In an earlier issue of "TEPE" (January, 2005) the "Research to Practice" column examined the effects of a developmental curriculum on elementary-aged children's performance. Pappa, Evanggelinou, and Karabourniotis (2005) found support for a line of research suggesting that curricular programming should place a specific focus on development of…

Presents a series of progressive activities intended to demonstrate to teachers how to incorporate four pedagogical principles (sampling, representation, exaggeration, and tactical complexity) in developing net/wall games and activities that enhance student learning within a teaching games for understanding framework. These principles enable…

Uses various games and sports to illustrate how to develop key net/wall game concepts. This multi-activity approach assumes that transfer of learning across a range of activities can be achieved among most students through teachers' explicit direct analogies within the net/wall game category. The article notes that teachers must remember that…

Summarizes how a series of articles use a range of perspectives to present developmentally appropriate content progressions, pedagogically sound practices, and assessments that have the potential to strengthen the way elementary teachers implement net/wall games, focusing on: common features for modifying net/wall games for elementary children;…

Discusses how to teach aerobic fitness concepts to elementary students. Some of the K-2 activities include location, size, and purpose of the heart and lungs; the exercise pulse; respiration rate; and activities to measure aerobic endurance. Some of the 3-6 activities include: definition of aerobic endurance; heart disease risk factors;…

Presents various instructional techniques and examples of dances teachers can use to accommodate and integrate students with ambulatory disabilities, reviewing basic inclusion principles as they relate to dance and providing a suggested progression for teaching dance when including children with ambulatory disabilities. The article illustrates…

Defines pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), summarizing relevant research. The paper describes how teachers can develop rich PCK, focusing on three comprehensive teaching models that can be used to enhance teachers' PCK (sport education, a tactical games approach, and ecological task analysis). The paper concludes by highlighting strategies for…

Describes how to teach rock climbing to elementary school students using balance dome cones, which are small, cylindrical- shaped cones that are rounded at the top, seven inches in diameter, and four inches high. Students step on the cones as they explore and discover their balance limits in various unnatural movement positions. Individual and…

Presents a checklist for monitoring middle school students' behavior during athletics. The checklist highlights: sportsmanship (e.g., playing by the rules, being a good loser, and playing fair); respect (refraining from fighting, avoiding alcohol and other drugs, and shaking hands with opponents); and teamwork (practicing hard, not embarrassing…

A well-designed physical education program can offer opportunities for students to practice and improve language arts skills. This article presents approaches for collaborating with other teachers; ongoing strategies for use in the physical education classroom; integrated activities that incorporate language arts and physical education; and…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act protects students' rights to equal physical education (PE). Most parents, physicians, educators, and administrators do not realize the importance of PE for disabled children nor students' legal rights. This paper examines the current problem and discusses possible solutions (e.g., become familiar…

Describes the experience of one developmental reading class instructor in using articles from current event publications to foster problem solving, synthesis and analysis, and perspective-taking. Discusses the assignments given to the students and the process used for evaluating student work. Includes a six-step demonstration of study strategies.…

Discusses a common misunderstanding demonstrated by many students in basic mathematics courses: not knowing how to properly "cancel" factors in simplifying mathematical equations. Asserts that "crossing-out" or "canceling" is not a valid mathematical operation, and that instructors should be wary about using these terms because of the ease with…

Details strategies for applying writing research and theories to the college basic writing classroom. Encourages instruction focusing on the complete writing process and on meaning rather than linguistic structure. Offers guidelines for creating a process-centered classroom and holding effective writing conferences with students. (PAA)

Findings from a study indicate that cooperating teachers in physical education can improve their supervisory function through training in a behavioral model of supervision. The self-instructional training package has three performance objectives: monitoring, conferencing, and follow-up monitoring. Emphasis is on improved feedback to, and…