FUTURE PHYS. ED. TEACHER: I am currently a Junior Physical Education Major at Slippery Rock and I just took a class called Adapted Physical Activity. We had to work with students who have intellectual disabilites such as autism from age 8 to 15. I never really thought about having a student with disabilities, and thinking about it kind of overwhelms me. If I do encounter a student with disabilites I want to be able to include him in all of our classes because exclusion is not an option for my teaching style. Is there any hints or tips from teachers that have students with disabilites now? How can I include them in with the rest of the class in team sports such as basketball or soccer? Thanks to all that leave posts. Please share in the forum.   2 PERSON ACTIVITIES: I am involved in a volunteer mentoring program that works with children that have special needs. In my case I am working one on one with an 11 year old boy with autism and ADHD. I was looking for suggestions on activities I could do with him that are physically engaging and require only 2 people. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Please share in the forum.   ROLLING OUT THE BALL: I am currently a Junior Phys. Ed. Major at Slippery Rock University and everytime somebody asks me what my major is I tell them Health and Physical Education, and I feel like they look down on me after I say that, as if Physical Education is the easy way out and is a joke. I do beleive that Physical Education at one time was a joke, like when the teachers would just roll out a ball and tell them to play basketball or dodgeball, but people do not realize that Physical Education is growing and expanding today. What are some of the ways that i can defend Phys. Ed.? How do I explain that is more than just "Gym" class today? Please share in the forum.   PE = LACK OF INTELLIGENCE?: While talking to one of my best friends from high school, she asked me if I was enjoying school. I told her of course I was having blast, and learning a ton of new things in my PE majors classes. Her response to me surprised me when she said, "That's great, but I always thought that you would be something important. You are so smart." Needless to say I was very offended but understood at the same time. Even today PE as a profession is not taken very seriously. Apparently only those with a lack of intelligence, and motivation to push themselves to be anything better, are the ones that become PE instructors. Not so I say. I have big plans for my future as a PE teacher and I have/am learning from some of the most intelligent people I have met. My hope is that our profession will be held in a more positive light in the near future. Not everybody rolls out the ball and says play kick ball every day. There are quality knowledge teachers among us just as important as any other profession. Please share in the forum.   TITLE IX: Title IX was established in 1972 and is a law that states that all persons are to receive equal opportunity to participate in federally funded activities. The underlining message, states that all men and women are to receive equal opportunities. Do you think Title IX has helped or hindered individuals' ability to participate and receive equal opportunities? Please share in the forum.   COACHES CROSSING THE LINE: We all know that in schools teachers cannot lay a hand on a student. However, when it comes to coaching, some athletes need to be placed into proper positioning via a coach moving and touching them. How can a coach do this without a liability issue? Please share in the forum.   PACER TEST VS MILE RUN: I think it is better to do the pacer test in elementary school rather than the mile because it keeps them active and they won't wear themselves out after the first lap around the track, because they don't have to run as far at one time. Please share in the forum.   PACER TEST VS MILE RUN: I think it is better to do the pacer test in elementary school rather than the mile because it keeps them active and they won't wear themselves out after the first lap around the track, because they don't have to run as far at one time. Please share in the forum.   GUILTY ABOUT GRADES: I have been a teacher for 13 years, but I just started in a public school 2 years ago. This is the first time I have had to do grading. It is a struggle for me. I feel discontent about our grade categories but I am not sure what the answer is. We grade on participation, attire, sportsmanship, and skill. The worst for me is the skill category. I feel guilty giving anything less than an Outstanding because I feel that physical education is a place where every student should be able to experience success and have positive feelings. If you are reading this post and you feel like your district has effective elementary grading policies and categories- please give me some ideas. Before you know it, grades will be due again and here comes that guilty feeling! Please share in the forum.   REFUSAL TO PARTICIPATE IN PE: I was wondering if anyone has any ideas or strategies in dealing with students who refuse to participate in P.E. even after you have sent them to the office or called home. Any thoughts? Please share in the forum.