The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-05-30

to help this little fellow to feel at ease
 and to have any assurance.
 One day the class was out of doors playing a game. In this game three chil- dren place their hands on each other shoulders forming a hollow tree" In each of these hollow trees a child rep
 resenting squirrel, is placed, and there
 are several extra squirrels without trees
 At signal from the teacher the squirrels
 change trees, thereby giving the squir- rels without trees a chance to get places l Mrs. Evans noticed that this little boy | hung back and never secured a place in
 tree. He was left out, because he didn't know how to play as the other children played. Presently Mrs. Evans 1 placed him near tree" and when the signal was given and the squirrel ran out, she gave him a little push and in he went. He had treel He was per fectly delighted, and looked around with an expression of absolute joy. He had
 a tree! He wouldn't have been happier with gold mine, and he laughed the most delighted laugh you could imagine Mrs. Evans kept watching him. helped him a bit more, and presently he was get
 ting into trees" by himself. The teacher afterward told Mrs. Evans that that ons
 experience of his being able to do some
 thing even though he had to be helped
 at first, had made marked change in
 him. That single experience in accom-
 plishing something that the other children did and that he had long wanted to dc
 made him feel that he could do what the others did. and he learned not to be afraid to try It was one of those things that work out with greater re. suits than we expect
 Then there are so many other things the exercises do for the children Many of. the teachers say that they would not attempt to teach without regular periods
 for exercise and relaxation. In winter
 the brisk movements are needed to warm the body. In summer, they are given slowly, with a quiet, steady count, and the breathing and other movements stfm-
 ulate the circulation of the blood and rest and tired muscles.
 Tactics appeal especially to the older boys. They are given with military pre- cision, and the children like to execute the movements with the accuracy and precision that is necessary, and that is n test of their skill and concentration. Regular and systematic physical train- ing has made a significant change in dis cipline. Much disorder and inattention is caused from the chldren's being tired and the exercises relieve this physjcal strain and thereby improve the order of the room. In them the children have an opportunity to get rid, of the surplus en- ergy that interferes with school work.
 They feel rested and are able to study with more concentration, and they are kept from acquiring the unhealthful and ungainly positions that would result from sitting bent over their desks.
 This has contributed immea sureably to the appearance of the children. Watch them, when you have an opportunity, as they pass out of the school building, as semble on the grounds march out for fire ri md n q -a1 q the steps or stairs You can notice so readily the effect of physical training and you will note a marked contrast be- tween them and children who have not been trained
 No department of the city schools is in charge of supervisors who are more competent or who are more sincerely in terested in their work than is this. From the standpoint of supervisor, grade teach CT and pupil 1t Is a success in itself and most commendable addition to the school system.