The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-11-06
e. J. TAYLOR

tect postural defects, spinal cur%vatures,
defects In growth and development
and other abnormalities which might
escape detection without the special
examination. 1t would save much
time and misspent energy of teachers
and pupils if the Binet tests which
are now coming into use were applied
in classifying students and placing
in special classes in some instances,
Ut might not be amiss to apply the
test to the teachers also.) When the
examinations and classification have
been made the next problem is the in
! struction. s -
Physical exercise. alone should not
tconstitute the physical education In
the high school. That would be phys
ical training instead of physical edu-
cation. Instruction in personal and
sex hygiene and the common practices
Of domestic and public sanitation
should be an important part. The in
struction should continue through the
four years Of the high school course.
1t should be progressive from year to
year. It must necessarily be element
airy yet. comprehensive, enough to give
each pupil q reasonable working
knowledge to guide him in maintain
ing health. Elementary gross anat-
omy and physiology should be taught
in the freshman year as foundation
work for later instruction in hygiene.
We are prone to neglect the import
ant point of knowing the structure of
the body and the functions of it's or
CANS. We devote all of our time. to
learning about u surroundings and
to the study of abstract subjects.
Nothing is more interesting or more
important than the study of the hu-
nan body and its care when it is
properly taught. That instruction
should be given by the instructors in
physical education. These, teachers
should be special teachers who have
had special preparation in q, school Of
physical education.
Boys and girls should be taught
separately by teachers of their w
sex. Better results will be secured in
practically every instance. It is a
mistake to expect high school bows TO
enter heartily into physical exercises
conducted by a lady. At BEST there is
a strong natural sentiment which is
hard to overcome in the minds of the
boys against it.. Each sex understands
itself bettre than it understands the
sex therefore better work
will result.
There should be al daily period on
each class schedule for physical edu-
cation. Then the hygiene and allied
subjects could be taken up in bi-week-
ly ten minute talks while the class is
sitting in position on the gymnasium
floor.
Sex hygiene is a delicate subject
to handle properly and therefore great.
care must be taken or harm will be
done when good is intended. Usually
a. conscientious and competent ply
stefan and nurse can be secured to
give this instruction. No person
should attempt it without a great
deal Of study and preparation. Nhe
method of dealing with the subject
is of chief Importance. Perhaps the
most successful method is thai of BIZ
illogical evolution explained and apl
piled to human beings. The question
of sex hygiene cannot be lodged or ig-
nored much longer. This instruction
will soon be required in all first class
high schools.
"The physical exercise required of
the high school girls should consist OF
organized games of an active type re-
curing some degree of skill and CO.
operation; gymnastic dancing, that is.
folk dancing and gymnastic steps ar
ranged to music; ~calisthenics, and
swimming IL a suitable place is avail
able. The voluntary work should be
well supervised class team competi-
ton in Observation-Disclosures girls rules
tennis and volley ball. Skating
should be encouraged where it is pos
sible.
"The game work furnishes oppor-
tunity for training in initiative. cour-s