[Sidenote: Nature Study]
A few mornings after the visit of the county superintendent to his
school Mr. Owens said to his pupils:
“In the southwest corner of the room I have placed a table. On this
table we will put a collection of beautiful stones and curios of all
sorts. When visitors come I can tell them that the pupils brought all of
these things for our natural science table. On this you may place
anything suitable which you find on the school ground, on the way to
school, or which you already have on your desks.
“This will make more room for your books and the desks will look much
better besides.
“If any one has anything in his desk which he does not care to put on
our table, he should bring a cloth bag from home with a string attached
to it so that he can tie it to the side of his desk. Or, if he prefers,
he may bring it for the other children to see, then take it home.
“Just back of my desk here, where all of us can see them, I have placed
this small table of vases in which to put all of our flowers.”
Neatness, with its attendant beneficial effect upon discipline, followed
this new arrangement.
(2) _Gambling—Acquiring dishonorably._ Frequently the acquisitive
instinct takes on a less innocent form. Then it becomes the teacher’s
duty, not to suppress the instinct, perhaps, but to see to it that it is
expended in ways that will leave no habits of dishonesty ingrained in
the pupil’s character.