Understanding Primary Physical Education

In order to become a more effective practitioner every teacher needs to have a sound understanding of the theoretical, social and historical context in which their work takes place. Understanding Primary Physical Education goes further than any other textbook in exploring the development of physical education teaching at the primary and elementary level, drawing together important research from across the educational and sociological literature. The book goes beyond everyday teaching practice at an operational level to encourage students, trainee teachers and researchers to develop a critical understanding of policy, process and practice in primary physical education. By rooting everyday documents and everyday issues in a broader, connected educational and developmental landscape, this book challenges casual assumptions and encourages a better, more thoughtful teaching practice. It is an essential companion for any degree level course in primary physical education.

Now in a fully revised and fully updated new edition, this comprehensive introduction to the teaching of Physical Education in primary schools is still the only textbook to cover the full sweep of the subject, from policy and curriculum developments to best practice and current debates. Written exclusively by primary Physical Education specialists, with primary school teaching experience, the book highlights the importance of Physical Education in the primary curriculum and the key issues facing primary teachers today, such as inclusion, training needs and the development of creativity. Central to the book are core chapters that examine each functional area common to many primary Physical Education syllabi – including games, dance, gymnastics, athletics and outdoor learning – and give clear, practical guidance on how to teach each topic. This new edition includes three completely new chapters, covering leadership, stakeholder interest in Physical Education delivery, and how to manage transitions. Rooted throughout in sound theory and the latest evidence and research, this book is essential reading for all students, trainee teachers and qualified teachers looking to understand and develop their professional practice in primary Physical Education.

'Trainee teachers will welcome the concise and reader-friendly format this book offers. Julia Lawrence has taken great care to provide a balanced and relevant overview of the major topics trainee teachers often lack confidence in, when planning and delivering lessons. A particularly useful and welcome feature for trainee teachers is the book's companion website with helpful links to teaching resources. This book provides essential reading for all trainee primary teachers.' Nigel Clarke, Senior Lecturer in Physical Education, University of Cumbria. Physical Education is an important part of the primary curriculum and one that provides unique challenges for those involved with its teaching. Teaching Primary Physical Education provides a concise overview of the knowledge, skills and understanding required for the confident teaching of physical education in primary schools. This book offers a balanced and comprehensive overview of the subject, covering issues such as safe practice in PE, inclusion, subject leadership and cross-curricular approaches to physical education supported by an accessible theory-informed approach. Teaching Primary Physical Education is supported by a companion website www.sagepub.co.uk/lawrence, which includes further practical examples of applications, links to relevant literature and teaching resources, offering further student-friendly material for use across different physical disciplines. This is essential reading for all students studying primary physical education on primary initial teacher education courses including undergraduate (BEd, BA with QTS), postgraduate (PGCE, SCITT), and employment-based routes into teaching, and also for those on Sports Studies courses with a Primary PE component. Dr Julia Lawrence is Subject Leader of Physical Education at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Physical education is a core component of the primary school curriculum. This title presents a comprehensive introduction to the teaching of PE in the primary school. It highlights the importance of PE in the primary curriculum and the key issues facing primary teachers today, such as inclusion, training needs, and creativity.

`This book will prove an invaluable resource for students wanting to engage with any or all of the issues covered, and who need to get an authoritative ′quick fix′ on particular fields of research. It′s thorough, contemporary in its choice of issues and comprehensive in its coverage of them. The author is to be congratulated on making a very thoughtful and important contribution to the literature in PE′ - Professor John Evans, Loughborough University, UK. This easy-to-use introduction explores all of the contemporary issues and enduring themes in physical education, focusing on the United Kingdom but incorporating a global dimension. The wide range of topics covered include: o the requirements of National Curriculum Physical Education o the current ′state′ of physical education o the relationship between physical education and sport o extra-curricular physical education o lifelong participation in sport and physical activity o assessment and examinations in physical education o social class, gender, ethnicity and inclusion in relation to physical education o teacher training and continuing professional development. This book is an essential read for anyone embarking upon an undergraduate or postgraduate course in physical education.

This book includes information on all six areas of the PE National Curriculum (games, gymnastic activities, dance, swimming, outdoor and adventurous activities, athletic activities), to increase subject knowledge and to develop teaching, management and planning skills. This book provides professional development for generalist primary teachers and student-teachers and also offers support to subject leaders charged with the responsibility for other colleagues. It will build on current practice and aim to increase knowledge, understanding, confidence and enthusiasm in an area of the curriculum which often receives a very short time allocation during initial teaching training courses. Teaching Physical Education in the Primary School is a comprehensive guide to the subject for primary educators. It deals with not only the teaching and learning of PE, but also everything that is relevant to co-ordinating the subject.

Physical education is an important part of the primary curriculum and one that provides unique challenges for those involved with its teaching. This book provides a concise overview of the knowledge, skills and understanding required for the confident teaching of physical education in primary schools.

The Routledge Handbook of Primary Physical Education goes further than any other book in exploring the specific theoretical and practical components of teaching PE at the primary or elementary school level. As the most comprehensive review of theory, research and practice in primary PE yet published, it represents an essential evidence-based guide for all students, researchers and practitioners working in this area. Written by a team of leading international primary PE specialists from academic and practitioner backgrounds, this handbook examines the three discourses that dominate contemporary PE: health, education and sport. With case studies from twelve countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Spain and South Korea, it provides a truly international perspective on key themes and issues such as: primary PE pedagogy, policy and curriculum development assessment and standards child development diversity and inclusion teacher training and professional development. Offering an unprecedented wealth of material, this handbook is an invaluable reference for any undergraduate or postgraduate degree programme in primary physical education or any primary teacher training course with a physical education element.