The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-09-10

4. Climate. - 4
8. Soil, Vegetation, Animals, Min
g. Inhabitants - Population and
Distribution.
I. Observation-Disclosures, Monn-
fdctGre, Commerce. .Ss.tt &f-lf
IS. Cities and Towns. a-a---s-s
9. Government, Religion, History
IF thought best, extend this to in
clude such particulars as may be
deemed of too great importance to be
omitted. Furnish each pupil with
neatly written copy Of these topics,
textbooks. Inform them that these
particulars, as 4 numbered, are so
many questions, the answers to which
they may find any where
in, their books or out of them
by reading or by conversation
and that they need not use the ques-
tious In their books in preparing a
lesson. Teach them how to study BY
topics-and require an entire topic to
be recited by each scholar, unless, its
length should warrant subdivision.
Prepare yourself to give some addi-
rlonai new matter each recitation
taking especial pains TO select impor-.
ia ut as well as interesting informa-
uon-and be sure that you can give
1t IN an attractive manner, and arrange
its facts In logical. order. In
other, words, thoroughly master the
lesson yourself before attempting to
teach it. 3Ne'l >ll-Ialsf 80 -
We will suppose, as is probably the
case, that your textbooks do not con
tain those general views. or outlines
which uuderlie all true geographical
knowledge. That deficiency must. be
supplied by yourselt-and it can be
best done in connection with map
drawing. - i
A good teacher of geography should |
be able to draw, from memory, an ac-
curate map Of all the continents, at
least. The first thing to be done is
to define, accurately, the ceast-line, or
The system recommended
by Guyot enables one to do this easily
and with great accuracy. Suppose the
lesson of to-day is the continent of
North America. Draw the lines repre-
sehtlBg Its approximate form on the
black board-explaining how it is
done, and the proportionate distances
Require your pupils to
repeat your lines and measurements
On their states, or on half sheets of |
foolscap. The coast-Iine being accu- |
rately drawn---a thing easily dore by
the assistance OF the approximate
5orm lines-proceed to fill in this out
inc. First, locate the mountain
ranges or systems, showing how they
orm so many great watersheds. |
Next, determine where watersheds |
exist, not connected with mountain
.anges, and draw all the large and |
important rivers. You need have no |
ears that your pupils will ever tire
If. this work. With a little encour-
cement or assistance on your part,
hey will soon be able to draw these
maps as rapidly and accu-
ately as you cam - -
Proceed now to represent the ele- |
1atior of the land above the sea-
evel. This is done by profles drawn
through the continent. One pro-
lie is sufficient for North. America
hat on the latitude of Washington.
Draw this on the black board-ex-
lain how it indicates comparative ele-
Iation-describe the effect elevation
las upon climate, and consequently,
pom the organic life of country
nd the influence mountains have
pom the amount and distribution Of
ain.
You are prepared to describe
be division of the surface of
be continent into the Atlantic
the Pacific Highlands and
he Great Central Plain-as we'll as
he three fold subdivision of'the Great
CENTRAL Plain into the Mississippi
ALLEY, the ST. Lawrence Valley and
hatu portion of the earth2s surface
hose waters drain off into Hudson 'sd
'ay.l This being doEe, CALI attention
D the peculiar features of each diEf-if
ION and subdfvision=requfring your
raj instruction Jo1 be Tlearned as
thoroughly as any other lesson.
Now locate the large cities and
owns-neVer forgetting to tell 9sehy1
hey are located where they are, by :
alling attention to- the Influence of
hysical features upon the productions
country, of the productions upon
ommerce. OF commerce on the Local.
on of great commercial emporiums.
This general view of the continent
! invaluable All subsequent study I
individual portions will be render
q much palmer should it be thorough
!, mastered. Nc one but a lice teach
. need attempt to give it, however =
II itrequires steady hand and quick
re to draw easily-and sleepy drone
i'll be sure to fail in giving oral in
ruction upon subject so vast as the
lrface features and phenomena of an
ltire continent s. a. {