This article explores the importance and value of using recreation therapy (RT) as a way to increase social connection. RT can be incorporated into a school-based environment through a collaboration between members of the individualized education program (IEP) team, including physical educators.

By integrating Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences (MI theory) into health and wellness education, we can honor student uniqueness, promote inclusivity in the learning space, and increase the adoption of positive health behaviors. The MI theory proposes that every individual possesses unique strengths and weaknesses for learning that…

This article details the development of a physical activity curriculum used in an after-school program for youths. The program, Get Fit! With Math & Lit, employed culturally relevant pedagogies as its guiding framework and the Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility Model to structure its content. This multifaceted framework of the…

Taekwondo is one of the representative martial arts that originated in Korea. It offers many positive benefits, such as improving cardiovascular strength, balance, and flexibility. Teaching Taekwondo provides a unique experience for students to learn self-defense skills, culturally diverse activities, and life-long fitness. This article presents…

It is important that educators understand how to adapt their health education lessons to ensure they are inclusive of all students. This article provides six strategies for teaching health education to students with intellectual disabilities, both in the classroom and in physical education class, to improve their health literacy.

Thinking of physical education (PE) as "education through the physical" provides adequate opportunities for enhancing necessary life skills such as developing communication and cooperation strategies with peers and helping them set goals. To advocate life skills among students, social inclusion (SI) should be employed in different…

Students with visual impairments do not have the same opportunity to see the equipment, activity, field, court, or game play as their sighted peers. Therefore, pre-teaching--the exposure to the entire upcoming unit before it starts--is warranted in order better support their inclusion in every activity with their peers at the same pace.

Inclusion of students with disabilities in general physical education (GPE) is largely reliant on teachers' knowledge of disability and perceived competence to teach students with disabilities. The Paralympic School Day (PSD) is a field-tested educational model from the International Paralympic Committee consisting of activities that educate…

Creating school connectedness can enhance the overall development and academic progress for youth. The purpose of this article is to provide teachers with both a theoretical and applied understanding of how to develop and support school connectedness with students through recreation-based learning activities. The theoretical concepts grounded…

Weight stigma is the negative social judgment of people based on their weight. Despite the negative consequences of weight stigma, its prevalence is well-documented including within the physical activity (PA) landscape. Research shows that a wide range of PA-related professionals hold negative attitudes toward fat people, including physical…

This article discusses the importance of PE teacher embracement of AEAs, provides several specific practical examples for PE teachers looking to enhance AEA inclusion in their PE programs, and concludes with practical strategies to help overcome common PE teacher-cited barriers related to embracing AEAs.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the limitations of law interpretations and policy regulations as they pertain to inclusion and exclusion of people with physical disabilities in physical education. We believe interpretation of the law has professional implications that must be addressed. Specifically, the ideal and the reality of the laws…

Since online learning may be the best option for some programs or institutions, college instructors should have the competence and confidence to offer relevant learning experiences for their students in online learning environments. This article provides physical education teacher education (PETE) faculty with effective strategies for fostering an…

Implementation of the IDEA law is designed for schools to educate all students in the least restrictive environment. However, without the awareness and understanding of all educators involved, key components of the federal law could be sidestepped. Collaboration between general physical education (GPE) and adapted physical education (APE) teachers…

The 2013 Office of Civil Rights Memo on extracurricular athletics brought attention to the idea that individuals with disabilities have a right to consistent opportunities to participate in sports programs provided by schools across the country. This article examines the key points related to participation along a continuum of opportunities by…