.V)


 FOREWORD
 The Florida Program for Improvement of Schools is based
upon the principle that improvement of instruction is a continu-
ous process and that it should be carried on through the demo-
cratic participation of all concerned. Such a program includes
the continuous preparation of materials for use as curriculum
guides. The plan for the continuing production of instructional
bulletins is a unified one. Ways to Better Instruction in Flor-
ida Schools, Bulletin Number 2, which was developed in 1939,
is the basic bulletin in the present series. It is intended pri-
marily for faculty study groups who wish to clarify their think-
ing regarding the role of the school in a democratic society and
plan a school program designed to meet the needs of the pupils
and community. Two other basic bulletins appeared in 1940,
Number 9, A Guide to Improved Practice in Florida Elementary
Schools, and Number 10, A Guide to a Functional Program in
the Secondary School. These bulletins attempted at their res-
pective levels to interpret and apply the principles set forth in
the previous bulletin and to form a base for proper interpreta-
tion and use of subsequent bulletins relating to subject areas.
 Following these basic bulletins the preparation of more
specific materials was undertaken. These latter constitute
guides in the areas treated for planning and adapting local
courses of study according to community needs.
 Like all the other bulletins this one has been prepared by
a committee of teachers working with the State Department of
Education and consultants from institutions of higher learning.
Grateful acknowledgment is made to the members of the com-
mittee who worked during the first summer term of 1947 at
Florida State University: Louise Barton, St. Cloud; Mrs. Hilda
Harnley, Oneco; Sara Lynn Johnson, Blountstown; Evelyn
Moore, Panama City; Marie H. Parrish, Florala, Alabama; Ivyl
F. Pirtle, Jensen Beach; Ennie Mae Stewart, Buies Creek,
North Carolina; Ida Mae Stripling, Tallahassee; Altha Tichenor,
Orlando; and Ava Weaver, Boynton Beach.
 Deep appreciation is extended to Mr. J. B. Kelley, Assistant
Professor of Chemistry, Florida State University, who served
as consultant; to Mr. Glenn O. Blough, Specialist in Elementary
Science, U. S. Office of Education; and Miss Dorothy Wheatley,
Supervisor of Elementary Science, East Orange, New Jersey,
who served as part-time consultants; and to Dr. W. T. Edwards,
Professor of Education, Florida State University, who assisted
in the pre-planning work, and in revising the manuscript. Ac-
knowledgment and thanks are extended to the schools in Dade,
Duval, Martin, and Palm Beach counties who contributed the iic-
turps found within this bulletin. Appreciation is also extended to
Miss Mildred Swearingen who directed the work of the commit-