Physical educators can help students set goals to achieve maximum physical fitness. Educators should continually assess students' progress toward their goals, repeatedly updating goals and activities for reaching the goals. The article explains how to determine students' fitness levels and includes a fitness components activity sheet and class…

Fitness runs are planned activities that make running more interesting. The paper outlines five types of fitness runs, all of which can be modified to conform to different facilities, age groups, or available time. The activities have students playing detective, playing cards, deciphering words, learning about calories, and playing wolf. (SM)

Physical education teachers must ensure that students make the connection between skill development and the use of those skills to enhance their personal physical fitness. The article explains how to incorporate fitness concepts and movement activities throughout the lesson plan to develop students' fundamental skills. (SM)

Successful physical fitness programs are geared toward independent fitness maintenance. Today's revised national fitness tests cover overall fitness concepts (emotional and physical), recognize individual needs, and develop a life process strategy. The article provides a summary of physical fitness program components, suggestions for teachers, and…

Secondary level physical education teachers can have their students use math concepts while working out on the weight-room equipment. The article explains how students can reinforce math skills while weightlifting by estimating their strength, estimating their power, or calculating other formulas. (SM)

Describes a creative interdisciplinary program for K-3 students that involves setting up a rain forest in the gymnasium to teach students gymnastic skills in the context of the Amazon rain forest. The paper describes how to set up the rain forest and teach a variety of classes. Rainforest resources are included. (SM)

Describes a class activity for students in grades one through six called "Fitness Time." This activity can be used during a fitness unit to improve elementary students' fitness levels and enhance a number of other skills related to setting goals, telling time, making estimates, and subtracting numbers. Sample student record-keeping…

When classroom and physical educators work together, their students benefit, and so do the educators. Collaboration can expand students' fitness opportunities so there is quality, daily physical education for all. The article explains how to interest classroom teachers in such collaboration and describes successful collaboration in California…

A school-based walking program is an inexpensive and amusing way to get young students physically active. The article presents a program that can be adapted for students of any age and implemented as a physical education class unit, after school activity, or recess program. (SM)

High school and college physical education teachers can evaluate their students' progress in aerobic fitness using the "Piece A Pie" (Assessment, Plan, Implement, Evaluate) system. The article details each step and includes a sample aerobic fitness program log. (SM)

Describes how to assess and implement aerobic circuit training, which involves multistation weight training apparatus, handweights, and aerobic activity equipment to increase cardiovascular fitness and strength. Designed for high school and college students, the circuit requires 25 minutes to complete. (SM)

Lists several common physical fitness exercises that may cause more harm than good (both physically and emotionally). Physical educators must be aware of the dangers of certain exercises and activities. The article examines problems with inappropriate warmups, peer team selection, exercise as punishment, elimination games, and standing in line.…

Describes a special activity that offers an alternative for elementary physical educators with limited time, providing visual stimulation to generate student interest and enhance motivation to participate in personal fitness pursuits. The program helps students understand the benefits of fitness participation and increases awareness of physical…

Many physical education teachers have difficulty finding ways to purchase wellness assessment equipment. The article provides strategies to help them find the money for needed equipment, highlighting the physical education budget, the computer equipment budget, grants, local businesses, statewide organizations, universities, and national…