to demonstrate the quickest possible
methods of finding what a book contains. The use of the catalogue and
card index should be carefully explained and illustrated.

Attention should be called to the best sources on the various phases of
the history to be studied. There ought to be no poor histories in the
library, but if there are any to which the students have access, warning
should be given against their use.

The value of periodicals and current literature for work in history
should be illustrated and the use of _Poole's Index_ and the _Readers
Guide_ explained.

The class should be acquainted with the rules of the library and
cautioned against the misuse of books. The necessity of leaving
reference books where all the class can use them should be made
apparent.

Direction in the use of the library, like instruction in the method of
study, is a prerequisite to the best results in high school history
classes, for no matter how conscientious the teacher, the recitation
will be deadly if the student has no working knowledge of the library
nor proper method of preparation. A class unable to ask intelligent
questions about the work is not ready for the presentation of additional
matter by the teacher. It is no difficult matter for a teacher to
entertain his class for an hour with interesting incidents of the period
in which the lesson occurs. A history teacher who cannot talk
interestingly for an hour on any of the great periods of history has
surely missed his calling. But to keep a class quiet, to retain their
attention, to amuse and entertain, is far from making history vital. If
the recitation is to be really vital, the students must do most of the
talking, the criticizing, and the questioning. There can be none of
these worth while without proper preparation.

III

THE ASSIGNMENT OF THE LESSON

_Careful assignment will reveal to the student the relation of geography
and history_

The recitation can never hope to achieve its maximum helpfulness unless
the lesson be intelligently assigned. The work required must be
reasonable in amount, and not so exacting as to discourage interest.
Daily direction to look up unfamiliar words, expressions, and allusions
must be given until the habit becomes fixed. Warning against possible
geographical misconceptions should be given when necessary, together
with directions to use the map for places, routes, and boundaries. A few
questions asked in advance, with the