The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1902-07-11
and make 1t a part of the required
work In every grade.

teachers of the higher grades tina,
singing only belongs to the primary
rooms. But when does anyone grow
too old to enjoy singing? You teachers
who don't believe in singing, some day
when you are tired and nervous anC
faltering and the children are reflect
ing your mood and weary of theiI
work. just try the effect of some bright
pretty song.
OF course The teacher of little chill
dren just knows that she can't get
along without singing, any more than
the flowers could without the sunshine
Ten or twelve times duriag the day
she may rest the little minds and
bodies by part of song, and still the
time scarcely be missed.
II is for this recreation and rest that
the primary teacher feels the need OF
calisthenics. In this age of progress
and development, more aud more at
tention is being given to physical de.
velopment. Perfect physical manhood
was desired above all things. of the
Greeks, and so manly sports, and exer-
cses OF all kinds formed most import
ant part of the days program.
Considered as part of the schooling
of the child the Germans and Swedes
have given the subject the most careful
cosideration and the exercises of the
model school form an important feature
of the daily routine. 1t is possible that
the reason so many of our teachers
completely ignore physical exercises in
| the school room, is that they have not
been sufficiently educated on the SUBJ
ject. They neither know what may be
accomplished along this line, nor even
how to make a beginning towards
accomplishing it.
feel that every teacher should be
required to prepare herself or himself
TO some extent for this work. This
could be done without any great ex
pense Of time or money. For any
teacher, with a few lessons from some
competent person, a real interest and
desire TO succeed ard one or two
manuals en- the subject to fit herself
for the work in any of the grades AS
to any great results that may be attain
ed from the ordinary school room
calisthenics, / am not prepared to
speak, my experience having been
strictly confined to the primary room,
but can say that the exercises In any
grade should at least be beneficial to
the same extent that it is in the lower
grades. To begin with, the air of the
school room. we all know needs to be
frequently changed. Then | suggest,
no matter what the weather, throwing
open the windows, giving some good
breathing exercises, giving the lungs
the necessary change of air. The time
expended will be amply compensated
for by the renewed energy with which
the children will return to their work
Can any one doubt that the child
seated as he is. sometimes two or three
hours at time in hard mislitted desks,
suffers great physical fatigue and dis.
comfort? Can the activity of mind
reach the desired standard when the
body is cramped and suffering? What
a relief it must be to the tired back
and cramped limbs TO change theil
position, be Strengthened out by few
brisk physical exercises, at the same
time giving the mind a few minutes
relaxation.
With the little children | cannot fee
that my work means any real physica
development, except teaching them t
breath and stand correctly, but | know
that tine results may be attained with
tue older children and All interest anC
pride aroused which may continue
long after the school days are over.
In giving the exercises, two points
should be especially observed; first tina
the exercises are not too difficult for tn,
children, and second, that the muscle!
which the exercises are intended to use
should be used.
But calisthencs, | would say. howev
erpoorly conducted must result in this
one good. the rest and relief afforded
the children, and this may be also sale
OF the singing, which | urge ever,
teacher to use in her room.
There are many teachers, | know
Who may excuse themselves from at
ten ting caiistheuics on the followin.
grounds, lack of time. lack of space
and the disorder which frequentl,
comes from such an attempt.
III regard TO time, | feel that any o
MS can find the time, or Just take it
say five minutes two or three times !
day, and it viii not be time wasted
1t We are crowded, then We mus
sc Get such exercises as can be given il
The small space we have