Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-05-12
FEATURES OF THE TEACHERS IN.
STITTTE PROGRAMME.


There is one feature OF the programme
Of exereises for the teachers county in
stituteS, which the State Superintend-
ent ofSchools, Mr.. BUTCHER, has just
issued, that we'll deserves a passing
notice.
We refer to the liberal amount Of
space awarded to exercises which per-
tain to physical culture. \ very few
years ago it would have been regarded
rs out oftaste, to say the least, to inter-
sperse among the items of literary
programme anything so coarse and
purely earnal as is implied in the term
''calisthenies;" yet we find it appearing
as part ofeaeh days programme for so
dignified and intellectual body as the
Teachers Institute of West Virginia.
The world lido move" And one of
the modern discoveries is that it re-
uuires muscle as we'll as mind to move
ii. A trained and well developed mind
in u small, decrepit body is not of much
force in these days of high pressure OPP
eratiOns and modes of life. Success in
this day of the world depends as much
upon a sound body, with powers ofwOrk
and endurance as upon highly trained
intellect. The former may succeed in
many lines of labor without the other,
but the latter can achieve but little in
any sphere of life without the former.
a school teacher who takes a compre-
hensive view of the results of his work
Us an educator, will want to build upon
good foundation. That foundation,
after all, is muScle-a sound body de-
veloped along with the intellectual
powers. 1t is shOrt-sighted policy
which makes the office Of the school
teacher to consist solely or even chiefly
i'm the training of the intellect. 1t is
like bestowing upon man immense
wealth with no place to put it and no
provision for protecting it.
And yet, practically, the physical
care ofschOol children has been almost
ignored by the school teachers and our
school methods. 1t is only within a
very short time past that anything re-
sembling ealisthenics or physical train
ing of any kind, has made its appear
ance as part of the exercises of the
school room, and it is yet so novel
sight that spectators look on with aston
ishment, as if they wondered where our
schools were tending. Boys have been
allowed To 50 through the entire
course of an academic education
with no more knowledge or apprecia-
ton of physiological science than Il
young colt. Girls grow up to woman
hood, and find themselves suddenly in
vested with the grave responsibilities OF
rearing and training children, who are
just as ignorant of the functions of the
human system as of the steam engine
which they some times ride behind.
But We are glad to note a change
glad that the school teacher is begin
ming to recognize that he cannot be
made to stand IN loco parents as to the
intellect of child without some respOn-
sibility for his physical welfare and cul-
ture. He cannot reap enduring results
rs reward for his labors unless he
builds upon a substantial foundation.
We, therefore, regard it as evidence
of intelligent progress in our school
methods to find the term "calisthenicsr
so freely interspersed among the litera-
ry exercises of a school programme. 50
also aresuch topics as Digestion ofFOod
and Circulation of the Blood" "Respi
ratory Organs 1.-THE Necessity of Pure
Air" Improper Heating, Nentilating,
Lighting, Seating and Cleaning School
Buildings" Recreation and Exercise
for Pupils" &c, &c.
These subjects, we say, mark progress
in our school methods, and the teachers
will do we'll to give them practical APP
plication, as well as theoretical discus
sion.