Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-04-15
NUMBER 13.
Essay on the best methods OF Teaching
Geography.
by MISS VIRTUE HOWARD.


by MISS VIRTUE HOWARD.
DR. TRUE-Sir: Finding the School.
room often unfinished with a globe, sew
cral years ago constructed one, on
very simple principle wound ball of
black yarn; made belt midway of white
for the Equator; in the same manner,
crossed off the Tropics and Arctic circles.
| then crossed the Equator at right angles
for meridians. Then, to show the differ
ence in the velocity of the earth, insert
ed a row of pins at the Equator, another
at the Tropics, &c. For an axis, ran
knitting needle through it. and made
few islands of white yarn-some north
and Others south of the Equator.
In connection with the text book, fre-
quently took my little globe, slightly in
clined it, and entered into a familiar CON
yersation with them, and never have fall
ed 10 waken the dullest intellect. could
make il more interesting to young schol.
ars, than even The larger globes. The
novelty of the thing was Of much use to
me, Tor mankind from infancy to old age,
are pleased with novelty.
As il respects the rising and setting Of
the sun. &c, | wish always TO impress it
on the mind, that appearances are tre-
qplRiy dcccHtM; and illustrate it by
the rapidity with which objects seem TO
move from Us, while riding in the cars,
boat &c, while those are stationary, and
are ourselves are moving. continue my
familiar lectures. from time to time, and
find it of the greatest utility. once ask
cd the school to remain perfectly still a
moment, which they did. with almost
breathless silence, and then asking my
scholars, why they could not perceive
motion OF the earth, various reasons we're
assigned, when a little bright-eyed boy
exclaimed, "Il moving through he air,
tie earth has uothjDg 10 hi agaiastE \
very good answer
Geography and history should be in
scparabe companions. After reclting
the lesson. | often employ some one of
the class to take the map pointer ana in
selec ting different places, connect them
with fragments of history; for instance,
the island oi ST. Helena. with Napoleon
Bonapartc,- - Juan Fernandes, with Alex.
andcr Selkirk, &c. Something Of the
novel and marvellous should be connect
cd to render them forcibly presented to
the mind.
Another method | have practiscd, Of
having the pupil, draw on their states or
Black Board. the outlines and some prom-
incnt features Of the earth to make q
map OF your own town. and then attach
the neghboring ones, is Il very fine idea.
Recently have taken even my ALPHABET
class, and having taught them the town,
County and State, drawn them into n
little geography class, by pointing out
and naming The mountains, rivers, islands,
valleys. penin>nlars, &c, AL within their
own views. and when possible, take
little walk with them and render it rs
pleasant as possible by chatting in very
familiar manner 1t has wonderfully
pleased my little charge, AMI has well
paid me for all my toll but have always
tried to render it romantic. As | often
witne,, with regret that many Of my older
pupil, leave the study OF Geography when
they ought not, and having no history in
many schools devised method OF
giving ont one or two questions 70 be
remembered by all OF capable years, To be
reported the next morning. | commenced
with the creation; and from period to
period, bringing it to our own time, until
from time TO time with geography; thus
have what call general class, from
the oldest even 10 the youngest pupil
connected.