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QUALITY PHYSICAL EDUCATION ADVOCACY
EFFECTIVE TEACHING STRATEGIES
TEACHing tools and RESOURCES
Coalition for Quality Physical Education
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Unfortunately more than half of all people in the United States lead sedentary lifestyles, even when the positive effects of regular physical activity are so clear and abundant. We know that exercise can help prevent and/or treat heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, certain types of cancer, anxiety, depression, ADHD, stress, obesity, hormonal issues, dementia, addiction, improve your mood, and more. We also know that exercise grows brain cells and improves synaptic connections, and as a result it enhances learning, and slows down brain deterioration as we age. And with the COVID 19 pandemic, aside from generally improving our immune system, it has become clear that being physically fit and active helps us fight dangerous viruses by preventing many of the underlying conditions that lead to premature virus-related deaths.
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So why are half of us not participating in physical activity regularly? A few key factors seem to determine if we are going to be active or not. They include COMPETENCE, CONFIDENCE, and ENJOYMENT. People tend to find time for the things they enjoy, and they are more likely to enjoy something for which they have skills and confidence. Quality physical education focuses on these three factors, helping students learn the physical, cognitive, social and emotional skills needed to become competent and confident movers who participate regularly in physical activity. In other words they become physically literate.
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It Takes a Village - Stone Soup Fable
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Coalition's Vision
Coalition's Mission
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We will all benefit from a more fit and healthy population. Aside from the overall improvement in health and wellness, -health-care costs go down, workers become more productive, and students learn better. Physical Activity (PA) is a tool that all children should learn how to use to boost the quality of their lives. Companies who profit from physically active people (sports/exercise equipment, clothing, shoes, apparel, fitness technology, obstacle course races, etc.) might consider the long-term investment of supporting the existing infrastructure that is school-based physical education. When it is done right, it “produces” young adults who are physically literate, and have a desire and a plan to be active for the rest of their lives. More active people = more sales of PA related goods and services.
We believe physical education is the logical place to focus the efforts to increase PA. With the right kind of advocacy parents and administrators will see the importance in helping more and more programs become quality and standards-based, and support the physical education teachers who are trying to make a difference despite often lacking resources and facilities, and teaching class sizes that are too large.
We are inviting individuals as well as private industry and non-profit groups to join us in our mission:
We believe physical education is the logical place to focus the efforts to increase PA. With the right kind of advocacy parents and administrators will see the importance in helping more and more programs become quality and standards-based, and support the physical education teachers who are trying to make a difference despite often lacking resources and facilities, and teaching class sizes that are too large.
We are inviting individuals as well as private industry and non-profit groups to join us in our mission:
- To promote the National Standards and Grade Level Outcomes in order to help all children achieve physical literacy so they can be active for life.
- To advocate the importance of quality, standards-based physical education to parents, school boards, administrators, and policy makers.
- To support teachers and future professionals who are committed to this mission by providing or facilitating no cost access to quality resources, curriculum, professional development, conference fees, equipment, and more.
Join the Coalition for Quality Physical Education to support our mission by taking the appropriate pledge below.
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Join the Coalition
If you believe you have a way for us to spread the word about Quality Physical Education to parents, administrators, and elected officials, and/or you can help us with financial support for our work, please email us at supportREALteachers@gmail.com.
Your charge is to “walk the walk” by teaching and/or supporting Quality Physical Education (QPE), and to spread the word about its importance every chance you get. Educate people who do not know that we are a research-based academic subject with standards and grade level outcomes. Be ready to explain what QPE is and how it is different from Physical Activity. Spread the word about how QPE leads to physical literacy, enhanced mental and physical health, as well as brain function and learning. See our advocacy pages for all the information and resources you need. If you would like to contribute in other ways, please email us at supportREALteachers@gmail.com.
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Your charge is to “walk the walk” by teaching and/or supporting Quality Physical Education (QPE), and to spread the word about its importance every chance you get. Educate people who do not know that we are a research-based academic subject with standards and grade level outcomes. Be ready to explain what QPE is and how it is different from Physical Activity. Spread the word about how QPE leads to physical literacy, enhanced mental and physical health, as well as brain function and learning. See our advocacy pages for all the information and resources you need. If you would like to contribute in other ways, please email us at supportREALteachers@gmail.com.
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Your charge is to spread the word about the importance of Quality Physical Education (QPE) every chance you get. Educate people who do not know that we are a research-based academic subject with standards and grade level outcomes. Become familiar the benefits of Physical Activity (PA), and be ready to explain what QPE is, how it is different from PA and possibly from your own PE experiences, and how QPE leads to physical literacy. See our advocacy pages for all the information and resources you need. If you would like to contribute in other ways, please email us at supportREALteachers@gmail.com.
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Your charge is to spread the word about the importance of Quality Physical Education (QPE) every chance you get. Educate people who do not know that we are a research-based academic subject with standards and grade level outcomes. Become familiar the benefits of Physical Activity (PA), and be ready to explain what QPE is, how it is different from PA and possibly from your own PE experiences, and how QPE leads to physical literacy. See our advocacy pages for all the information and resources you need. If you would like to contribute in other ways, please email us at supportREALteachers@gmail.com.
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Your charge is to spread the word about the importance of Quality Physical Education (QPE) every chance you get. Educate people who do not know that we are a research-based academic subject with standards and grade level outcomes. Become familiar the benefits of Physical Activity (PA), and be ready to explain what QPE is, how it is different from PA and possibly from your own PE experiences, and how QPE leads to physical literacy. See our advocacy pages for all the information and resources you need. If you would like to contribute in other ways, please email us at supportREALteachers@gmail.com.
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Coalition project: Spartan kids and SPARK #BEUNBREAKABLE challenge
- Who: Students (Elementary and Secondary) + we encourage family members to join in the fun!
- What: Spartan Kids #BEUNBREAKABLE Challenge Activity Sessions: All activities are designed to be done indoors or outdoors and only with family members who are known to be healthy. We encourage responsibility – participate in activities that are suitable for you and your family considering all guidelines and recommendations of the CDC. More information can be found here.
- Where: View sessions at home (indoors and/or outdoors). Internet access required.
- When: 10-week challenge starting Tuesday, April 7 and ending Friday, June 12. Sessions will be posted each week at 12:00 p.m. ET: Elementary sessions posted on Tuesdays and Thursdays; Secondary sessions posted on Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Why: To support students accepting the challenge to be lifelong learners – advocating for their own health and wellness beyond school.
- How: To view the sessions, you can either join Spartan Kids Public Facebook Group or view SPARK’s YouTube Video Library.
COALITION PROJECT: K-12 SPARTAN OBSTACLE COURSE CURRICULUM
Adventure racing is an exciting sport, unlike any other. It might be defined as a team obstacle course race. While previously seen as extreme, adventure races have changed over the years. What used to take expensive equipment like kayaks and bicycles, as well as a whole lot of training time, has morphed into super fun runs that require less specialized training where you use your fitness and wits to complete a variety of obstacles. It is an opportunity for activity that is accessible to both students and adults.
The races below are examples of Adventure Racing CORE (Cooperative Obstacle Racing Experiences) for physical education created by 2019 National High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year Dan DeJager. It is a lesson format where students work on grit, perseverance, cooperation, and many other social skills. Many students find it a more enjoyable alternative to the traditional mile run, even though they cover the same distance and more! These races are great fitness activities, allow the teacher to conduct informal assessments, and can be designed for a number of purposes: practice psychomotor skills, practice problem solving, and/or incorporating cross-disciplinary content. Find more information in the book Adventure Racing Activities for Fun and Fitness by Dan DeJager and Cathrine Himberg, and see these other example adventure races: "20 Questions" & "Brain & Body Blast."
The races below are examples of Adventure Racing CORE (Cooperative Obstacle Racing Experiences) for physical education created by 2019 National High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year Dan DeJager. It is a lesson format where students work on grit, perseverance, cooperation, and many other social skills. Many students find it a more enjoyable alternative to the traditional mile run, even though they cover the same distance and more! These races are great fitness activities, allow the teacher to conduct informal assessments, and can be designed for a number of purposes: practice psychomotor skills, practice problem solving, and/or incorporating cross-disciplinary content. Find more information in the book Adventure Racing Activities for Fun and Fitness by Dan DeJager and Cathrine Himberg, and see these other example adventure races: "20 Questions" & "Brain & Body Blast."
SHAPE America Grade Level Outcome S3.H6.L2:
Creates a plan, trains for and participates in a community event with a focus on physical activity (e.g., 5K, triathlon, tournament, dance performance, cycling event
Creates a plan, trains for and participates in a community event with a focus on physical activity (e.g., 5K, triathlon, tournament, dance performance, cycling event
COALITION PROJECT: SPARTAN RACE FUNDRAISING PROGRAM FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATORS (TBD DUE TO PANDEMIC)
We had planned to launch a new fundraising program for physical educators at the 2020 SHAPE America conference. The goal was to raise money for individual teachers to use for professional development, curriculum, and/or equipment needs. Due to the pandemic, this program is now on hold until further notice. We will share details as soon as possible.
Coalition Project: SPARTAN RACE FOR EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME AWARENESS (and physical education)