NEW ZEALAND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21994, 1 July 1933, Page 17

NEW ZEALAND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE

DUNEDIN SUB-BRANCH. At a meeting of the Dunedin sub-branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute on Thursday evening Mr J, M‘K. Miller, headmaster of the North-East Valley School, gave a very useful talk on “The Teaching of Nature Study.” Mr Miller outlined first a year’s scheme of work for the Infant Department, taking plant life ns the chief topic. • An analogy was cleverly drawn between the flower and the child’s home, with mother, father, and the babies., : . After explaining the manner in which the studies were pursued in this way, Mr Miller said the lessons could be made more 'elaborate and technical, in the standards, but they formed a sound basis for the child’s nature knowledge and one in whiclr his interest and enthusiasm for the subject were, easily aroused and maintained because of the close correlation with life in his own home. Further lessons could be added in the standards on grasses, cereals, sheep, and cattle, the niain classes of which could be easily identified by the older pupils. In connection with the school garden, the worm, the snail, the slug, and the earwig could all be studied at first hand. For instance, one school had discovered by experiment with' worm casts that 55 tons of soil were turned over by a worm in a yeari Lessons'on leaves (ribs, edges, veins, pores) were interesting to (he pupils at all stages. By experiment they could find how much water was transpired by the loaves; and the results could be amazing. Bird life was a popular topic, the sparrow. thrush, and blackbird always being available for observation. Often a child whose academic work was poor would be the “star” pupil when it came to knowledge of the habits of birds. Nor was it necessary for nests or eggs to bo stolen lo provide material for the lessons. Finally, Mr Miller >put in a pica for the agricultural shows, and especially for support of the Boys’ and Girls' (Hub work. Wonderful practical work bad been done in teaching children the rearing of animals and the growing of crops and vegetables. Mr Miller answered several questions on the subject of Nature study teaching, and,, on the motion of Mr W. Abel, was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks.