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…

Seven suggestions for interesting, effective dance instruction in elementary school are presented: (1) don't call it dance; (2) begin gradually; (3) start with a cooperative class; (4) use props; (5) use vigorous movements; (6) avoid "dance to the music"; and (7) progress from movement to imagery. (MJB)

This paper reviews and analyzes the term "exploration" as used with selected models associated with the instruction of children. (MT)

The author criticizes the lack of opportunity given to children to learn the motor patterns involved in handwriting and describes a sequence of chalkboard activities to promote the perceptual motor skills required. Illustrations of the sequence are provided. (CL)

Clogging is a rhythmic dance that children enjoy watching and doing. This article discusses the history of clogging and suggests eight basic steps to be used in the physical education class. Clogging resources are included. (DF)

Examines developmental differences of modeling and verbal rehearsal on children's performance of a sequential motor task. Results indicate that for facilitating motor skill acquisition in elementary school children verbal rehearsal strategies may be needed to supplement a visual model to help them selectively attend to relevant task components and…

A comprehensive model for organizing different approaches used in presenting dance movements focuses on the essential content of movement for elementary school children and examines the development of dance for young children from functional movement to more artistic experiences. (JN)

Teachers who communicate a clear intent to improve students' motor performance present tasks holistically, concretely, and briefly. Movement skills in a physical education lesson are developed primarily by presenting and working with tasks while students are actually moving. (JN)

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)

The movement concept approach to teaching elementary physical education provides challenges that require children to use all their resources to respond, enhancing total development through cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains. Worksheets can help teachers determine whether movement concepts are being learned and generalized to other…

Standard one of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education states students should demonstrate competency in many, and proficiency in some, movement forms. This article presents recommendations to help students achieve motor skill competency and proficiency, providing task progressions for elementary students and illustrating…

There are enormous differences in a child's ability to learn and perform movement skills. The mastery learning model matches student needs to quality and quantity of teaching. This article summarizes findings from mastery learning research in the cognitive domain and offers suggestions for applications of the mastery strategy. (DF)

Describes a program that gives the child a chance to assess himself and his future potential by recognizing and developing his own special abilities, needs, and interests through manipulative experiences. (Author)

The Orff Schulwerk Approach is an ordered framework in which children create speech, movement, and music as part of their daily learning processes. The approach entails movement training and movement forms, improvisation, dance, and music and language play. (JN)

Compares auditory/visual practice to visual/motor practice in spelling with seven elementary school learning-disabled students enrolled in a resource room setting. Finds that the auditory/visual practice was superior to the visual/motor practice on the weekly spelling performance for all seven students. (MG)