EDITORIAL

FALL GREETINGS

Another summer over and fall is on its way. Hopefully, you took time this summer to get outside, enjoy nature, and be physically active. Sadly, for far too many young people, summer has become a time of inactivity. Now that students are back in your school it's a great time to reignite their enthusiasm for physical education.

This month pelinks4u features articles on ways to integrate cell phone use into PE instruction, promote your program, connect with your local community, and use music. We also conclude the series of podcasts we started in May. Entitled "Becoming a Coach," we introduce you to 3 more experienced coaches and their advice on coaching. This series of short podcasts is a great resource for those of you involved in training coaches. Our "Archives" page will link you to the previous podcasts.

Congratulations to those of you who successfully applied for a PEP Grant. In many parts of the country this is the time to renew your state AHPERD membership, and to plan attending your annual state conference. As I write this, I'm looking forward to the upcoming Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) conference in Las Vegas. After the disappointment of being unable to continue discussing PE 2020 in Boston, discussion will be continuing in Las Vegas. A report on PE 2020 and the PETE conference will appear in November's pelinks4u.

Looking further ahead, start thinking about attending the annual AAHPERD convention in Charlotte next spring. It's more financially doable if you start planning early. Finally, if you missed it, I wrote an article about AAHPERD's future in last month's pelinks4u.

Enjoy the fall and best wishes for an excellent new school year.

Steve Jefferies, publisher pelinks4u

Smartphone - in my classroom and gymnasium?
Should the physical educators allow or even encourage their students to bring cell phones to class? Because today' s "smartphones" are in effect minicomputers, there are many ways they can enhance instruction in physical education.

In this article, Martha Beagle introduces us to several health and physical activity smartphone applications. Learn more about apps to track calories and monitor diets, help teens quit smoking, use the GPS function to map an exercise route, design strength training routines, and more.

This is an exciting time for us to embrace technology to support student learning. Be part of it! (read)

Having Faith in Physical Education
Author John Kilbourne writes that, "Physical fitness and health are growing trends in houses of worship in the United States." In this article he explores the idea of physical educators going beyond the classroom and developing connections with surrounding faith communities.

John describes how Pastor Rick Warren has successfully inspired his church members to improve their health and physical fitness. John writes, "The future of physical education will depend on how we promote and practice our discipline, not only in our schools but in our communities." (read)

Music Therapy for Social, Behavioral, Physical Needs of Students with Disabilities
Most of us have likely used music in our classes, sometimes as background and sometimes purposefully. This month, Michelle Agudelo and Christine Stopka explain the use of "music therapy."

According to the American Music Therapy Association, "the idea of music as a healing influence which could affect health and behavior is at least as old as the writings of Aristotle and Plato." Today, music therapy is widely and effectively being used in physical and occupational therapy.

Learn more about the possible ways that music can affect the brain and behavior, and connections with physical activity. (read)

Organize a PE Kick-Off Showcase to Promote Your Physical Education Program
One of the initiatives proposed in PE 2020 suggested that we should do more to develop connections between physical education and the communities we serve. In this article, authors Brent Bradford, Ashleigh Evaniew, and Clive Hickson describe how to organize a beginning of the year school-wide PE Showcase.

Among the many benefits are opportunities to highlight the contents of your program, connect with school staff, parents, and students, and create an atmosphere for healthy and active living. Includes suggestions for activities and a follow-up evaluation. (read)

Steps to Successful PE Promotion Efforts
PE program promotion is almost certainly one of the most neglected activities in our profession. It's not surprising, because for most of us it's not our area of expertise nor is it particularly interesting! But letting teaching colleagues, administrators, school board members, parents, and students know what you are doing is vital in this era of program and position cuts.

It's naive to assume that others will appreciate your work if you don't highlight and publicize it. Author Martin Donohue summarizes a 6-step promotional approach described in more detail in the book Seminar in Physical Education: From Student Teaching to Teaching Students. (read)

Reference correction
Lynn, S., Castelli, D., Werner, P., & Cone, S. (2007). Seminar in physical education: From student teaching to teaching students. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Being Diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
More commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS results from a degrading of the motor nerve cells in the brain, which leads to a weakening of the muscles. The possibility of contracting ALS increases with age, and is more common in men.

In this article, Melissa Ortiz explains more about the disease, its symptoms, and treatment. Although not presently curable, in addition to drug treatment certain types of physical exercise can help to keep muscles stretched and working. (read)