The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-12-27
HOW TO TEACH GEOGRAPHY.
Prof. e. BENJAMIN Andrews AdvO
Gates Some Changes in Method.

Prof. e. BENJAMIN Andrews AdvO-
Gates Some Changes in Method.
Prof e. Benjamin Andrews, superin-
tendent of the public schools Of Chicago,
addressed the members Of the Minnesota
Educational association at the Central
Presbyterian church last night on "Re-
form in the Teaching of Geography in the
Public Schools" The speaker plunged at
once into his subject by advocating dis
continuance Of the use of fiat maps in ele-
mentary instruction ana the substitution
of globes. Maps, the speaker said, give
the pupil false idea Of the form of the
earth's surface. All maps used should be
drawn on the same SCALE in order that
the pupil should not form an erroneous
idea of the area of any Of the political
divisions of a continent
Prof. Andrews then spoke of various de-
vices, mentioning some he had inspected,
which in his estimation were of ines
Unable value in the primary instruction
Of geography. He spoke of the use of
a huge mound of ordinary sand and a
water hose, with which a generally cor
rect idea of the physical features of the
earth's surface could be conveyed, as we'll
as that Of the water surface He also
approved Of the use of papier mache re-
lief maps, but not to the same extent as
in the schools of European nations.
Pursuing the subject further the speak
er said that a more logical method of in
struction in the study of geography was
demanded. Vast amounts of the material
now placed In the common school geog-
raphies are not properly cIassed, and the
material that is properly cIassed, and to
be considered as legitimate geography
study, Is not arranged cOnsecutively or in
proper order. In laying out what he con-
ceived to be a proper course Of geographi-
cal study for the common schools. Prof.
Andrews said he would begin with the
teaching of a few pertinent astronomical
and geological facts as applied to the
earth, the solar system and other planets.
Then the study of the water and land sur
faces Of the earth should be taken UP, and
the pupil taught dimensions and extent.
In the inland the location and size of
large rivers, lakes and mountain chains
should be taught, and the pupil instruct
ed as to the points where tide and shoaI
water ends in rivers tributary to tide
water, this instruction giving the pupil
proper conception of the commercial
Importance of any particular body of
water. In teaching of the oceans and
depths, the prevalent tides, the currents
prevalent storms and winds and the CAL
oric Of the water and surrounding atmos-
phere should be looked upon as the fore
most subjects for instruction.
Prof Andrews opposed the practice OF
COnIOunOlnS pOulICdl anu common RGOS-
| raphy, and suggested the plan Of Civ
| ing the pupil ideas OF country by ex-
! biting outline charts without the lines OF
| the various political divisions and in.
structing as to the location Of extensive
| basins, productive valleys, sections of ter
ritory having great mineral wealth.
Concluding, the speaker suggested the
use Of an appendix for regular geographi-
| cal Instruction., in which the population
| aDd cha tpristipa 0f fha peaO1o Of a a
ton might be dealt. witn particularly and
at length. This appendix, he said, should
by all means include instruction concern.
! ing the location and commercial value tC
/ the country of the great systems of rail.
ways and the transcontinental and trans.
oceanic routes Of traffic. This appendix
should also include the political features
now taught in the common school geog-
raphies. The great point to be held In
constant view, said the professor is the
| training Of the pupils logical sense. About
| 500 persons were In attendance.