A quick poll of how physical educators grade students would likely reveal that most grade on such things as participation and improvement. While this sounds acceptable, in practice, grading most often reflects a scheme based on attendance or seat time, with fitness and skill testing added at the conclusion of a unit. Physical educators who would…

This article describes factors that teachers can use to create a task-involving motivational climate, discusses behavioral practices for increasing student compliance, and provides specific recommendations for addressing behavior concerns in the physical education setting. A good teaching philosophy built upon established principles is the best…

Achievement goal theory (AGT) has shown great promise as a framework for developing motivational climates that positively influence student motivation (Nicholls, 1984, 1989). AGT was developed as researchers began to question how students measure their success in achievement settings such as sport or physical education (PE). The theory proposes…

Educators and researchers interested in responding to the demands of politicians and citizens to improve the American educational system have responded with the creation of national and, often, state standards across subject areas. Physical education teachers and researchers who recognize the importance of physical education, and as part of an…

This article describes a hybrid activities model that physical educators can use with students in grades four and above to create virtually a limitless array of novel games. A brief introduction to the basic theory is followed by descriptions of some hybrid games. Hybrid games are typically the result of merging two traditional sports or other…

While most child development experts acknowledge there is no universally agreed upon definition of children's play, there is general agreement that a lack of play, commonly known as "play deprivation" in play theories and research, can greatly stifle the child's normal healthy development. Therefore, the need for daily play experiences and daily…

In physical education, playful teaching practices are essential to relationship building and creating "connections" for successful group dynamics. Perhaps most importantly, playful teachers develop positive attitudes in their students and help students understand that learning can be fun and joyful. Playful teaching practices also greatly enhance…

In discussing the myth that technology has no benefit to the world of play, there seems to be little doubt that technology has made the task of assessing children's activity levels and identifying types of behaviors a simpler and more reliable process. There are three major approaches currently used to measure the amount of physical activity…

Most adults think of hopscotch strictly as the typical box pattern painted on asphalt playgrounds. It is also thought of as a game for groups of young girls. This article discusses modern hopscotch and its variations. It also discusses how teachers can create their own modernized hopscotch courses. In all variations of the new hopscotch, teachers…

Play involves unstructured activity that is freely entered into and intrinsically rewarding. When children engage in play there is little intentional learning. There are no lesson plans. There are no daily objectives or specific learning outcomes. Incidental learning can cause relatively permanent changes in the way one thinks; accidental learning…

This article deals with playthings and equipment that encourage child initiated play. Physical objects refer to concrete items within the play setting, such as balls, bats, craft supplies, playground equipment, musical instruments, and so forth. Social objects are other people, such as leaders, friends, teachers, and other participants. People are…

Spurred on by recent research findings, the popular press has been bombarding the country about the obesity crisis facing our nation. Issues surrounding the obesity problem for children include (a) a reduction of daily physical activity as a result of some schools eliminating recess and physical education; (b) the change in society from farming…

Playwork is a respected field of study composed of experts who have studied the theories and practices of play for the purposes of training other individuals in best practices to better facilitate children's play. The profession is founded on the belief that play is an essential childhood element and the right of every child. In this article, the…

This article talks about the Cognitive Recess Curriculum as a cognitive approach to elementary school recess. The concept of a cognitive recess curriculum is based on three research studies conducted by the author. The largest study involved over 1,564 educators (superintendents, principals, teachers K 12). It sought to determine the subjects'…

The purpose of the current study was to test the validity and reliability of a two-factor model of the Personal and Social Responsibility Questionnaire (PSRQ) and examine the relationships between perceptions of personal and social responsibility and intrinsic motivation in physical education. Participants were 253 middle school students who…