Maps by Gottfried

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 20, 1905

Maps

By Gottfried

PERHAPS this is old to some of us; to me it is new, and very successful. Too often we read or hear of some new device, and pass it by because it does not sound successful. Try this one, and you will not be disappointed.

Mimeograph or hectograph an outline of the United States, or Europe, or whatever you are studying. Put in the rivers, but nothing else; no States, countries, or political divisions of any sort. If you are economical, use both sides of the paper. Ordinary foolscap does very well. Now give one to every member of the class, and tell him to draw in the States, having his book open before him. The rivers will be of considerable assistance to him in this, and he will be encouraged to find what a presentable map he can make.

These can now be used in any number of ways. Have him close the book, and write in the names of the States from memory. Areas may be shaded to show population, wheat area, coal area, cotton, sugar, stock, and so on. Rainfall may also be shown. Cities may be located, also mountains, lakes, railroads. Capes and bays may be named; in fact, the exercises are endless. When one map is entirely filled, turn over and fill the other. Then give out a fresh set, and work on something else. The labor of hectographing takes half an hour, and there the work for the teacher ends.

By working in this way, the children learn more than from all the traced maps they could make, and they enjoy it too.—Gottfried.