Physical education helps students develop the knowledge, fitness levels, motor skills, and personal and social skills to obtain the ultimate goal of a lifetime of physical activity and health. All children, from pre-kindergarten through grade 12, should participate in quality physical education classes every school day. A quality physical education program should include curriculum aligned instruction and assessment and an opportunity for all to learn.
Interim Physical Education Consultant: Deb Berkey (517) 335-4998 smitha24@michigan.gov
• Michigan Public Pool Safety Guidelines for Schools The guidelines were created to help clarify pool safety requirements for schools. Topics addressed in this document include lifeguard requirements, safety equipment, and poolside safety.
• Every Body Is Good Curriculum (EBIG) Every Body Is Good Curriculum (EBIG) is a set of lessons designed for use by any teacher to promote healthy weight and a positive body image in students. There are a total of 18 lessons for grades K-12. The lessons are free and available for download at http://www.emc.cmich.edu/EBIG or you may contact Ann-Marie Smith at (517) 335-4998 or smitha24@michigan.gov to request a copy.
• It's Time to Move! Michigan Model for Comprehensive School Health Curriculum's module on physical activity for grades 7-8.
• Stay Physically Active for Life! Michigan Model for Comprehensive School Health Curriculum's module on physical activity for grades 9-12.
• Exemplary Physical Education Curriculum (EPEC) The Exemplary Physical Education Curriculum (EPEC) is a standards-based curriculum that promotes the teaching of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will enable children to be active for life. EPEC is build around NASPE's content standards. For more information go to the Michigan Fitness Foundation website.
• President's Challenge The Physical Fitness Program helps assess the current fitness level of youth ages 6-17 and includes five events that measure muscular strength/endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, speed, agility, and flexibility.
• FitnessGram FitnessGram is an assessment using criterion-referenced standards to measure three components of health-related fitness: aerobic capacity, body composition, and muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility.
• It's Time for Your School's Physical Education Checkup: How Are You Doing? This new school year, NASPE urges principals, teachers, and parents to conduct an assessment of their school's physical education program--evaluate its strengths and weakensses and then encourage a plan for improvement where needed.
• NASPE Physical Education Teacher Evaluation Tool The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) developed the Physical Education Teacher Evaluation Tool which identifies the knowledge, skills, and behaviors needed to provide sound instruction in the K-12 physical education classroom. The tool was created to assist principals, school district curriculum specialists, and those who evaluate physical education teachers. It may also be used to guide physical education teachers in reflection and self-assessment and serve as an educational tool in college/university physical education teacher preparation programs.
• Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health, and Sports Exemplary Physical Education Awards The Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health, and Sports and the Michigan Fitness Foundation provide awards to recognize school districts, individual teachers, or buildings that demonstrate their commitment to high-quality physical education by taking exemplary actions and demonstrating exemplary results in terms of student achievement.
• National Association for Sport and Physical Education STARS Award Program The STARS project identifies and recognizes quality physical education programs that exemplify excellence in teaching knowledge and skills of motor development and health related fitness and providing meaningful learning opportunities for all students.
• Obesity Fact Sheets These fact sheets contain results from weighted Youth Risk behavior Survey (YRBS) and School Health Profiles data related to obesity among youth.
• Physical Education Listserv Join the Michigan Department of Education's Physical Education listserv to receive quarterly updates on physical education.
• Body Mass Index In children and teens, body mass index is used to assess underweight, overweight, and risk for overweight.
• US Obesity Trends 1985-2000 National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Information
• Exemplary Physical Education Curriculum (EPEC) The Exemplary Physical Education Curriculum (EPEC) is a standards-based curriculum that promotes the teaching of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will enable children to be active for life. EPEC is build around NASPE's content standards. For more information go to the Michigan Fitness Foundation website.
• Physical Activity Page A physical activity web page has been added to the Michigan Department of Education's Coordinated School Health web site. You will find resources on physical activity during the school day, recess, before and after school activities, and staff wellness.
• Sports Media Sports Media is an interactive physical education tool developed and maintained by an international association of university professors and teachers.