Hints for Teaching Geography by M. Armilda Bogar

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 6, 1908

Hints for Teaching Geography

By M. Armilda Bogar

I HAVE found the following suggestions helpful in making the study of geography interesting and instructive to my pupils:—

Saturate the end of a crayon with mucilage, and the lines made will be permanent so far as erasure by an ordinary eraser is concerned, but they can be removed by means of a damp sponge or cloth. In map drawing a permanent outline can thus be made, and used as long as it is needed, the pupils filling in the details, which can afterward be erased, leaving the outline ready for use each day. Colored crayons may be used to good advantage for maps. They are attractive when artistically used.

To teach the relief of a country or continent, have them make relief-maps in the following manner: (1) Draw the outline of country or continent (as perfectly as possible) on rough drawing-paper,—even rough tablet paper will do,—then cut out; (2) make a pulp of newspapers (the less print on them the better) by putting the paper in a basin and pouring hot water over it, taking care not to get it too wet, then picking the paper to pieces (a wire potato masher is handy to use for this purpose). After (not before) it has been converted into a pulp, sufficient salt should be added to make it taste salty; (3) place the maps on a slate, and begin by putting the pulp on the outside first, working toward the center. Let the pupils look on their relief-maps of the country and work according to that. Make the map quite thick, as it settles in drying. It should be left in a warm place to dry; when dry, mount it on black mounting board. These maps make pretty school-room ornaments. Care should be taken that the pupils learn the names of the mountains and rivers, the products of the country, etc., while making their maps.

Have pupils draw a map of the continent, country, or State that they are studying, and with glue attach the different products in the portion of the country in which they are raised, putting a grain of wheat where wheat grows, a piece of ore where it is mined, etc.

They may also draw a map indicating where the different races are located, by giving the proper coloring. They may make a map showing the regions occupied by different religions in the same way, placing a red star for the missions. Maps may be shaded to indicate rainfall, population, etc. Never accept anything but the best work the pupil can do.

With each country be sure to teach the history of our work there, locating the missions and learning the names of the missionaries in each, together with the religion and customs of the people

they are working for. This may be fixed in the pupils' minds by requiring them to write an essay on the country or State, including (1) location; (2) boundaries; (3) comparative size and importance; (4) principal cities; (5) surface and drainage; (6) places of interest to visit; (7) its people; (8) industries; (9) products; (10) history, including the work of the third angel's message.

From railroad ticket offices may be obtained folders and booklets containing pictures of many interesting places. From the REVIEW, Instructor, and other papers, interesting pictures and accounts may also be obtained. These may be cut out and mounted upon the pages of their essay, at the side or bottom of the paragraphs. This will not only add to the pupil's interest, but will cultivate the habit of neatness and good taste.

Booklets may be made of these essays by tying together with bits of pretty ribbon the large sheets of paper upon which they have written. A map of the country may be drawn on the first-cover page.

M. ARMILDA BOGAR.