The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1896-11-14
Marching.
RIIoDALEE.

RHoDA LEE.
When the signal to stop work is
given at quarter after ten o'clock
there is always great promptitude dis
played in the careful placing of pen
ellis, the little folks sitting up very
straight, with look of expectancy /
that says, II wonder what we are go
ing to do this morning."
And what can We do to rest the
tired minds and hands that have been /
SO busily employed, and relieve the
feet that have been so quiet on the
floor for the last half hour or more
1t must be something that will be a
complete change and rest and still be
an outlet for extra energy that might 1
degenerate into mischief making.
Fortunately there are enough exer-
cises meeting these requirements TO
permit of great variety in the reerea-
ton. The interest in this period !
would be apt TO flag had we not
variety and special favorites for play
time. Sometimes it is a motion song
or calisthenics Other days we have
game, or dream, and very often we
have marching. This is one of the
favorite exercises, and can be varied
in so many ways as never to lose its
attractiveness.
or course, in marching, as in all
kinds of drill, our underlying aim is to
promote detiniteness of action, and
thereby influence character. That is
why we find such exercises so helpful
Il had almost said indispensable, in
obtaining and preserving order.
Marching is very good index Of
the spirit Of a class. Careless and In
different in other departments OF work,
they will be doubly so in their march,
ing; prompt, obedient and careful at
other times, they will be sure to APP
pear so in their drill.
| Assuming the desirabilityof having
good marching, and also the necessity
for making it attractive, let us con-
slider how best to vary it.
Music is, of course, delightful in
SEPARATION, and this we may have of a
primitive kind Pianos are rarities
in the school room. We do not as
pire to such, but we have a much APP
preciated substitute in the shape of a
coarse comb and piece OF tissue pa
lper. As rule the teacher plays, al
though sometimes scholar is found
who can produce most inspiring
strains.
Sometimes we have been so FORUM
ate as to have pupil who could play
the mouth organ, and this with the
accompaniment of triangle is every
thing that could be desired.
Singing we can always have. Words
arranged to the tune of John Brown
make good marching song. Others
are 1.-THE Maple Leaf" "Red, White
and Blue, keep to the Right, Boys, y
"Gwine Back to Dixie etc.
In the serpentine march marching
up and down the aisles in single flle)
1t will spur up your 'little soldiers" to
tell them that you intend to step in
behind the boy or girl who is march
ing best. You will then see the
shoulders thrown back, the chins
drawn in and every child doing his
best to induce his teacher to walk next
him.
A flag march is another favorite.
The best marchers carry each little
five cent flag. II the room boasts a
banner. let one child carry it, and oc-
casionally bring out paper caps for the
"captains" to wear. The old paper
cap has lost its original office alto
gether, and, instead of shaming
some fearful dullard or truant, it
adorns the manifest little fellow in
the class; being, instead Of a disgrace,
a much coveted honor.
Another exercise that requires close
attention consists in the teacher Civ
ing certain commands while the march
is in progress, such as GLANDS Up, :"
down." ''Fold Arms" Out etc.
Never show careless marching at
any time; in going to and from the
board, entering and leaving school,
let them march in time and step.
With little ones this is at first a some
what difficult matter, but with care
and persistency in starting, always
starting with the left foot, it can be
| done. Educational Journal