A newsletter can be an effective component of a comprehensive plan for sharing information. A newsletter, in contrast to progress reports, surveys, open houses, or conferences, is a regular opportunity that allows for consistent sharing of information about the program. In this article, the authors discuss how to plan and produce newsletters and…

Our research was oriented to test the effects of a structured program of cooperative learning in Physical Education classes with students in grades 5 and 6 of primary school, with and without previous experience with this methodology. In a second phase we sought to determine how students perceived the received classes for a time later. We analysed…

Grounded in social cognitive and self-determination theory, one purpose of the large-scale investigation reported in this volume was to determine whether elementary-aged children (7-12 years old) are progressing toward attainment of the psychomotor assessments that have been recommended for predicting achievement of National Association for Sport…

Current debates about the role of sports in boys' education are part of a larger discussion of men, boys and masculinities. In this paper I reflect on this debate and the research it has led to. I highlight questions of embodiment, of relations between different forms of masculinity, and questions of reproduction and change, in all of which the…

The NASPE standards for physical education programs stress that students should not only achieve competence in physical skills but also acquire and integrate the underlying concepts that can lead to effective movement. Physical educators can successfully embed these underlying concepts into the daily skill instruction and guided practice in their…

Physical education is one of the more difficult subjects in the curriculum for generalist classroom teachers in primary schools to incorporate confidently into their teaching. In many primary schools, the generalist classroom teacher defers to a physical education specialist. This situation has both positive and negative features. In this context,…

Children of today may be the first generation in the United States in more than 200 years to have a life expectancy shorter than their parents. Low levels of fitness caused by physical inactivity and poor nutritional habits of many of today's youth may be a contributing factor. Combating low fitness levels with physical activity is of utmost…

This study investigated perceptions of teaching by four-year college pre-service teachers (N=20) before and after participation in a semester long practicum in elementary physical education classes. A survey consisting of 13 open-ended questions was prepared and administered to male (n = 11) and female (n = 9) pre-service teachers. Qualitative…

The National Standards for Physical Education (National Association for Sport and Physical Education, 2004) and many state physical education standards include a standard that is focused on development of movement patterns, which includes rhythmic skills. The newly adopted Physical Education Model Content Standards for California Public Schools…

The main purpose of this article is to share the author's observations of children's broader experiences in school as they relate to barriers to positive social development. In this article, the author enumerates the four barriers together with its barrier bluster to social development. Furthermore, the author states that a well-organized physical…

A sequential progression of physical education goals and activities for children from kindergarten through the sixth grade is presented. The physical characteristics of children in each grade are described, and competencies and achievement standards are outlined. A chart outlining a physical education program grade by grade and season by season…

The purpose of this article is to review current models for curriculum and pedagogy used in elementary school physical education programs. Historically, physical educators have developed and used a multiactivity curriculum in order to educate students through physical movement. More recently, a variety of alternative curricular models have been…

The author describes the organization of physical education in the schools of Finland as he found it on a recent trip there from the Soviet Union. (JH)

Developed the Constructivist Teaching Practices Inventory in Elementary Physical Education to assess teachers' expertise in constructivist-oriented physical education teaching. Exploratory factor analysis of responses of 183 elementary school physical education teachers show 4 subscales that were in line with constructivist teaching principles.…

This program planning guide for physical education in New York State Schools, grades K-6, is based on making the student fully aware of cultural, vocational, and aesthetic opportunities so the student can make constructive life decisions. The stated program goals are (a) mastery of communication and reasoning skills; (b) ability to sustain…