Uncle Roberts Geography | Page 4

there in their
migrating flight; to know also the names, the plumage, the habits of all
the birds; and to know the nests and nesting places of those who make
the farm their summer home.
All this study cultivates the child's sense of the beautiful. There is no
better color study in the world than that which springs from
discriminating love of flowers and of the plumage of birds. Such study
creates a kindly feeling toward both animals and plants on the part of
the child. It exercises a strong moral power over him.

CHAPTER X.
--THE THUNDERSHOWER.
A thundershower is always a phenomenon of interest and often of fear
on the part of children. The clouds of the cumulus form, the rolling of
thunder, the lightning flashes, the rushing wind, and the pouring rain
are full of important lessons. Fear vanishes as knowledge comes. In the
thundershower is the question of the distribution of moisture over the
earth's surface, the question of the nature and use of clouds, the
movement of the air and wind, the condensation of vapor, and the
marvelous powers of electricity.

CHAPTER XI.
--THE VILLAGE.
Geography should ever be in the closest touch with the human side.
Nature does a marvelous work, but Nature without society is like a vast
storehouse of treasure without a demand for its use. The one weak point
in farm life is the lack of opportunity for contact with society.

CHAPTER XII.
--A DAY ON THE RIVER.
A river, creek, lake--in fact, any body of water--is a source of perpetual
delight to children. Frank, Donald, and Susie have had the river and
creek before them all their lives. Now, under Uncle Robert's teaching,
the river will mean very much more to them. They take their first
lessons in the work of streams in carving and shaping the earth's
surface. The pebbles on the beach and the large, rounded stones will
soon have stories of the distant past to tell them. The "Big Book" is
opened to them, and they read the stories directly from its pages.

CHAPTER XIII.
--A RAINY DAY.
The children get closer to the question of moisture, its use, and
distribution. The rain gauge helps them to measure the rainfall. Then
comes the problem of where the water goes after it reaches the ground.
"How far down does some of it go?" "When and where does it come
out of the ground?"
Arithmetic is brought in in measuring the rainfall and its distribution.

CHAPTER XIV.
--THE WALK AFTER THE RAIN.
The problems in
Chapter XIII
move toward their solution, and new questions are opened. The gully

tells of the wearing of the water, and foretells a river valley. The spring
helps in the question of underground water. The flowing river quickens
the imagination in the direction of the great ocean.

CHAPTER XV.
--THE BIG BOOK.
This chapter should be read by parents to the children, as many
sentences need expansion and explanation. Hints are given of great
things which lie beyond the child's horizon. Discoveries that have
changed mankind are referred to.
Children's permanent interests are the keynotes of instruction and the
infallible guides of the teacher. To continue and sustain their
spontaneous observation and desire for investigation leads directly to
the study of the best books, and lays the basis for a thorough and
profound study of God's universe.


CHAPTER I.
UNCLE ROBERT'S COMING.
Uncle Robert was coming. His letter, telling when they should expect
him, had been received a week before. Every day since had been full of
talks and plans for his visit, and now the day was come. Everything
was ready.
Frank and Donald had harnessed Nell, the old white horse, to the little
spring wagon, and had driven to the village to meet the train which was
to bring Uncle Robert from New York.
Susie, in her prettiest white apron, ran out of the house every few

minutes, to be the first to see them when they should come along the
road.
Mrs. Leonard was putting finishing touches here and there. She went
into the kitchen to give Jane a last direction about the supper. Then she
went to the east room upstairs, Uncle Robert's room, to be sure that
everything was just as she knew he would like it.
Susie followed her mother, to see if the violets in the glass on his table
were still bright and fresh. She had gathered them herself in the woods
that morning.
"There they come!" she cried. "I hear the wagon crossing the bridge at
the creek!"
She ran quickly downstairs and out upon the piazza. A moment more,
and the wagon turned in at the gate.
"Mother, mother," called Susie, "they're here!"
But Mrs. Leonard was already beside her.