50 TEACHING SCIENCE IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

from a road out in North Carolina has an experience to ex-
change with the child who was at the seashore. Fourth, he keeps
abreast of many current happenings, in that the special interests
found in the home background of each member of the class are
made available to all through the information brought into dis-
cussions. Fifth, in the give and take of discussion the child
acquires respect for a point of view different from his own. He
learns the value of proving his point rather than arguing it.
 The classroom surroundings should offer many points that
stimulate discussion. Growing plants, an aquarium or vivarium,
bulletin boards, attractive displays of books, and children's con-
tributions should all serve as starting points for good discussion.
Barren, empty rooms do not invite or prompt worthwhile dis-
cussion.
 Discussion, however, has limitations. Care should be taken
to see that discussion in itself is not considered adequate ex-

 Experiments and group discussion encourage pupil participation and
 interest in science.