Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1910-06-30
SUNG THEIR LESSONS
Geography Set to Music an Old
Time Teaching Scheme.
A PLAN OF YANKEE ORIGIN.


List Used to Interest the Pupils In
Their Studies Was "AuId Lang
syns"-"Bonny Doom" Also Liked.
Singing geography was a popular
fad in the educational line In New
York in olden days. particularly In up
state school districts. 1t was of Yam
kee origin. 1t was never made part Of
the common school system of the state
but was taught outside the regular
hours.
set of wall maps known as Pei
toms outline maps was used. There
were no names Of geographical div-
sions or places on them. The instruc-
tor would go over the map on which
the lesson was found. pointing out
with pointing rod the different coun-
tries. cities. rivers. lakes or whatever
might be the subject in hand. and AT
the same time the name of each di-
vision. place or body Of water would
be mentioned In song. The teacher.
usually man. would lead the class
chorus as he pointed. and il the sub
ject happened to be political divisions
the song would run like this. to the
tune of "Bonny Doom"
Let North America be first
In our descriptive rhyme rehearsed.
Its northern bound the arctic waves.
Its east the Atlantic ocean laves.
The gulf of Mexico we see
Upon its southern boundary.
Its western and southwestern sides
Are washed by the Pacific tides.
The geographical verses were con-
tanned in the pupils text book called
1.-THE Key to Pelton's New and I'm
proved Series Of Outline Maps"
Among other things the following is
found In the preface of one Of these
old time volumes:
with respect to the versification. 1t
Is merely necessary to say that the de-
sign has been to put all the important
geographical localities on the globe. In
connection with much valuable matter.
In a form which can be most easily
committed to memory. and It is conf
IDENTIFY believed that the exhilarating
effect Of harmonious sounds will great
" facilitate the acquisition of this
knowledge. and care has been taken
that none but popular and approved
airs be inserted In the work."
Aud Lang Syne" appears to have
been regarded as an especially pop
ular and approved" air and was often
used. In the very first lesson the pu-
pills were taught to describe the earth
by singing the following to this tune:
The earth is large ball or globe
Whose surface has been found
Three-fourths with ocean waves sub
merged
And but one-fourth dry ground.
Two hundred millions OF square miles
Earths surface does embrace.
Eight hundred million people here
All find dwelling place
Tongue twisting names did not en-
barrass the geographical versifier. al
though the enunciation Of all the pu-
pills probably was not perfect when
for example. In the lesson on Asia
they sang to the air of "Bruce's Ad-
dress" such lines as these:
~ Now in modulations sweet
Asia's rivers we repeat O.
Obi first In Russia greet. ri,
~ Irish river next.
- Lost in sand behold Helmund,
Then northward seek Yarkund;
Be not turbid Oxus shunned;
Sihon river see.
=,
Ural river next in place,
Nv Attruck and koor river trace:
KILL irmak then embrace
In our melody.
There were thirty-one states In the
Union when singing geography was in
vogue. and the pupils were taught to
bound each of them in verse Cali
fornia WAS then the newest state. hav-