Since 1923, Minnesota educators have been engaged in teaching and promoting Physical Education. In 2005, it has become apparent that the 2,500 physical education instructors in Minnesota are in need of a Best Practices document to support quality Physical Education. As a result, this manual has been developed to provide assistance to school…

Although physical educators cannot be experts on every sport or activity, there is still a need to include specialized activities in the curriculum that a physical educator may not initially feel comfortable teaching because of inexperience and a lack of expertise. Golf, like other activities such as tennis, requires a specificity of training that…

The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) believes that prior to the start of each season, all high school head coaches, assistant coaches, and volunteer coaches should be required to participate in a comprehensive orientation to the sport program. This orientation should be planned and conducted by the athletic director or…

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is an epidemiologic surveillance system that was established by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help monitor the prevalence of behaviors that not only influence youth health, but also put youth at risk for the most significant health and social problems that can occur during…

The Physical Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (PECAT) will help school districts conduct a clear, complete, and consistent analysis of written physical education curricula, based upon national physical education standards. The PECAT is customizable to include local standards. The results from the analysis can help school districts enhance…

Children's natural play patterns provide opportunity for fitness development. Children typically do not care about the benefits of physical activity or the physiology behind the activities they perform, but they are very interested in participating in fun activities. Often curricula focus on how to feed children values that are important to…

This article applies Stephen R. Covey's "seven habits of highly effective people" to physical educators. Although the habits were not written specifically for physical educators, they certainly do apply. The article focuses on how the seven habits can help physical educators work more successfully with administrators and other teachers. In…

Maintaining a high-quality professional portfolio is important for both preservice and inservice physical educators because a portfolio serves as a comprehensive representation of an individual and his or her accomplishments as a professional. For this reason, it is important that physical educators take an active role in updating and maintaining…

Despite the recognized health risks associated with physical inactivity, most Americans are not active enough to achieve health benefits, and many report no planned physical activity at all. The Surgeon General's report on physical activity and health and several research studies have provided evidence that most Americans do not exercise and are…

Individuals who are physically active express more confidence in their physical abilities, which leads to stronger motivation to be physically active. Therefore, educators need to find ways to develop confidence among youths in an effort to get them more physically active in and out of school. Self-confidence can be improved with psychological…

Standards define today's educational landscape. In physical education, standards at both the national and state levels have become a driving force that shapes curriculum and instruction. Although all students are expected to meet the learning standards, teachers are often challenged with offering instruction that allows students with disabilities…

A fundamental characteristic of a successful physical education program is that the students are interested and motivated to learn the intended objectives. Unfortunately, in many cases, students begin losing interest in physical education as they progress through school. In order to better understand this phenomenon, the authors explored the…

This book deals with the promotion of body awareness through use of educational gymnastics, with handicapped or non-handicapped but poorly coordinated children of all age levels. The method provides an analytical approach to movement, encourages children to listen to language, and assists them in creating their own activities. The activities and…

This official training manual of the United States Cerebral Palsy Athletic Association includes the latest coaching and training techniques specific to all sports in the national program. The book features guidelines for coaching over a dozen sports, including soccer, swimming, cycling, and track and field. It contains everything coaches,…

The elementary school years are crucial in the life of a boy or girl. In this formative period, children's experiences profoundly affect their physical, social, mental, and emotional growth. Today's schools are challenged to provide meaningful experiences that will help these children realize their full potential. Physical education is one of the…