Site Search
home | naspe forum | submit | pe store | calendar | contact   
  June/July 2013, Volume 15 Number 6
pelinks4u sponsors 

ATHLETIC STUFF

COASTAL ENTERPRISES

CTRL WASH UNIVERSITY

EVERLAST CLIMBING INDUSTRIES

GOPHER

NASCO

NEW LIFESTYLES

PHI EPSILON KAPPA

SPEED STACKS

TOLEDO PE SUPPLY


articles 


The NEW Physical Education: Promoting Healthy & Active Lifestyles DVD For teacher inservice workshops and professional preparation, $20 ( was $30)


National PE Standards Clipboards - Special Promotion!
Unbreakable aluminum clipboards for lesson plans, notes, etc. Now $8 dollars (were $10)

Watch Video

media review

contact us 
pelinks@pelinks4u.org
Phone: 509-963-2384
Fax 509-963-1989  
 
visit sponsors
Speed Stacks
Digiwalker
Toledo  PE Supply
Phi Epsilon Kappa

newsletter

Receive a FREE monthly emailed newsletter from pelinks4u, and an update of the latest pe news.

Enter your email address below, then click 'submit.'



EDITORIAL

Physical Education: Nothing Lasts Forever

Last month, I suggested that the newly created Let's Move, Active Schools initiative offered physical educators a special, necessary, but time-limited chance to transform K-12 physical education. I'm optimistic that some teachers will respond to this challenge, but concerned that for far too many business will continue as usual. It worries me when colleagues assume that physical education's future in public education is somehow guaranteed. It isn't. Ask any of the dozens of teachers around the country whose programs and positions have been cut in the past few years.

Like most of us, those teachers assumed their jobs were secure until suddenly, and often with little warning, they found themselves victims of the current obsession to raise academic scores, or victims of budget cuts resulting from the economic recession. Too late and without much support they protested their relevance. Instead, they discovered that many education decision-makers neither appreciated nor valued physical education's contribution to children's education. Like switchboard operators, typists, milkmen, travel agents, elevator operators, and others in vanishing professions, these unfortunate physical educators learned that nothing lasts forever.

Physical educators are forever destined to be the victims of the decision-making whims of others unless we show more initiative in shaping our professional future. It was this desire that motivated the creators of NASPE's PE2020 initiative that began in 2011 with a national forum at the San Diego national AAHPERD Convention. The resulting recommendations proposed a framework for futuristic thinking. Since then, some of the suggestions have contributed to a rethinking about where physical education should be headed.

A persistent problem, however, is that most of us are only happy to discuss change when others have to do the changing. We're much less enthusiastic about changing what we do ourselves. Rather than becoming the change we want to see, it's easier to become obstacles in the path of those trying to move the profession forwards. Whether or not Let's Move, Active Schools succeeds will be testimony to our professional adaptability. The consequences of failure could be serious. If we allow others to become responsible for promoting school-wide physical activity, it's quite possible that before 2020 many more physical education teachers could find themselves replaced.

Great deals on PE Uniforms for next year. Visit Coastal Enterprises!

At the recent Charlotte AAHPERD Convention, invited presenters shared their personal perspectives on the five areas of focus in the earlier PE2020 recommendations. Some of the slide shows and presentation notes are posted on the convention website. Videos of the presentations will be added once edited.

For those in attendance, it was an interesting glimpse into future possibilities. It was also exciting to hear and see examples from around the country of new and innovative approaches to teaching physical education. But what especially struck me was the importance for all of us to accept our personal responsibility for this journey. It's both unrealistic and naive to think that NASPE, AAHPERD, a state organization, or anyone else will take care of us. They won't, and indeed they can't.

Each of us faces unique circumstances, challenges, and opportunities that we need to respond to if we want to avoid uncertain consequences. Some things about the future are certainly unpredictable, but not everything. A lot we do know.

Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a meeting of state stakeholders sponsored by the Michigan Fitness Foundation. Gathered together in the Governor's Mansion in Lansing, discussion focused on planning a roadmap forward for physical education and physical literacy in Michigan. Participants heard about trends likely to impact public school physical education in the next 20 or so years, then imagined how they would like physical education to look.

This strategy typically referred to, as "scenario planning," is common among business and government groups motivated to prepare themselves for successful futures. By creating a rich narrative of how physical education would ideally look many years ahead, it becomes easier to set and target the "steps-to-success" together with a realistic timeline and measurable outcomes.

Thinking about physical education's future is more important today than ever before. We are immersed in an era of rapid change. America's dominance as a world leader is less assured as the global economy expands and developing nations compete with us for business and influence. Medical, scientific, and technological innovations are occurring at breakneck speed.

Preparing our children with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the future is heightening pressures on public education and school administrators. Instead of simply wondering what physical education will look like in the future, a question we might ponder is whether physical education has a future in public education, and if so what it will look like.

Although it may be true that nothing lasts forever, for the time being the future of physical education depends on each of us and what we do today.

Steve Jefferies, publisher pelinks4u

Featured pelinks4u Articles
Summer: The Ultimate Planning Period
Use time this upcoming summer to think creatively about ways to improve and perhaps better showcase your PE program. Here are some ideas to consider.
Written by Steve Shelton and Jon Poole.
Getting Ready for the New School Year
Physical education is the truest social environment - other than lunch – in our public schools. It is the one place where effective teaching can improve both physical and emotional health. Read some thought-provoking issues teachers need to address to positively impact student learning.
Written by Isobel Kleinman.
Summer Activities
Somewhat surprisingly, children’s physical activity often decreases during summer. Learn how Health and Physical Education Teachers can help their students be more active and healthy during the summer.
Written by Martin Donahue
.
Psychological Skills Training: Staying on the Ball Drill
Continuing our Psychological Skills Training series learn a concentration drill that combines with Relaxation and Breathing Easy (to help athletes concentrate. A handout for athletes to use when practicing at home is provided.
Written by Christine Lottes
.

Leadership in Coaching Part Two: Teaching Fundamentals
Continuing our three part series, Leadership in Coaching, three things are always evident in successful programs: (1) organization, (2) the teaching of fundamentals, and (3) discipline. Learn more about the importance of teaching fundamentals.
Written by Ed Fry.
Coaching: Finding a Mentor
Many of today’s outstanding coaches will tell you that some of their best learning experiences occurred under the guidance of a knowledgeable and inspirational mentor. Learn more about the characteristics of great mentors.
Written by Pete Van Mullem.
Strokes: Definition, Recognition, & Adapted Physical Activity Ideas
It’s estimated that every 45 seconds somewhere in the US someone suffers from a stroke. Learn more about the anatomy of strokes, their effect on the body, and ways in which physical activity can help the process of rehabilitation.
Written by Stephanie Davis.

NEWS
  • PHYSICAL EDUCATION, PLAY, & SPORTS
  • TED Talks Education: Sir Ken Robinson mentions value of PE.
  • The rise and fall of physical education in schools.
  • Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs: Helping All Students Achieve 60 Minutes of Physical Activity Each Day. Your feedback invited on new position statement.
  • PETE Standards Revision Committee is seeking input on the current (2008) standards for Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) programs.
  • Physical education classes reduce probability of obesity.
  • Gym Class Isn't Just Fun and Games Anymore (read comments, also). What do YOU think? (scroll down page)
  • "It was 20 Years Ago Today"
  • Bring back PE: Exercise should be 'core' class, report says.
  • Tom Winiecki named the 2013 NFL Network Physical Education Teacher of the Year.
  • More time in physical education equals stronger kids.
  • Students split on Illinois school's divided PE curriculum. Alternative story.
  • Frisco, Texas eighth graders become teachers' wellness coaches with big results.
  • Exercise, nutrition take center stage at Baltimore school.
  • Elementary schools in Pinellas County, Florida consider cutting back on PE classes to increase class time.
  • Maryland PE teachers say lack of instruction time hurts students in the future.
  • NAKHE announces Collaborative Congress for January 8-12 2014 in San Diego. Scott Kretchmar keynote speaker in New York school - PE class isn't that important; academics are.
  • Lafayette (LA) schools facing budget crunch may cut PE time.
  • PE teacher creates anti-bullying program.
  • Rochester, NY school board plans to expand school sports and increase PE.
  • Making kids play team sports in PE is neither healthy nor educational.
  • Nampa, ID School District looking at cutting PE jobs.
  • Physical activity vs. PE: What's the difference?
  • Submit a presentation proposal for the 2014 American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance National Convention & Expo. June 17 deadline.
  • Great deals on PE Uniforms for next year.
  • The "cost" of participating in youth sports.
  • P.E. credit for marching band?
  • Team sport can help kids get better grades.
  • Lessons of Title IX go beyond the U.S.
  • House bill would force HHS to prescribe exercise guidelines ‘for all Americans.
  • The rise and fall of physical education in schools.
  • PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, NUTRITION, & OBESITY
  • The March to Stop Monsanto: Taking Back Our Food, Our Farms, Our Democracy and Our Planet. Also, check out these news articles.
  • Wisconsin state Superintendent says power of physical activity is important.
  • Workshop uses 'Brain breaks' to combat child obesity.
  • In California only 1-in-3 kids pass all parts of physical fitness test.
  • Prancercise: New eccentric fitness routine mimics dancing like a horse. (video; watch!)
  • Musical message for children on healthy eating.
  • Creating Positive Health: It's More Than Risk Reduction.
  • Epidemic of physical inactivity weighs U.S. down.
  • New study, same idea: Schools can't solve youth physical inactivity challenge.
  • Physical activity shown to help teens stop smoking.
  • When you're young, fitness is sport. As you age, it's necessity, says T. Boone Pickens
  • Study recommends using active videogaming, exergaming, to improve children’s health.
  • Aging gracefully through exercise.
  • Walking 10,000 steps a day can make you fit.
  • Mother's obesity during pregnancy spikes baby's risk of stroke, heart attack later on: Quebec study.
  • Overweight People Are More Apt To Ditch Doctors.
  • Obesity risk for C-section babies: 84% more likely to be overweight than children born naturally.
  • Five daily cups of coffee may lead to obesity.
  • Learn from my daughter's eating disorder.
  • Mediterranean diet is brain food.
  • High Blood Pressure Associated With Declining Brain Functioning.
  • American Fitness Index 2013: Fittest Cities.
  • Park District Signs Remind Parents 'It's Just a Game'
  • GRANTS
  • State and Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention Grants.
  • Check out the free SPARK Grant Finder.
  • PE4life/Speed Stacks Sport Pack Grant Program. Speed Stacks wants to help instructors motivated to offer a full-fledged Sport Stacking program but who lack funding. The Sport Pack Grant Program can equip you with all you need to provide your students with a unique and fun Sport Stacking experience. To apply, go to www.speedstacks.com and download the grant application.
  • Active Schools Acceleration Project announces Acceleration Grants, Deadline April 22.
  • DonorsChoose.org is a non-profit website that matches benevolent donors to PE Program needs.
  • ING Run For Something Better grant program now open.
  • NASPE grants page offers database and links.
       
pelinks4u is a non-profit program of Central Washington University dedicated to promoting active and healthy lifestyles
Copyright © 1999-2013 | pelinks4u   All Rights Reserved