Buchanan County Bulletin

EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT

WM. ELDEN, Editor.

The book of Nature is said to be ever open. This is especially true during the summer months. Let teachers help their pupils to read a little in this grand old book; or, at least, while they turn to the pictures, help them to some knowledge of the lessons which these serve to illustrate. When the little folks bring in a bouquet of wild flowers. don't fail to show that you appreciate their beauty; lead the child to talk about the plants, and when they ask questions, help them to find out answers for themselves; encourage them to examine the stems, and leaves and blossoms, and help them to see wherein these are alike and wherein they differ.

You may in this way help your pupils to form habits of observation and comparison, which will be of incalculable value to them in the future. If, unfortunately, you have no knowledge of plants yourself, study with the children It is not the hard names which are important. See what you can find out with your own eyes, using, now and then, to aid them, a small microscope; something of the structure and habits of plants, and insects as well.

Any teacher who has the will can find a way to do a large amount of this work in the summer term, without using any of the time which would otherwise be devoted to the regular studies of school, and no one, it seems to me, can fail to find the study full of interest, as it surely will be of profit.