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

| The attention of teachers, directors and other:
is specially invited to the premium offered by the
La Sale County Board at their last annual fair
for educational work, to-wt:
Best General Exhibit from any Graded
School sl5 o.
Best General Exhibit from any Non-Graded
school ................. ............ III w
Best General Exhibits of Maps drawn by
Pupils, not less than thirty competing,
from any Graded School. ............... 50(
Best General Exhibit of Maps drawn by
Pupils, not less than twelve competing,
from any Non-tiraded School. ......... 800
Best Exhibit of Penmanship, not less than
twenty Pupils competing, from any
Graded school. ..... ................. SOC
Best Exhibit of Penmanship, not less than
twelve Pupils competing, from any Nom
Graded school 500
Best Specimens of Letter Writing from any
school, not less than twelve competing 0L
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 he added ut 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 cooperation of all who have
the direction of our schools.
The object Of the present article is to call the
attention to the above listat an early time in the
school year, 50 that any changes desired may be
made by the Board and ample time be given for
the preparation OF the work. Printed circulars
will be sent TO teachers in due season containing
information on every essential point.
K. WILLIAMS,
County superintendent of Schools.
CaIIsthenics.
The exhibition of calisthcnics by the boys and
girls at Turn Hall last Monday evening under
the direction of Prof lIeidwcilcr, was fully equa
in interest to any previously given, and pretty
large audience was present. There seems, how
ever. To be an unusual Indifference in regard tC
these exhibitions 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
full practical course of casthenics for schools
Nowhere is their absence so much to he regret
ted: nowhere is less attention paid to them than
in the school room. The course illustrated Mon
dav evening consisted of simple movements Tor
the limbs bending Of the body, light use oil the
dumb bells aud the simpler movements OF indian
club practice, with very light clubs and march
mr-iust such a course rs would enlvcn a school
after long terms in close room. The value OF
some physical training of school children has
long been recognized, but little attention has, as
vet been paid to il here. Parents and teachers
aim TO crowd the children ahead intellectually
under rs high pressure as possible; they are
crammcd for competitive examinations; worked
for admission early to the high school or college,
and stimulated 10 overwork by numbcrless re-
wards and even punishments. such youths never
do well: the heat breaks them down, and the brain
witbers away for want of the nourishment of a
rood. rich blood Excessive physical trainin" is
as had: il almost invariably bcgetS heart dis
ans, or paralysis or both. The golden mean
l. tbe end sought for-that mean OF exercise that
leeI,s the lndy in good condition, so that Sat u
nroser ageVa man may tax his braip win I'M
nunity. The ideal system of physical training Is,
we mink. nearly il not entirely perfected IN the
Turner system; whence we think II deserves
more attention from the public generally. After
The caIIsthenics a few pretty human PYRAMIDS
wer, shown, which was followed by pleasant
social hon.