types of animal and floral life.
Frequently the children have in their possession picture books of the various tics given. A very successful method dents in being the first to discover certain birds when they appear in the spring of the year. As the main obspring of the year. As the main oblight and arouse interest in the natural world, any intensive study of a particular species is out of place. The course is lar species is out of place. The course is logy. One very useful product of nature study properly taught has been the dislogy. One very useful product of nature study properly taught has been the dis- appearance of vandalism among the the destruction of wild flowers and the pestering of wild animal life, considered formerly to be one of the essential earmarks of a boy, have ceased to exist and have given place to an intelligent enjoymarks of a boy, have ceased to exist and have given place to an intelligent enjoyprivate flower gardens are also among the valuable by-products obtained from the study. The subject of elementary geography has been largely influenced by the methods offered in nature study. The student now begins his work by a study by first-hand observation of the trees, rocks, and bodies of water surrounding his home. Maps are drawn of the locality and are tested for accuracy by frerocks, and bodies of water surrounding his home. Maps are drawn of the loering this new type of study are but recent appearances, the older type of book being quite valueless. The most widely cent appearances, the older type of book being quite valueless. The most widely used books are those by Thornton W.
Burgess and the Bird and Flower Guides, written by Chester A. Reed. Another "How to Make Friends with Birds."