228 METHODS IN TEACHING 



to look for them at night. They should know, of course, 

 whereabouts in the heavens to look for a given constella- 

 tion at a certain hour. 



The apparent motion of the sun may be shown by mark- 

 ing the position of shadows or spots of sunlight in the 

 schoolroom at different times during the year. The shadow 

 should be marked at about the same time, about twelve 

 o'clock, every day that it is observed. If sunlight does not 

 enter the room at that time, the class may be taken into the 

 yard, and the shadow of any stationary object, as a post or 

 a part of the building itself, may be used for the purpose. 

 The length of the shadow should be noted, especially at or 

 near the beginning of the different seasons. 



Permanently fasten the barometer described elsewhere to 

 a board, and tack beside it a yard stick, so that variations 

 in the height of the column of mercury can 

 Studies ke seen easily. Note the height of the 



column in clear, cool weather, and use this 

 as a standard for future observations. Call attention to 

 any changes, until pupils form the habit of making use of 

 the barometer in the study of climatic conditions. Dry, 

 dense air is heavier than moist, expanded air. Therefore 

 low barometer indicates storm conditions, and high barom- 

 eter indicates fair weather. Study other local weather 

 changes, the direction of winds and clouds when storms are 

 approaching, and their direction in clearing weather which 

 follows the storm. Local weather signs, if they are at all 

 reliable, should be noted and discussed with a view to their 

 better understanding. Daily weather records become verj 

 monotonous and are not to be recommended; but observj 



