The aim of this article is to explain how sport education, cooperative learning, and health-based physical education can be hybridized using an educative version of CrossFit as content in fifth and sixth grade to promote the abovementioned goals. The main features of the three models and the content used are fully described. Finally,…

The purpose of this article is to highlight how a community partnership between a Northeastern U.S. university and a racially/socioeconomically diverse local elementary school (58.3% students on free/reduced lunch) impacted learners in both physical education programs. Based on the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program model, community…

Developing students who are physically literate is one of the most important aspects of physical education (PE). As teachers, we introduce students to the concepts of health and fundamental movement skills like throwing, catching and using implements to allow them the skill proficiency to pursue an active lifestyle. This article focuses on the…

Over the past decade many muscular strength and endurance routines have been introduced to children and adults toward improving overall health and fitness. When performed correctly, there are countless benefits to performing weight bearing resistance-type exercises to develop the upper, lower, and core areas of the body. The National Association…

There is a growing need for physical education teachers to integrate different types of fitness activities into their lessons in order to provide opportunities for all students to learn and practice a variety of movement skills that will enhance their physical fitness and support free-time physical activity. An increased focus on age-appropriate…

There are many benefits to having young children train or practice on balance boards. The physical education setting allows educators to provide opportunities for youth to develop essential fitness skills that can be transferred into other life experiences. Balance-board activities and exercises can help in training the central and peripheral…

A jump rope is a remarkable piece of exercise equipment. It is inexpensive and easy to store, and it can be used by a wide variety of age groups to improve cardiovascular fitness, increase agility, and tone the body's muscles all at the same time. Consequently, the teaching of jump rope skills is highly suitable for physical education classes in…

Strength, balance, and stability are important factors in performing movement skills, but are often overlooked by elementary schools when planning a quality physical education program for young children. These three interrelated structural characteristics are involved in all human movements. Movement is created by continually changing postures in…

Approximately 100 years ago, Clark Hetherington articulated the primary aims of physical education by identifying four separate areas: (1) psychomotor, which refers to motor skills; (2) organic, the fitness factor; (3) intellectual, or the cognitive component; and (4) character which refers to the affective domain. These categories can be used to…

Healthy child development relies on physical activity. New curriculum models are effectively integrating physical activity in education programs. The authors describe three such models: S.M.A.R.T. (Stimulating Maturity through Accelerated Readiness Training); Kids in Action, incorporating cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength and endurance,…

One of the primary roles of physical education teachers is to incorporate health-related fitness and lifetime physical activity into their programs. It is also important for physical educators to stay current on evolving fitness trends that may benefit their students. For example, strength training, once thought to be detrimental to children, has…

For many years, physical education instructors have been hesitant to include strength training activities in the elementary curriculum. This is a result of confusing and conflicting information regarding the safety and effectiveness of strength training for young children. Recent research published and compiled by well-informed physicians suggests…

Physical educators have an opportunity to promote outdoor activities to students. In elementary school, physical educators can introduce non-mechanized activities that students can then enjoy in outdoor environments. One of these activities is bouldering, which is climbing or traversing across a climbing wall a few feet off the ground. Bouldering…

This article provides an overview of medicine ball training. Specifically, it describes "Medicine Ball for All," a physical activity program designed to provide children and teenagers with a meaningful learning experience that is consistent with their developmental needs. The article focuses on developing a safe, successful, and inexpensive…