Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1892-08-15
THE SUMMER SCHOOL.

opinion of all, it has been very use
full, pleasant and successful meeting
The scholar teachers have been NOR
than pleased with all the instructors
and have received instruction that i
most valuable in their vocation. Th'
benefit received must be felt in thu
schools of this section of the state. I
is but just to say that the success o
the school is very Largely due to Mr.
Day, chairman of the executive com
mtttee. His untiring efforts are re
warded by results of which he may
feel proud. His assistants in the
management have rendered efficient
service all around. We understand
the receipts will meet expenses with
a fair surplus. We give below, large
ly abbreviated the work of past week
Mr.. Hall gave the following outline
on Geography:
Results in teaching this subject are
not satisfactory because we try to
teach too much, too many DEATHS, un-
important facts. Looked at from
another point of view we do not teach
enough; that is, we do not teach
thoroughly the essential, dominant,
significant facts.
In primary grades teachers should
present every subject effectively.
Let pupils study Geography by study
ing the surface of the earth as the
home of man. Let them begin by
studying a landscape. The following
outline may be used for that purpose.
A Landscape; observe, describe,
draw and mould, using in the language
exercises all terms of place and di-
rection which need to be taught; up,
down, near, far, left, right, north,
south, etc. Teach carefully-Land
level and sloping; the different forms
of slopes hill and valley; the part of
the hills, groups, ranges and systems
of hills and mountains, etc. Teach
the forms Of water-Springs, brooks,
ponds, etc. Teach the parts of each
Source, mouth, banks, valley, basin,
etc.
The principal thing to be taught
in primary grades is a
brook basin, because it is the type Of
one of the most important features of
study-A river basin.
The whole land surface of the earth
may be comprehended under the gen
eral term-River basins. The River
basin represents the most complete
unit of drainage by slopes. The ar
of slopes for the purpose
of drainage determines the life of the
world. All vegetable life depends on
drainage. The purpose of teaching
the landscape in primary grades is to
give the pupils clear and definite men
5al pictures of each elementary feat
lres of surface so that their minds
may be prepared to imagine and con-
,eive the unseen. The moulding board I
should be used in all primary grades I
10 train the children to represent in I
that which they have seen,
hat they may gain power to see in
miniature representation the real .
orm which they have not seen.
The advanced Geography begins
With the study of continent. Teach
irst the continent on which the pupil
ives that he may proceed from the
,nown to the unknown. The follow
ng topics are few and simple, but
complete for the study of CONT
lent.
Structure. Primary and secondary
mountain masses with central de-
'ression between. This is, universally,
he structure of a continent, but the
varies in different CONT
lents. 1t is advisable therefore to
each two or more continents at once
hat we may teach each one by COM
arison.
Outline. Coast, with principal pro-
ections and indentations, boundaries,
TIC.
Drainage. This includes a study of
he principal rivers, their position,
direction, size length,
tc.
Soil and Vegetation. A study of the
of the soil should precede
be detailed study of planet life. The
ubject of climate, also, may be intro
uced at this point. The subject of
Innate should be taught by means of
terrestrial globe, on which the zones
lay be considered as .beltsfof the
arth's surface about 1900 or 5000 miles
Tide.
Progressive maps should be used in
eaching each topic and every impor
ant point in structure, soil, s.vegeta- ,
ion, etc., illustrated by colored maps.
Plants and AnimaI Life. Food plants,
heller plants, etc., animals which /
1rnish food, clothing, etc.