Methods in Primary Schools

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 4, 1908

Methods in Primary Schools

Sand Modeling

Of all the devices used in aiding the imagination to picture remote geographical forms, sand modeling is the most serviceable. By its aid forms of contour and relief can be shown as readily as by the raised maps, and they can be altered easily. The pupils can be made to see the continent, island, or peninsula growing under the hands of the teacher. This will be more likely to inspire them to put forth effort than will the looking at a map which is unalterably fashioned, when it is brought before them. By seeing things made children will learn to make them more readily than they will by hearing how they are made, as they will be more interested. Here the various forms are fashioned gradually as they were in nature, and the nearer nature we can keep the device, the better. This is why the molded form suggests the real land or water more readily than does the map.

The sand is also very helpful in enabling the children to understand how the surface of the earth has been changed, and is constantly being changed, by the action of the air, frost, the water, etc. This can not be shown by the aid of maps, yet the learners’ attention should be called to it, so they may be led to observe the work of the great artists who are constantly carving and chiseling, wearing down the sharp ridges, and filling up the unsightly hollows that mar the appearance of our earth-home.

Another advantage that sand modeling has, is that it can be used in all the grades from the primary to the high school. It is especially valuable in teaching physical geography; but as that is the basis and most important part of all

geography, it is reasonable to suppose that it is taught throughout the entire course.

Objections are sometimes made to sand modeling because of the exaggeration necessary, and because of the danger that the children will use the forms shown in the sand as the standards with which to measure like forms in nature. What has been said in defense of raised maps will apply here equally as well. It is safe to say that no evil will result from the use of the same or raised maps if the teacher exercises due care.—Selected.