Type studies from the geography of the United States. 1st series

Front matter

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Preface

The series of twenty-five type studies included in tliis volume is designed to illustrate in some detail the second stage of geography study. The previous volume of "• Excursions and Lessons in Home Geography " contains the introductory lessons in geography for third and fourth grades. It is the geography of the home and neigliborhood.

The present volume is a series of simple type studies on the United States, designed to introduce children to the geography of our own country. It is assumed that the chief stress in early years (fourth, fifth, and sixth grades) should be laid upon American geography, though other countries are not neglected. Where a standard geography is used, these type studies may be run parallel with the regular lessons to enrich special and important topics.

The full oral treatment of tliese topics in the latter part of the fourth grade and in the fifth grade is probably the best method of handling them wherever this is possible.

The value of tlie type in its rich descriptive content and as a striking representative of many similar objects is abundantly illustrated in these lessons.

The organization of a large body of interesting and instructive geographical facts about such a centre of study exemplifies one of the chief points in method.

Vi PREFACE

Nearly all the lessons included in this volume have been repeatedly worked out with classes of children in fourth and fifth grades.

The " Special Method in Geography," published by The Macmillan Company, works out the full course of study in geography in all the grades and discusses at length the method of treating these types. The present volume is the execution in its details of the second step in the general plan laid out in the '^ Special Method." In the further execution of this plan, the author contemplates another series of type studies of North America, which will deal with the more complex and difficult topics of our own continent. This will include the more comprehensive physiographic topics, the larger manufacturing and commercial subjects, and some of the large cities as centres of population and trade.

Contents

The Hudson River

\/ The Hoosac Tunnel . « . .

Cod-fisheries ......