The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1906-11-01
Hope Public Schools
BY w. c. SLATER, Superintendent

This article was written by Miss Julia
Larson, supervisor of Physical Gull
ture, and will appear in the biennial
report of the state department, which
will be issued soon:
The purpose of education is to give
to the body and soul all the beauty
and all the perfection of which they
are capable"
1t is thoroughly conceded that the
school system which does not provide
for the physical as we'll as the mental
welfare Of pupils is not doing its duty.
There are many features comprehend
ed in the physical wellbeing of the
school child. Having the advantages
of a modern school building we have
the improved methods of heating, light
ing and ventilation. We consider the
seating of pupils with reference to in
dividual powers of sight and hearing.
We have Fairgrounds that give OPP
~portunity for freq and unrestrained
exercise. But with these matters salts
factorily disposed of, there are still
constant and necessary conditions of
school life which are adverse to the
physical development of pupils, and
which nothing but physical exercise
can counteract. These conditions lie
mainly in the s~edentary nature of the
occupation of the pupil. AS with 9th
er sedentary pursuits, three general
results follow: First, the nutritive
process of the body including circula-
ton, respiration, and the digestive
functions become weakened and de-
ranged by lack of sufficient demand
for their work, a demand which comes
through muscular activity. Second,
the conditions of school life are such
as tend to cultivate and fix what has
been called the fatigue position-a po-
siSion in which the. tchest is contracted
ind fattened, the shoulders rounded
forward, and the head and hips pro-
trude forward. This is the typical at
I1ude where corrective gymnastics are
lot taken. Third, the psychological
development, which comes only, OF
aain]y through physical activity, is
seakened by these conditions. Th'
apacity for this development is at it,
lost susceptible period during thu
i;hool years.
To %counteract these results is
he object of every lesson given ir
.hysical culture. Twenty minutes, the
me we devote to each class, seems
,ort period in which to accomplish
cry much, but by working faithful,
I'd Systematically positive strength
evelopment, and endurance cal cbe
chieved. We have a large assembly
,all, which not being seated, is usec
or a gymnasium. We have -four
classes in physical culture each day
30 grades in each class. Two classes
lave been conducted during the recess:
. periods, as the teacher in charge O.
\ 5le physical department also teache!
i second grade and so<.cannot afford t.
spend too much time from her grade;
All the lessons begin with a prelim
|. mary stretching Of the. arms upwards
a ID sideways to assist the body to
h 9 ,vu standing posture from which t.
i take the exercises that follow, ant
With a drill in marching, including
! fancy marches, fancy steps and mill
|, tary drills. A breathing exercise i
hen taken and is followed by the reg
IL ar table of exercises. This table be
gins with work for the extremities-th
. arms and legs-to increase the flow o
the circulation away from the centra
part of the body. These two exercise
are then generally taken in combina
5ion, making strong muscular an
: p%ostural work. In the free work, thes
. Exercises are followed by local move
= nents as for hands or neck, and b.
b. Lance movements, and the lesso:
. closes with the heaviest exercises Q
all, those for the trunk of the body
working alone or in combination wit
: other parts. In apparatus work thi
same same general plan is followed
. Dur exercises are executed to plan
music. More life is thrown into th
work if inspired by e%xhilaratin
= strains of music. In marching til
= step becomes lighter and more elastic
= In fact, melody kindles the enthusiast
= and adds new energy to the motion,
D The command form of exercise j
\ used in preference to the drill form
= Drills are chiefly effective for muir
= tive stimulation, but are OF very littl
. value for the correction of posture Q
, for the training Of the psychologists
. powers. Command work, by concer
y tration of attention upon the doing {
y one thing at a time, and for othe
q reasons, is the most effective for pc.
tural correction Of any form of exc
. else. The psychological training a
. forded by command work, especial