Health and Physical Education for Elementary Classroom Teachers

Retta R. Evans, PhD, MCHES, is a professor of health education in the School of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. 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 was part of a team that worked with school systems to implement comprehensive physical activity plans across Alabama. 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 SHAPE America (formerly the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) Southern District. Evans conducts research focused primarily on schools and youth nutrition, physical activity, and obesity prevention. Sandra K. Sims, PhD, is a professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham with 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. 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. 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
School Connectedness
Bullying Prevention and Emergency Preparedness
Role of Teachers
Chapter Wrap-Up

Chapter 4. Health Education
Challenges in Health Education
Defining 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
Supply List for a Healthy Classroom
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
Flexible Seating in the Classroom
Class Organization and Management
Inappropriate Practices
Safety
Class Behavior Management
Chapter Wrap-Up
Labs

Chapter 8. Integrating Health Education Into the Classroom
National Standards for Academic Performance
National Health Education Standards
Step 1: Brainstorm Integration Ideas
Step 2: Link Health Education Standards With Academic Standards
Step 3: Develop Grade-Specific Interdisciplinary Activities
Step 4: Develop an Integrated Activity Plan
Chapter Wrap-Up
Labs

Chapter 9. Integrating Physical Education Into the Classroom
Standards for Academic Performance
National Standards for PreK-12 Physical Education
Step 1: Brainstorm Integration Ideas
Step 2: Link Physical Education Standards With Academic Standards
Step 3: Develop Grade-Specific Interdisciplinary Activities
Step 4: Develop an Integrated Activity Plan
Chapter Wrap-Up
Labs

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. Physical Education National Standards & Learning Indicators for PreK-5
Appendix C. Examples of Health Education Standards Integrated Activity Plans
Appendix D. Examples of Physical Education Standards Integrated Activity Plans