Background: The implementation of a quality daily physical activity program in school is influenced by a multitude of factors. Considering the characteristics and possible interactions of factors when choosing the study methods is likely to influence the interpretation of the results. Mixed methods approach, by collecting both quantitative and…

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…

Desk and chair activities for use with handicapped and nonhandicapped elementary children in the classroom are described. The activities require minimal equipment while providing opportunities for vigorous physical movement. Activities are discussed which feature using the aisles between desks, sitting at the desks, and performing circuit and…

Six recreational activities for elementary aged children involving the use of a ball are described. The activities are designed to develop personal and physical skills and teach children to bounce, dribble, catch, throw, or roll a ball with improved effectiveness. (PHR)

Instructions and illustrations support this discussion of learning activities designed to remediate deficiences and build skills in balance and/or motor skills for mildly handicapped students who may not have access to physical therapy or adaptive physical education. Appropriate for both regular and special classes, activities include arm…

In order to construct a scientifically designed evaluative instrument to assess the motor fitness of boys in the primary grades, 30 test items purported to measure muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance, power, speed, agility, flexibility, and balance were administered to an incidental sample of 238 boys ages 6 to 9 years.…

This text offers both theoretical and practical information for teaching movement to elementary students. Following an introduction to movement education theory, the content of the book is divided into four sections. Chapter 1 of part 1 outlines a rationale for movement education. Chapter 2 looks at the cognitive, affective, and motor development…

Teachers should not allow the current popularity of movement education to alter their approach to physical education without first considering the limitations as well as the merits of movement education. (RC)

A unit using hula hoop activities helped 15 educable mentally retarded elementary students improve physically and socially and increased their self-esteem. (CL)

The social, emotional, and physical benefits of physical education activities for mainstreamed students with special needs are discussed. Success or failure in physical activity is a sensitive issue which affects attitude. The mainstreamed child must gain a sense of belonging without experiencing failure. Suggestions for structuring a program are…

Accompanied by a descriptive text, this illustrated guide to movement education for grades one through six provides drawings and examples of movement exercises using balls, wands, ropes, balance beams, ladders, and boxes. The objective is to stimulate awareness of the body as a wholly integrated being. The picture series offers a selection of…

Information and materials to assist professional staff in providing a meaningful and sequential program of rhythms and games of low organizational structure for grades K-6 is presented. Simple dance activities are described, and evaluation checklists for measuring activity effectiveness and student development are provided. Specific directions for…

Discusses the possible relationships between reading instruction and five areas of the psychomotor domain--space, laterality, directionality, following directions, and self-concept--and suggests methodological implications for the teaching of reading. (RL)

A new approach to elementary school physical education is called "movement education." Movement education uses problem-solving, guided-discovery, and exploratory methods, with the effect of individualizing learning in physical education. The concepts involved in movement education include body awareness and skills, the space in which the body…

Guidelines are offered in this manual for developing a physical education curriculum for grades one through eight. The primary objective for the curriculum is the development of physical fitness, and also motor and life skills in students. Activities are recommended in the areas of team and individual sports, aquatics, and rhythm and dance. The…