Classroom teachers do not have adequate training to provide quality elementary physical education programs. Quality programs require the knowledge and skills of physical education specialists, who have training in movement education, motor development, and motor learning. If schools valued students' physical health and fitness, they would hire…

This four-year study investigated effects of a health-related physical education program on quantity and quality of lessons in seven elementary schools. Results showed that specialists produced the best outcomes and that trained teachers were superior to controls. Part 2 of the study assessed maintenance effects 1.5 years following intervention…

This article reports results of an examination of the influence of student teachers on the professional lives of three veteran elementary physical education specialists. These teachers were interviewed about their perceptions of the student teaching practicum, reasons for participation, benefits, their role, and collaboration with teacher…

This article presents basic information for regular and special physical educators to help them better understand the procedural rights of parents as well as the schools, and to help them make appropriate judgments for the physical education placement and programing of students with handicaps. (IAH)

The subject of this study was a successful elementary physical education teacher, and its purpose was to investigate the pedagogical uses of the teacher's skill in observation. The inquiry was organized around three themes: the constitutive nature of observing, images for observational comparison, and the subjective experience of observation. (IAH)

This article describes a playground design that is a physical education experience center divided into a developmental area, a creative area, and an all-weather area. (PD)

GRADES OR AGES: No mention. SUBJECT MATTER: Physical education. ORGANIZATION AND PHYSICAL APPEARANCE: The guide is divided into several color-coded sections covering different aspects of the program. It is mimeographed and spiral-bound with a paper cover. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES: Activities are listed under the qualities or parts of the body…

The author argues that children's physical fitness is a pervasive social issue and that skillful moving must be the central goal of children's physical education. The next three articles are introduced as a thematic approach to the development of skillful moving. (MT)

Some activities successful with elementary age children on the mini-tramp which comply with the "no flip" rules are described. (JMF)

This article summarizes some of the current discussion concerning the height of the basketball goal. A system of graduated heights for elementary school, high school, college, and professional teams is suggested. (JMF)

Describes physical education activities which utilize equipment made from common objects and readily available materials. (JMB)

Discusses the benefits of and strategies for integrating various disciplines within physical education, suggesting that by communicating with classroom teachers, planning for integration, and organizing using a matrix, the integration process can be easier, less time-consuming, and more consistent. The paper explains how to begin (start small,…

Physical education teachers needed to reach a consensus among themselves as to the direction and scope of elementary school physical education, and they needed to work with other groups to produce a document that could be used as a resource to educate others about the importance of elementary school physical education. "Essentials of a Quality…

This book provides the motor development knowledge base and program planning procedures for developing the elementary physical education program. Part one is an overview of the motor development knowledge base and includes chapters on growth, how exercise affects children, motor skill development, how children learn motor skills, and psychosocial…

Eight papers present information about children's motor development and its application for program design. Jerry R. Thomas, Kathi T. Thomas, and Jere D. Gallagher discuss "Children's Processing of Information in Physical Activity and Sport." In "Toward Inclusion," G. S. Don Morris considers characteristics of children and of motor tasks with…