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Purpose: This study examines the changes in the practice of reading guidance. Specifically, it analyzes and discusses the changes in attitude of elementary and junior high school staff toward reading guidance and the characteristics of the method. Methods: The Japan School Library Association Conference has been held for more than 50 years. In this paper, the author examines the articles by JSLA conference participants and summarizes the practical reports and discussions. Results: Reading guidance initially began with "reading together" and "thinking more deeply about reading." The quality of reading was also emphasized. However, there were differences of opinion about the method. Then, through repeated practice around Japan, "group reading that can be held in a short period of time" and "working to make reading more fun" activities were proposed and practiced. The practice of reading guidance has changed as a whole. (1) It used to be difficult to perform reading guidance, but with the implementation of unprescribed time (yutori no jikan) in the 1980s and the trend toward morning reading activities after the late 1990s, the recognition spread that reading guidance or activities to encourage reading could be performed in even a short time such as 10 to 20 minutes; (2) From the 1980s, "considering reading enjoyment" and "facing reading itself" came under review; (3) with differences of opinion regarding the value of having everyone read the same book and of effectively forcing them to read certain books, the focus shifted to free reading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Mizumaki-cho, Fukuoka, a "School of muscle-building for the elderly" was held by the self-help group "MIZUMAKI Iki-iki senior club" once a week from Sep. 2002 to Mar. 2004. This school program included stretching, aerobics and resistance exercises. In this study, we clarified the effect of exercise for the 38 elderly females in this school. Their average age was 65.8 years old. Blood pressure, BMI, body %Fat, VO2 max, grasping power, time of standing on one leg with eyes open, anteflexion while sitting, time of walking for 10 m and time of standing up from sitting on a chair were measured before starting school, after 6 months, 12 months and 18 months. Every measured value except BMI and VO2 max was improved, and these improvements continued for 18 months. Especially, it was shown that time of standing on one leg with eyes open, time of standing up from sitting on a chair and time of walking for 10 m improved by 121.6%, 112.7%, 30.4%, respectively, compared with each measured value at the start. These improvements might produce the effect of fall prevention for the elderly. From the results of this study, it was clarified that regular exercise builds up the muscles of the female elderly, and continuation of exercise also extends the effect of exercise for the female elderly.