#AdaptedPE Newsletter 4 (Week of 9/2/2024)

Welcome to our Adapted PE Newsletter! Our goal is to share innovative ideas, practical tools, and the latest updates to support your work in creating inclusive, engaging physical education experiences. Each week during the school year, we’ll bring you new insights and resources to help you stay inspired and connected. Whether it’s fresh teaching strategies, essential equipment, or professional development opportunities, we’re here to keep you informed and energized for the school year ahead.

Contents

Teacher Spotlight Adapted PE News Unified PE Controversy: Virginia’s Board of Education Faces Backlash Over Proposed Substitution Learn about the Paralympics Events!Equipment Showcase: The Overcomer Professional Development Opportunities Scholarly Insights The Talking Adapted PE Podcast Job Openings Stay Connected Newsletter Archive

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Teacher Spotlight

Discover this week’s standout Adapted PE innovation that’s enhancing student engagement and inclusivity in the classroom.

Kiersten Penrod is an innovative Itinerant Adapted PE Teacher at Northwest ISD with a rich background in elementary physical education. Known for her creativity and dedication to making physical education accessible and enjoyable for all students, Coach Penrod brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role. Her inventive approach to adapted PE not only inspires her students but also serves as a valuable resource for fellow educators.

I’ve been on the search for ideas to help my kiddos who can’t hula hoop and came up with this! It’s not perfect but it works. All you need is a few small hula hoops, ropes of some kind, and clip for the back. #adaptedpe pic.twitter.com/Dy8CkatL29
— Kiersten Penrod (@CoachPenrod4) August 22, 2024

Dribbling in APE! We have all had many kiddos that spend half the class chasing their 🏀…not anymore! This was my first attempt using the milk crates, I plan to zip tie them to the scooter. pic.twitter.com/pVFY5UKTPi
— Kiersten Penrod (@CoachPenrod4) January 10, 2024

Adapted PE News

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

Unified PE Controversy: Virginia’s Board of Education Faces Backlash Over Proposed Substitution

In Virginia, a heated debate has arisen as the state’s Board of Education considers allowing Unified PE (UPE) to substitute traditional PE for 9th and 10th graders, despite the absence of established learning standards or curriculum guidelines for UPE. This proposal has sparked significant concern among physical educators, who argue that Unified Sports, while valuable, should not replace a comprehensive physical education curriculum. Critics, including educators and advocates, are particularly alarmed by the suggestion that Unified PE may be used as practice time for Unified Sports, a move they see as prioritizing marketing strategies over the educational development of students. This controversy highlights the ongoing struggle to maintain the integrity of physical education in schools.

Virginia's board of education is considering allowing Unified PE as a substitution for PE for 9th-10th graders, despite knowing UPE doesn't have learning standards or curriculum guidelines.

To voice your opinion with the VA-BOE: https://t.co/EQyQItmt1o @SheilaVAHPE @NCPEID
— Justin A. Haegele (@Justin_Haegele) August 27, 2024

Special Olympics is using unified PE to develop their unified sports. They are using the school systems to market a product. Val specifically said that they will use unified PE for unified sport practice time. It is a slap in the face of all physical educators.
— Brad Weiner, M. Ed., NBCT, CAPE (@APETeacher) August 29, 2024

Learn about the Paralympics Events!

The Paralympics are underway, and what an event it’s been! In this edition, we’re excited to introduce our new Paralympic Resources section, where we’ve been working hard to add comprehensive guides for each Paralympic sport. Alongside these resources, we’re highlighting the incredible athletes who are making history at this year’s Games. Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding of the sports or learn more about the inspiring competitors, you can explore it all below.

Road to the Paralympics: Precision and Agility in Para Table Tennis

Road to the Paralympics: Strength and Strategy in Para Judo

Road to the Paralympics: Strength and Speed in Para Canoe

Road to the Paralympics: Precision and Strategy in Boccia

Road to the Paralympics: Masters of Wheelchair Fencing

Road to the Paralympics: The Intensity of Wheelchair Basketball

Road to the Paralympics: Inside the World of Goalball

Road to the Paralympics: The Dynamic World of Wheelchair Tennis

Road to Paralympics: Exploring the World of Para Triathlon

Road to Paralympics: Unveiling the World of Para Swimming

Road to the Paralympics: Powerhouses of Para Powerlifting

Road to the Paralympics: Stars of Para Athletics Breaking Barriers

Road to the Paralympics: Inside the World of Wheelchair Rugby

Road to the Paralympics: Heroes of Blind Football

Road to the Paralympics: Inspiring Journeys in Para Archery

Catch up with highlights from the games on the Paralympics YouTube Channel:

Equipment Showcase: The Overcomer

Explore the latest in adaptive equipment designed to enhance physical education experiences for all students.

The FlagHouse Overcomer Kit is a dynamic addition to any adapted physical education program, offering endless possibilities for inclusive activities. Designed to be adaptable, this kit helps educators create engaging and accessible PE experiences for students of all abilities. Whether you’re focusing on balance, coordination, or motor skill development, the Overcomer Kit provides the tools to ensure every student can participate and succeed. Discover more about how this versatile kit can enhance your program here.

Professional Development Opportunities

Looking to elevate your teaching skills? The new OPEN Teacher Certification experience might be just what you need. This self-paced course includes 8 learning modules featuring insights from 13 OPEN National Trainers, covering topics like class management, culturally relevant teaching, and universal design for teaching. For a one-time payment of $125 (or $99 with the launch event special code: opencert99), you’ll get 6 hours of on-demand professional development, endorsed by Sterling College, along with exclusive Zoom meetings, a 1/4 zip, a banner, and access to a private Facebook group. Join educators from 26 states and 2 countries who have already become OPEN Certified Teachers. Click here to learn more and start your certification today!

Scholarly Insights

The article “Implementing Action Research in Physical Education: A Guide for Physical Educators,” authored by David Adams, Melissa Bittner, Lisa Silliman-French, and Barry Lavay, offers a comprehensive framework for physical educators aiming to enhance their teaching practices through action research. This guide outlines a systematic approach involving observation, data collection, intervention design, and reflection, providing educators with tools to support student learning and behavior more effectively.

Delving into each step, the article emphasizes the importance of continuous observation to identify key teaching behaviors that impact student performance. It covers various data collection methods, both formal and informal, which are crucial for understanding students’ needs and tailoring interventions accordingly. The guide also highlights the value of designing targeted interventions and using tools like visual aids and positive reinforcement to improve student engagement and skill acquisition. By systematically analyzing and reporting data, educators can track progress, make informed educational decisions, and create a dynamic learning environment that addresses the diverse needs of all students, including those with disabilities. To explore these strategies in detail, you can access the full article here.

David Adams, Melissa Bittner, Lisa Silliman-French & Barry Lavay (2023)
Implementing Action Research in Physical Education: A Guide for Physical Educators, Journal of
Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 94:8, 14-21, DOI: 10.1080/07303084.2023.2244023

The Talking Adapted PE Podcast

In this episode, Nicole McCoy talks us through the realities of being one of just three APE teachers to cover a district. She then goes on to explain how she uses switches to make PE accessible for everyone. You can hear her excitement as she discusses her passion for finding ways to bring PE activities to her students. Enjoy the show and leave your thoughts!

Be sure to give Nicole a follow on Twitter – @NMcCoy_APE

Chris Ahrens 1 · Episode 2 – Nicole McCoy

Job Openings

California State University, Long Beach has a Physical Education Teacher Education job opening.
Please share!https://t.co/V32znfUvBc
— Long Beach State APE (@CSULB_APE) August 25, 2024

Stay Connected

If you know of any other good adapted PE communities on social media please let me know.

Adapted PE Specialists on Facebook

#AdaptedPE on Twitter/X

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!

Teacher Spotlight

Adapted PE News