Promoting Elementary School Physical Activity

"This book provides practical and accessible physical activity ideas that both classroom and physical education teachers can use to encourage physical activity in the classroom"--

Physical inactivity is a key determinant of health across the lifespan. A lack of activity increases the risk of heart disease, colon and breast cancer, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, osteoporosis, anxiety and depression and others diseases. Emerging literature has suggested that in terms of mortality, the global population health burden of physical inactivity approaches that of cigarette smoking. The prevalence and substantial disease risk associated with physical inactivity has been described as a pandemic. The prevalence, health impact, and evidence of changeability all have resulted in calls for action to increase physical activity across the lifespan. In response to the need to find ways to make physical activity a health priority for youth, the Institute of Medicine's Committee on Physical Activity and Physical Education in the School Environment was formed. Its purpose was to review the current status of physical activity and physical education in the school environment, including before, during, and after school, and examine the influences of physical activity and physical education on the short and long term physical, cognitive and brain, and psychosocial health and development of children and adolescents. Educating the Student Body makes recommendations about approaches for strengthening and improving programs and policies for physical activity and physical education in the school environment. This report lays out a set of guiding principles to guide its work on these tasks. These included: recognizing the benefits of instilling life-long physical activity habits in children; the value of using systems thinking in improving physical activity and physical education in the school environment; the recognition of current disparities in opportunities and the need to achieve equity in physical activity and physical education; the importance of considering all types of school environments; the need to take into consideration the diversity of students as recommendations are developed. This report will be of interest to local and national policymakers, school officials, teachers, and the education community, researchers, professional organizations, and parents interested in physical activity, physical education, and health for school-aged children and adolescents.

Schoolwide Physical Activity: A Comprehensive Guide to Designing and Conducting Programs offers K-12 teachers and administrators the tools to plan and administer programs that go beyond PE class. These activities are integrated in the classroom, on playgrounds, in before- and after-school programs, in intramural programs, and in community programs.

"This reference text is based on national standards for health and physical education. It provides elementary school teachers with information they can use to integrate health and PE subjects into their classroom curriculum"--

Now in its 20th edition, Dynamic Physical Education for Elementary School Children continues as a mainstay in the physical education field, providing preservice and in-service elementary teachers the foundational knowledge needed to teach quality physical education throughout their career. This comprehensive elementary methods textbook includes physical activities that meet the Dynamic Physical Education standards and outcomes that can be used in elementary physical education classes. New to this edition are QR codes linking readers to over 100 videos showing master teachers using the management strategies, fitness routines, skill instruction, and activities described in the book. The text is supplemented by the free interactive website Dynamic PE ASAP, which includes a lesson-building tool with more than 500 activities, a customizable 36-week yearly plan, free downloadable instructional signs and assessments, and curriculum plans and activity videos. Together, the book and website put a complete plan for quality physical education at teachers’ fingertips. The book also offers practical teaching tips, case studies of real-life situations to spark discussion, and instructor resources (an instructor guide, presentation package, and test package) that make preparing for and teaching a course a breeze. The 20th edition has been updated to reflect the latest knowledge and best practices in physical education, including the following: Dynamic Physical Education standards as a framework for a physical education program Content on equity, diversity, inclusiveness, justice, culturally sensitive pedagogy, and trauma-informed teaching A new chapter on racket-related skills for tennis, pickleball, handball, and badminton Additional lifetime activities, including golf, discs, and climbing wall The 20th edition addresses the topics of equity, diversity, inclusiveness, justice, culturally sensitive pedagogy, and trauma-informed teaching based on current thinking and literature. Content has been added throughout early chapters to connect the teaching of physical education to issues of equity and justice that are critical for teachers in today’s schools. With its emphasis on skill development and the promotion of lifelong healthy activity, Dynamic Physical Education for Elementary School Children is highly applicable for both physical educators and classroom teachers. It is an ideal text to support an elementary methods PE course, providing the detail that PETE students need. The content is also very accessible to students learning to become elementary education teachers. With this latest edition, Dynamic Physical Education for Elementary School Children remains the go-to book for both preservice and in-service teachers—just as it has been for more than 50 years.

Fourteenth Edition. A valuable reference for both the pre-service and in-service elementary Physical Education teacher, this text complements Dynamic Physical Education for Elementary School Children , Fourteenth Edition. Teachers of kindergarten through sixth grade will benefit from using these lesson plans as a guide for presenting movement experiences and skills in a sequential and well-ordered manner. Plans also include ideas for integrating academic content into daily classes. The lessons are presented in three complete sets that cover unique developmental levels, grades K-2, 3-4, and 5-6. Each section contains a year-long syllabus to assist teachers with planning. This text includes all the information necessary to present a comprehensive lesson. Can be packaged at a significant discount with each new copy of Dynamic Physical Education for Elementary School Children , Fourteenth Edition.

Physically active children experience healthier growth and development. They are less likely to be overweight. They learn more effectively and manage their behavior better. Yet many classroom teachers offer little or no time for physical activity because they feel pressed for time, space, and equipment. That’s where Promoting Elementary School Physical Activity: Ideas for Enjoyable Active Learning comes in. This text provides K-5 classroom teachers and physical educators with simple, creative strategies and activities that have proven successful in schools and that are suitable for all children. The ideas are practical, accessible, and backed by research that supports the benefits of physical activity in the classroom. They are also flexible—meaning the authors present guidance and options for modifying activities, so teachers can choose what works best for their students. Most activities can be carried out in small spaces or within an existing classroom setup. Promoting Elementary School Physical Activity offers a total of 50 ready-to-use activities in four categories: Classroom physical activity breaks Physically active instruction Recess Enhanced physical education The games and activities afford schools the opportunity to emphasize physical activity throughout the day. The activities are easy to fit into the curriculum at any and all points, including before and after school. Little or no equipment is needed; for the few activities that require equipment, suggestions are provided to make simple equipment from everyday materials. In addition, most chapters offer quick tips to help teachers overcome any challenges that might come up with the activities in that section, and many chapters come with an infographic that shows or describes the benefits of the activity for the topic being discussed. Promoting Elementary School Physical Activity is organized into three parts: Part I, Classroom Physical Activity, offers ideas for integrating classroom physical activity breaks, incorporating physical activity into academic instruction, taking advantage of recess, and creating a physically active classroom. Part II, Physical Education, is written specifically for the physical education teacher. It provides simple strategies for getting students moving throughout physical education class, connecting them to physical activity resources in the school and community, and facilitating lifelong physical activity. Part III, The Physically Active School, presents more options for student physical activity, including ideas for before- and after-school programs and physically active transport to and from school. It also focuses on the importance of the physical environment, physical activity policies, physical activity practices, and social environment. The comprehensive school physical activity program is explored as a tool to organize and coordinate the physical activity opportunities presented throughout this book. This practical guide makes it easy for teachers to bring the fun of physical activity—along with its academic, social, and health benefits—to their K-5 students.

Promoting Physical Activity and Health in the Classroom responds to the growing trend in K-6 education, where classroom teachers with no specific Physical Education training must increasingly implement activities in nontraditional settings--often with limited space, equipment, time, and planning. The book is colorful, engaging, compact, and user-friendly. Its practical organization, combined with detachable, sortable index-size cards comprising more than 260 separate activities, enables teachers to implement them immediately and provides a unique resource not previously available to instructors. Improving the Health of America's Children, Understanding Children's Needs and Readiness for Physical Activity, Teaching Physical Activities Safely and Effectively, Improving the Effectiveness of Instruction and Feedback, Management and Discipline in an Activity Setting, Teaching Children with Special Needs, Integrating Physical Activity and Academics, Increasing Student's Activity Levels, Helping Students Develop Physical Fitness, Improving Students' Nutrition, Teaching Sun Safety, Promoting Children's Health Beyond the School Day. Intended for those interested in learning about how to promote physical activity and health in the classroom.