MOTIVATION OF SELF-TESTING ACTIVITIES

One of the most satisfactory objectives of self-testing activities is eety
manipulatione There is nothing so satisfying to a boy as to be able to manipu-
late his body in as many good forms as possiblee “In the introduction to McClow's
"Pumbling Illustrated", Martin A. Foss has shown 666 different exareieet, and
around 20,000 combinations of muscular feats. The MMcClow study is one of the
most exhaustive in the field of tumbling, and yet he does not cover all the terri-
tory.

Another objective of self-testing activities that should be mentioned is the
development of leadershipe Physical abilities are individual, and a boy's skill
can quickly be notede The gifted boy is soon discovered and becomes an inspira-
tion to his fellows, and is immediately given the place as leader.

At West Junior High School practically all the leaders in the physical edu-
cation classes are in the ner one-half of the classes in tumbling. There is
no doubt that tumbling is a great strength builder and one of the best forms of
activity to reach all the muscles of the bodye Tumbling gives much gratification
to the performer, especially as he feels himself increase in skill and grace.
This physical success builds up confidence in himself and gives him poise to meet
his fellows in the regular school classes. Tumbling excrcises can be used all
through a person's lifce It is not uncommon to hear a man in his 70's brag about
how far he can walk on his hands, and I have read that some famous movie actor
claims that his entire program of excercise is handwalkinge Most stunts, once
learned, are never lost but we enna throughout lifc.e

I think the greatest problem in physical cducation today is the need for
graded material. At the present time, the physical cducation classes are large
“and composed of heterogeneous groups made up of children ranging in size from
midgets to giants with all types of mentality, as wcll as various levels of skill.
Each level requires a suitable adaptive form of work. This condition makes jt
difficult for the teagher of physical cducation to satisfy the needs of tho
the various groups found in the average physical education class. Some of the
boys arc completely unskilled and physically illiterate, others aré gifted and

highly skilled, moving at a very high rate of speed.