29] Graphic Methods in Teaching. 221 



experience, proved of great value as subjects for graphic 

 records. The rainfall is also useful, and the rise and fall 

 of the tide, the height of water in wells, cisterns, ponds and 

 rivers, afford unending subjects for scientific observation. 

 The thing to do is to take some one thing that varies from 

 time to time and to urge the child to observe and record 

 such facts on diagrams made by himself at a fixed hour 

 every day for a fixed length of time. A week is little 

 enough and a month is better. The cheaper and more 

 simple the apparatus the better, and for this reason the 

 thermometer is preferred to the barometer. 



In all such records it is best to record two series of 

 facts, as the temperature and clouds, at the same time, for 

 the reason that the work becomes comparative as well as 

 descriptive. The following subjects for observation will 

 serve as hints for the teacher. Observe and record the 

 temperature and rainfall, using a tomato can, free from dents 

 and with the cover neatly cut off, for a rain gauge. Observe 

 the temperature out of doors and in the house (in winter) 

 and record in different colored inks on one diagram. This 

 record will be instructive in more ways than one and in a 

 school may serve as a moral restraint on the enthusiasm 

 of the janitor. Record on one diagram temperatures at 

 different hours. Record the temperature or the amount 

 of clouds and the height of water in a well, cistern, pond 

 or stream. Observe and record the phases of the moon 

 and record on diagrams the highest point of the tide. 

 Record temperatures on the ground, one thermometer 

 being laid on bare ground and another in the grass. 

 Record temperatures on the ground and at intervals of 6, 

 12 and 24 inches above the ground. Observe and record 

 once a week the outside temperature at noon and the 

 temperature of the water in a well, keeping the record for 

 six months. These and many more of like nature can be 

 done by any child of ten, and in either town or country. 



Plant life affords a wide field for observation. Plant 



