Health and Physical Education for Elementary Classroom Teachers. An Integrated Approach

Part I. Role of Health and Physical Education in the Classroom

Chapter 1. Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds
Defining Health in the 21st Century
History of Health in Culture
History of Health in the United States
U.S. Health in the 21st Century
Healthy Behaviors Begin in Childhood
Responsibility of Classroom Teachers
Chapter Wrap-Up

Chapter 2. Contextual Considerations of the Learner
Brain Development in Children and Adolescents
Physical Development and Health
Factors That May Affect Learning
Psychosocial Considerations for Changing Health Behavior
Chapter Wrap-Up

Chapter 3. A Coordinated Approach to Healthier Students
Unhealthy Habits
Federal Policies Designed to Improve Student Health
Need for Collaboration Between Education and Health
Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model
Applying the WSCC Model
Best Practices
Role of Teachers
Chapter Wrap-Up

Chapter 4. Health Education
Comprehensive School Health Education
Planning the Curriculum
Teaching Controversial Topics
Professional Development
Effective Teaching Methods
Developmental Strategies When Teaching
Assessment of Student Learning
Teaching Students With Chronic Conditions
Facilitators of Quality Health Education
Chapter Wrap-Up

Chapter 5. Physical Education
Defining Physical Activity
Defining Physical Education
Physical Education Curriculum Analysis Tool
Standard 1
Standard 2
Standard 3
Standard 4
Standard 5
Chapter Wrap-Up

Part II. How to Integrate Health and Physical Education Into the Classroom

Chapter 6. Creating a Healthy Classroom
Policies That Support Student Health
Physical Activity Policies
Classroom Practices That Promote Student Health
Classroom Health Throughout the Year
Dimensions of a Healthy Classroom
Back-to-School Supply List
Unhealthy Teaching Practices
Chapter Wrap-Up

Chapter 7. Creating an Active Classroom
Physical Activity Outside of Planned Academic Instruction
Physical Activity Integrated Into Planned Academic Instruction
Equipment Needs for an Active Classroom
Class Management and Organization
Inappropriate Practices
Safety
Class Behavior Management
Chapter Wrap-Up

Chapter 8. Integrating Health Education Into the Classroom
National Standards for Academic Performance
National Health Education Standards
Brainstorm Integration Ideas
Link Health Education Standards With Academic Standards
Develop Grade-Specific Interdisciplinary Activities
Develop an Integrated Activity Plan
Chapter Wrap-Up
Labs

Chapter 9. Integrating Physical Education Into the Classroom
National Standards for Academic Performance
National Standards for K-12 Physical Education
Brainstorm Integration Ideas
Link Physical Education Standards With Academic Standards
Develop Grade-Specific Interdisciplinary Activities
Develop an Integrated Activity Plan
Chapter Wrap-Up

Chapter 10. Advocating for a Healthy, Active School
Advocacy in the Classroom
Advocacy in the School
Advocacy for Parents and the Community
Advocacy Tips for Using a Media Source
Advocacy Tips for Policymakers and Administrators
Chapter Wrap-Up

Appendix A. National Health Education Standards
Appendix B. National Standards and Grade-Level Outcomes for K-12 Physical Education
Appendix C. Examples of Health Education Integrated Activity Plans
Appendix D. Examples of Physical Education Integrated Activity Plans

In elementary schools across the United States, many teachers tasked with teaching health education or physical education have not had training in these areas. Health and Physical Education for Elementary Classroom Teachers: An Integrated Approach, Second Edition, is the perfect resource for these educators. It covers both health and physical education while giving current and preservice teachers the skills to deliver appropriate lessons to their young students.

In this second edition, Retta Evans and Sandra Sims, respected educators and physical education advocates, provide everything teachers need in order to seamlessly incorporate health education and physical education into an integrated curriculum. Based on national health education, physical education, and state-specific academic standards, this is a guide that will help teachers empower elementary students to become healthy and active.

A new chapter dedicated to contextual considerations of the learner will guide teachers to better understand factors that may affect learning and give them ideas for changing students’ health behaviors.

The new edition’s ancillary products, offered through HKPropel, allow teachers to put concepts from the text into use with their students. Instructor ancillaries include the following:

• Sample syllabus
• Chapter resources, including an overview, outline, and review questions with answers
• Approximately 25 chapter questions, using various levels of Webb’s depth of knowledge framework, to help in creating quick assessments of student learning or in building custom tests
• Approximately 200 slides to reinforce key points

Also new to this edition are related student resources delivered through HKPropel, which include lab exercises that allow education students to practice the material they are learning and design their own standards-based lesson plans that integrate health and physical education. Learning activities and key terms with definitions align with each chapter in the text. The resources also include sample integrated activity plans for each of the five physical education standards and each of the eight health education standards.

Health and Physical Education for Elementary Classroom Teachers is organized into two parts. Part I focuses on the foundational knowledge needed for teaching health and physical education. It addresses risky behaviors relevant to today’s generation of students, the impact of children’s physical growth on learning and decision making, and the characteristics and benefits of a high-quality physical education program. It also includes the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model as a way to facilitate school-wide collaboration that connects education to wellness.

Part II emphasizes the strategies necessary for incorporating health, physical education, and physical activity into the curriculum and school day. It discusses how teachers can become advocates of healthy and active schools, identify habits that promote everyday health in the classroom, and incorporate physical activity and the national standards into each school day. It also presents teaching methods, assessment tools, and evaluation strategies to ensure teaching success.

Note: A code for accessing HKPropel is included with all new print books.

Retta R. Evans, PhD, MCHES, is a professor of health education in the School of Education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Evans has spent more than 20 years teaching and mentoring aspiring health educators at the undergraduate and graduate levels. During this time, she has also worked to improve health curricula and develop health initiatives in schools. She worked with the Alabama State Department of Education to revise the state standards for a course of study in health education, and she was part of a team that worked with school systems to implement comprehensive physical activity plans across Alabama. Dr. Evans received the Health Educator of the Year Award from the Alabama State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance as well as the College/University Health Education Professional of the Year Award from the Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Southern District. Dr. Evans conducts research focused primarily on schools and youth nutrition, physical activity, and obesity prevention.

Sandra K. Sims, PhD, associate professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, has more than two decades of experience as a public school teacher. Since 2005 she has taught physical education methods courses as well as a course for elementary classroom teachers that integrates physical education and health education into the classroom. Besides being named Physical Education Teacher of the Year for Alabama and the SHAPE America Southern District for two years, Sims was selected as Teacher of the Year for her school, school system, and school district. Dr. Sims was named the College/University Physical Educator of the Year by the Alabama State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and was chosen College/University Physical Educator of the Year in the SHAPE America Southern District. Dr. Sims’ research focuses on promoting quality physical education at all levels.