2516
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 82

their interest and develop their intelligence by presenting to them
graphic pictures of life as it exists elsewhere, and to create some
very elementary notions of the general conditions of human inter-
course and the dependence of various forms of industry on physical
surroundings. At the same time, the opportunity should be taken
to direct special attention to the countries and peoples of the British
Empire, which may be treated on a somewhat different plan, with
a view to give the pupils an intelligent appreciation of the Empire
to which they belong, and to foster a spirit of Imperial unity.

Standard II.

(a.) Observation of natural objects, e.g., the most common
birds, plants, and insects near the school.

(b.) Elementary geographical notions taught as far as possible
from actual observation, e.g., nature of hills, plains, rivers, also
lakes, bays, straits, islands, peninsulas, if any of these are found
in the neighbourhood of the school; the position of the sun at noon
and at other times of the day; the position and length of the shadow
cast by a post in the playground; the rough determination of the
north and south line and of the east and west points; the position of
the school and of objects visible from the playground with reference
to the cardinal points; direction of the wind on different days, and
whether a given wind brings rain or not, or is hot or cold; the
snow upon the mountains.

Models of damp sand or clay should be made by the teacher in
the playground, or on a large wooden tray or a blackboard placed
on the floor, to illustrate the geographical features seen within a
short distance of the school, and the children should make smaller
models of sand or clay or plasticine.

Children should be taught to make simple plans of objects such
as bricks, slates, &c., then of the schoolroom, the playground, &c.,
and a plan or simple map be drawn on the blackboard to illustrate
the principal geographical features of the neighbourhood.

NATURE-STUDY (EXTENDED).

Standard III.

(1.) (a.) Observation of natural objects as for Standard II con-
tinued; also, in cases where elementary agriculture is taken,
observations connected therewith.

(b.) Elementary geographical notions taught in Standard II to
be extended as far as possible by actual observation; more exact
position of the north and south lines; the directions of N.E., S.W.,
N.W., S.E.; the compass; the phases of the moon; the number of
days from new moon to new moon, from full moon to full moon, and
from full moon to new moon; in cases where children live near the
sea they should know the time of high and low tide, and the intervals
between them; chief forms of clouds.

The plans made in Standard II should be extended to include the
surrounding district, and record with more precision the result of
the children’s observations. The explanation of a local map of
wider area with the conventional map signs will naturally follow,
and a further extension of work in this connection to include an
introduction to the map of New Zealand will provide another step,
the positions of (say) twelve places in other parts of the Dominion
being thus made known in relation to the district in which the
school is situated.

(2.) Conversations and, if convenient, readings, illustrated as
far as possible by pictures, maps, and blackboard sketches, pre-
senting graphically the most interesting features of the provincial
district in which the school is situated, and designed to give the
children under pleasant conditions a clear conception of the
general character of the surface features of any important centres
of population, their situation and general direction, and the means
of communication with them, of any prominent characteristics in
respect of plants, birds, and minerals, and generally of the life
and occupation of the people within the area dealt with. Pictures
should also be shown of any places outside the limits of the pro-
vincial district to which the attention of the children is directed,
and an association in each case established with some interesting
fact.

Standard IV.

(1.) (a.) Observation of common objects; animal and plant life
(in connection with school gardens); weather-study.