The purpose of this article is to provide educators with usable, nontraditional aquatic activities that can be adapted for swimmers and non-swimmers alike. Educators are oriented to a variety of aquatic techniques designed to challenge both health- and skill-related fitness components. By using a series of activity cards, the authors have blended…

The incorporation of a self-defense unit of study within secondary physical education programs is becoming commonplace in 21st-century curricula. The threat of crime to oneself, one's belongings, or one's home is very real and is a particular concern to youths, because teens and young adults experience the highest rates of crime as reported by the…

With adolescents becoming physically inactive as they age, one must think of other activities to teach during the middle and secondary years in physical education. One lifetime activity that physical education teachers could promote is bowling, an individual sport that could be taught in the gym or in a bowling alley. By using an instructional…

This article describes an exercise program for children. "Shapes for Kids," takes the same 30-minute approach at the Curves workout for women. The program is set up using 20 stations, which rotate upper-body work, abdominal exercises, lower-body work, and cardiovascular exercises. Some stations combine more than one component. Children change…

Analyzed the amount of activity, intensity of activity, and attitudes of participants in Czech high school physical education classes taught using different teaching styles and dance forms. Measurements of heart rate and dance intensity and student surveys indicated that teaching style and dance form significantly impacted the intensity and volume…

Examines the benefits of incorporating Tai Chi into the secondary and college curriculum to teach balance, discussing: the history and philosophical underpinnings of Tai Chi, principles of Tai Chi movement, health benefits, and teaching Tai Chi in public schools. Tips for instructors include: follow the principles of progression, follow a…

One way to encourage the development of critical thinking in physical education students is to incorporate sports fiction for young adults into the curriculum. This type of fiction can have a powerful effect on young people as they read about situations that they may have experienced or imagined. The article describes how to implement sports…

For high school athletes, the pressure increases each year to specialize and focus on their best sport, and if they do not, they risk being surpassed by other athletes who have focused on one sport. This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of sport specialization and looks at the rising danger of club sports for high school athletes.…

North Carolina high school physical education teachers and teacher educators have collaborated to implement the Physical Education Partnership for Sport Education (PEPSE), which recreates the learning environment with a focus on curricular revision and assessment. This article describes current conditions, the PEPSE project's solution, how the…

Examines the role that mentoring could have in helping female athletes become leaders in their sports through coaching, focusing on: women in coaching; the importance of mentoring potential female coaches; successful mentoring relationships for female coaches; and strategies for mentors. This type of collaboration may help reverse the ongoing…

Examines curricular and pedagogical issues relevant to stressed urban high school environments, proposing coping strategies for physical educators. The article summarizes issues affecting such environments, noting their influence on student participation; provides examples of important content and teaching decisions when working with urban…

Presents a success-management model for motivated learning which provides physical education teachers a framework for enhancing students' desire to work hard and maximize skill learning. The model's three phases are: basic instruction to help students begin learning skills; change in the motivational climate from task to ego orientation, with…

Documents how to plan and teach critical thinking skills within the framework of a 15-lesson wellness unit for secondary students, discussing theoretical rational and unit development and offering sample lesson plans, describing a four-step format for introducing thinking skills, which involves: introducing the skill, practicing the skill,…

Surveyed public and private high school principals nationwide to determine their opinions on the past accomplishments and professional experiences needed by interscholastic athletic directors to successfully carry out their duties. Results indicated that the two most important types of accomplishments were successfully working with others…

Discusses medical and pedagogical issues of concern to physical educators as they confront and respond to adolescent pregnancy in their schools, making recommendations for the role higher education can play in facilitating exercise programs for pregnant students and discussing an exercise program for pregnant adolescents that has served students…