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#AdaptedPE Newsletter 11 (Week of 10/21/2024)

Matt Barker (Digit the APE)
Matt Barker (Digit the APE)
10 Min Read

Welcome to the Adapted PE Newsletter! This weekly resource is designed to inspire and equip you with innovative teaching strategies, practical tools, and the latest trends in adapted physical education. By subscribing, you’ll gain access to curated content that makes your work easier, from engaging activities to equipment recommendations and professional development opportunities. Whether you’re looking for new ideas or ways to enhance your students’ experiences, this newsletter will keep you informed, motivated, and ready to make a positive impact.

Contents
Teacher Spotlight: Kendyl NowelsAdapted PE NewsAssistive Technology Presentaion at SHAPE PA!Bring a Customized Adapted PE Workshop to Your School or District!Equipment Showcase: Stick Ball VestsTalking Adapted PE Podcast:Professional DevelopmentOctober NCPEID APE CollaborativeMAPEC Community Chat (Virtual) with Jeff WatkinsUpcoming ConferencesAPENS Study Group for CAPE Certification:Support and Stay ConnectedSupport Our Site with Super Cool Merch!Stay ConnectedNewsletter Archive

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Teacher Spotlight: Kendyl Nowels

Kendyl Nowels began her journey into Adapted Physical Education (APE) while substitute teaching, exploring both physical education and special education. Now a CAPE Scholar at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), she has gained valuable hands-on experience adapting activities to meet the unique needs of her APE students. Kendyl has developed her own lesson plans and tested them in practicums, substitute teaching, and observation hours, refining her approach to making lessons engaging and accessible for all.

Kendyl believes that using themes and visuals makes lessons clearer, more fun, and inclusive for both students and paraprofessionals. One of her recent creations is a Pokémon-themed visual to teach standing or seated overhand throwing, helping students of all abilities participate in movement activities. Looking ahead, she plans to create a comprehensive resource with diverse and thematic visuals, including custom designs, to represent the wide range of students she works with. Keep up the great work Kendyl!!

You can download some of these visuals below and follow Kendyl’s journey and ideas on Instagram @coachkendyl and Twitter @kendyl_nowels.

Ash Ketchum’s Overhand Throw (step, point, throw)Download
Standing Ash Ketchum Overhand (point, step, throw)Download
Seated Ash Ketchum OverhandDownload

Adapted PE News

Stay informed with the latest news, professional development opportunities, and research advancements in the world of Adapted Physical Education.

Assistive Technology Presentaion at SHAPE PA!

I’m so excited to present for the first time all together with Nicole McCoy and Jeff Watkins at SHAPE Pennsylvania this Friday, November 8th, from 11:00-11:50 AM on Sport Court 11! We’ll be sharing hands-on experiences with assistive technology in Adapted PE—come see how we adapt activities like volleyball and baseball for students with disabilities.

If you’re in the area, stop by and join us! (We also have a proposal in for SHAPE Baltimore—stay tuned!)

Bring a Customized Adapted PE Workshop to Your School or District!

Are you interested in hosting a fully tailored Adapted PE workshop for your school, district, or region? SHAPE America offers workshops that can be customized to meet your specific needs, covering anything related to Adapted PE. After leading one himself, Justin Lund highly recommends this opportunity for all districts to enhance their APE programs. Whether you’re looking for training on inclusive lesson planning, activity modifications, or specific student needs, these workshops provide invaluable tools and strategies. To get started, simply direct message Justin or fill out this workshop request form!

Equipment Showcase: Stick Ball Vests

I’ve featured this product before but I love it so here it is again.

Looking for a fun and engaging way to motivate students during push-up exercises? Try gamifying push-ups with velcro vests! Equip students with velcro vests and scatter soft balls around the gym or activity space. During the push-up routine, students perform a push-up, picking the ball up with their velcro chest. The goal is to collect as many objects as possible within a set time or challenge period. This creative approach not only makes push-ups more exciting but also encourages upper body strength, coordination, and focus!

Talking Adapted PE Podcast:

Former National APE teacher of the year and current Program Manager for APE in the Fairfax County Schools in Virginia, Brad Weiner joins the show. Brad discusses what it is like to oversee a department of over 50 APE teachers (myself included!), the PD opportunities he offers, some of the great teaching practices taking place in his district, and then we go into all of the great content he’s created for the field, specifically his creation of non-standardized assessments. Brad’s work can be found at myphysicaleducator.com.

Professional Development

Stay up to date with the latest workshops, training sessions, and resources designed to enhance your skills and knowledge in Adapted Physical Education. Explore opportunities for growth, learn new strategies, and connect with experts to continue improving your teaching and support for all students.

October NCPEID APE Collaborative

Mark your calendars for the NCPEID APE Collaborative on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024 at 1pm PST, 3pm CT, and 4pm EST! Join Josh Porter, APE Teacher from Milton High School, GA, and Kristin Buenafe, APE Teacher from Santa Ana USD, as they discuss Adapted Fitness. This is a great opportunity to learn from experienced professionals in the field. You can join the session via Zoom using the link provided in the image. Don’t miss it!

Zoom Link to Join

Time: 1pm PST | 3pm CT | 4pm EST
Topic: Adapted Fitness with Josh Porter and Kristin Buenafe

View last months collaborative below featuring Dr. Suzanne Dillon and myself discussing Advocacy in APE.

MAPEC Community Chat (Virtual) with Jeff Watkins

We’re excited to share a great opportunity hosted by the Maryland Adapted PE Consortium (MAPEC)! On October 24th at 7 PM, join Jeff Watkins, the 2022 SHAPE Eastern District Teacher of the Year, for a virtual session titled “Top 10 Questions About Adapted PE.” This event will give you the chance to hear expert insights and get answers to your most pressing Adapted PE questions.

You can register by scanning the QR code on the flyer. If you’re not a MAPEC member yet, it’s free to join—sign up here. Don’t miss out on this informative event!

Upcoming Conferences

Conference NameDateLocationLink
North Texas APE ConferenceNovember 7-8, 2024Richardson, TXLink
SHAPE PA State ConferenceNovember 7-8, 2024Manheim, PALink
Virginia AHPERD 87th Annual ConventionNovember 8-10, 2024Virginia Beach, VALink

APENS Study Group for CAPE Certification:

The study group uses gamification for review, rotating standards each month. Attendees will receive a Quizzizz for future study. The remaining Fall semester dates are November 11, and December 9, with sessions held at 5:30 pm PST / 8:30 pm EST. The group is hosted by CSU Long Beach Project CAPE and UW-LaCrosse Scholars.

Join via Zoom: https://csulb.zoom.us/j/85372672032.

Support and Stay Connected

Support Our Site with Super Cool Merch!

Help us continue providing valuable resources by purchasing some awesome Adapted PE merchandise! We’ve curated a collection of gear perfect for educators, fitness enthusiasts, and supporters of inclusive physical education. Every purchase goes a long way in keeping our site running and improving.

Check out the merch here.

Stay Connected

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Thank you for taking the time to read our Adapted PE newsletter! Your dedication to creating inclusive and engaging physical education experiences is what makes our community so strong. We’re always looking to collaborate and would love to feature your innovative ideas and success stories in future editions. Together, we can continue to improve and inspire each other. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an update, and let’s keep the conversation going!

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