The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-12-14

The attention of teachers, directors and others
is specially invited to the premium offered by the
La Sale County Board at their last annual fair,
for educational work. to-wit
Best General Exhibit from any Graded
School $15 90
Best General Exhibition any Non-Graded ,.
School ............... 10 co
Best General Exhibits of Maps drawn by
Pupils, not less than thirty competing,
from any Graded School. 300
Best General Exhibit of Maps drawn by
Pupils, not less than twelve competing,
from any Noniraded School. ......... 900
Best Exhibit of Penmanship, not less than
twenty Pupils competing, from any
Graded School. ...... ...........,..... 'oo
Best Exhibit of Penmanship, not less than
twelve Pupils competing, from any Nom -o
Graded School NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. oUo
Best Specimens of Letter Writing from any
school, not less than twelve competing, 5OO
Form, spelling, punctuation and expression
will be considered in making the award.
1t is the intention of the Board to continue this
list of premiums at the next annual fair, Other
premiums may be added at the suggestion of
teachers who take an interest in the work. The
examination papers sent the committee OF the
State Teachers Association, show that credi-
table and interesting exhibit can be made for
another year by the corporation of all who have
the direction of our schools.
The object Of the present article is to call the
attention to the above istat an carly time in the
school year, 50 that any changes desired NAV be
made by the Board and ample time he given Tor
the preparation OF the work. Printed circulars
will he sent to teachers in due season containing
information on every essential point.
X. WILLIAMS,
County Superintendent of Schools.
CaIIsthenics.
The exhibition OF calisthenics by the boys and
pirls at Turn Hall last Monday evening under
the direction of Prof IIeidweilcr, was fully equal
in interest To any previously given, and pretty
LARGE audience was present. There seems, how
ever. To be an unusual Indifference in regard to
these exhil itions on the part of our American
citizcns-much more than there should be, We
think. The real object we should say, OF these
exhibitions is the illustration of simple, health
ful, practical course of calisthencs for schools
Nowhere is their absence much 10 he regret
ted. nowhere is less attention paid to them than
in the school room. The course illustrated Mon
doy evening consisted Of simple movements for
the limbs, bending Of the body, light use of the
dumb bells aud the simplcrmovementso OF lndiar
club practice, with very light clubs and march
iug-ius: such course as would enlvcn a schoo
after long terms in q close room. The value ct
some physical training of school children has
orr been recognized, but little attention has, as
vet been paid to it here. Parents and teachers
aim To crowd the children ahead intellectually
under as high a pressure as possible; they are
crommed for competitive examinations; worked
for admission early to the high school or college
and stimulated TO overwork by numberlcsS re-
wards and even punishments. such yooths never
do we'll: the heat breaks them down, and the brain
vithers AWAY for want of the nourishment OF i
rood rich blood. Excessive physical training Is
a. had. II almost invariably bcgetS heart dis
ease or paralysis or both. The golden mean,
| a. the end sought for-that mean OF exercise tha'
lerns the lsdy in good condition, so that Iat a
nroscr areVa man may tax his braiu win I'M
nupity. The ideal system of physical training IS
We think, nearly il not entirely perfected IN the
Turner system; whence we think II deserves
mors attention from the public generally. Aite'
the caIisthenics few pretty human pyramids
wcre shown, which was followed by pleasant
Sorial hon.