This paper describes and evaluates a gymnastic program for children (ages 4-9) with autism and related developmental disorders. An introductory section reviews the literature on characteristics of children with autism and discusses how traditional education is inadequate for such children. Review of the literature on effective interventions notes…

This study examined the effects of participation in an after school physical fitness program emphasizing aerobics on low-fit elementary students. Data were collected on four occasions. The program had a positive impact on field test measures but did not improve body fatness, cardiovascular responses to exercise, and blood lipid profiles. (SM)

Study assessed preservice teachers' knowledge and attitudes about HIV/AIDS to develop preservice HIV/AIDS curricular guidelines. A questionnaire examined AIDS symptomatology, transmission, risk behaviors, consequences, prevention, classroom policy, and attitudes. Results provided guidance for developing an HIV/AIDS curriculum for preservice health…

Reports the positive effects of a school-based program including classroom health education, vigorous physical education, and lower fat and sodium school lunches on improving students' diet and physical activity. However, staff development and policy changes would have to accompany any widespread implementation. (CJS)

Provides six fully developed library media activities to be used in conjunction with specific curriculum units in art, health, physical education, reading/language arts, science and mathematics, and social studies. Grade levels, objectives, curriculum objectives, resources, instructional roles, activities and procedures for completion, evaluation,…

Physical fitness of children with learning disabilities may be comparatively low. In a school-university cooperative program, four rural children with learning disabilities and their families participated in a 10-week fitness program that included nutrition education and family exercise activities. Results were positive and showed the need for…

Discusses ways to integrate students with disabilities into gross motor activities within inclusive physical education classes, noting reasons why students with disabilities have similar needs to students without disabilities. The paper recommends the use of peer tutors, describes different adaptations, and lists potential needs of students with a…

Presents a unit for elementary students that focuses on the music of the ancient culture of China during the Tang dynasty. Provides background information on Chinese society, music in ancient China, the relationship between music and poetry and other related arts. Offers two lesson plans with accompanying music and a list of resources. (CMK)

Many US states do not require that elementary schools provide a physical education specialist, making the classroom teacher the only provider of physical education instruction. Their attitudes toward physical education and perceptions of their ability to teach it will affect their efforts to do so. Elementary education majors (n = 183) were…

Teaching critical thinking, a relatively new area and concept in physical education, can take the form of problem solving--the development and presentation of physical and mental problems that challenge students to reach a solution. Providing students with conceptually well-defined and designed problems can give physical education teachers an…

This report presents results of an evaluation of the SPORT IT! program, a 15-week fundamental motor skill development program for Australian elementary school students. The program is taught by classroom teachers and involves approximately five sessions on each of six skill units: locomotion, ball control, throwing, tracking and trapping, kicking,…

A K-6 physical education/classroom program is presented which is designed to promote cardiovascular fitness and respiratory efficiency along with physical, mental, emotional, and social health. It is pointed out that this program costs little, is appropriate for all ages, is simple to put into effect, can be interdisciplinary, and can be extended…

This curriculum guide is designed to provide teachers with a tool for planning an instructional program in physical education based on the Texas Education Agency essential elements and the goals and objectives of the Fort Worth Independent School District. The guide covers six major instructional areas: (1) physical fitness; (2) motor development;…

This study investigated the influence of two different instructional approaches on 298 elementary school students. Two four-week units were taught, the first on movement education and fundamental movement skills, and the second on gymnastics. Two treatment groups were randomly selected, and classes were conducted by six experienced teachers who…

Physical education programs at the nursery and elementary school levels should stress the development and refinement of fundamental movement patterns and a wide variety of sport skills instead of dealing with specialized skill development through refined performance experiences. The developmental model of physical education is based on the…