Health and Physical Education for Elementary Classroom Teachers

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.

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