#AdaptedPE Newsletter 8 (Week of 9/30/2024)

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: Heidi Ambrosius, The APE Advocate Adapted PE News New Merch Line: Adapted not Adaptive Scholarly Insights:Equipment Showcase: Boulder Portable Nets Professional Development Opportunities: Free American Sign Language Classes (Online)Podcast APENS Study Group for CAPE Certification:Support Our Site with Super Cool Merch!Stay Connected Newsletter Archive

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Teacher Spotlight: Heidi Ambrosius, The APE Advocate

This week, we highlight Heidi Ambrosius, an Adapted Physical Education (APE) Specialist with 25 years of experience in Moreno Valley USD, where she works primarily with preschool students. Beyond her district work, Heidi is also an adjunct professor at CSUSB, the APEAA Coordinator, and a key member of both the SoCal APE Consortium and NCPEID. With her CAPE certification, she regularly presents at conferences and leads professional development for APE teachers.

Heidi is widely recognized as one of the leading experts in the field, always ready to support others by answering questions and offering guidance. She created The APE Advocate, a social media platform to share resources and advocate for the APE community. Thanks for all you do!

https://twitter.com/theapeadvocate/status/1837684824825360704

Follow Heidi:

Facebook: The APE Advocate
TikTok: @the.ape.advocate
Instagram: the.a.p.e.advocate
X (Twitter): @theapeadvocate

Adapted PE News

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

New Merch Line: Adapted not Adaptive

Our new merch line, “Adapted Not Adaptive,” is a bold statement advocating for the correct terminology in physical education. By using “Adapted,” we promote accuracy and professionalism, highlighting that the field is tailored to students’ unique needs, rather than modifying their abilities. Wearing this design helps raise awareness about the importance of Adapted PE, fostering students’ feelings of inclusion and reinforcing the value of programs that empower students of all abilities. Plus, your purchase supports this vital message and helps keep our site running! Get yours from AMAZON here!

Scholarly Insights:

In their 2024 study, Bittner et al. developed a Google Sheets calculator to enhance the administration of the Test of Gross Motor Development-3 (TGMD-3), a widely used tool to assess fundamental motor skills in children. The Google Sheets tool automates scoring, saving educators and researchers valuable time while minimizing human error. It provides instant calculations for scaled scores, percentile ranks, and gross motor indices, and includes visual graphs to track progress, making assessments more efficient and accessible.

Bittner, M., Young, A., Bradshaw, L., Lavay, B., Prieto, L., & Ku, B. (2024). Using Technology to Improve TGMD-3 Administration: Google Sheets for Efficiency and Accuracy. PALAESTRA, 38(3), 37–47.

To read more, you can access the full article here.

To request a copy of the Google Sheets calculator, send proof of TGMD-3 purchase to Dr. Melissa Bittner at melissa.bittner@csulb.edu.

Equipment Showcase: Boulder Portable Nets

The Boulder Badminton Pickleball Net is an excellent tool for Adapted PE teachers due to its adjustability and versatility. This portable net can be used for various activities like badminton, pickleball, junior tennis, volleyball, and soccer. Its adjustable height and width (ranging from 10ft to 22ft) make it suitable for diverse student needs and skill levels. Easy to set up and transport, this net allows for quick transitions between activities, encouraging inclusive, engaging games in both indoor and outdoor environments.

It’s a great addition for creating adaptive and flexible physical education lessons.

Boulder Sports All-in-One Pickleball & Badminton Set - Portable, Adjustable Net with Paddles & Rackets

BOULDER Portable Badminton Pickleball Net - Foldable / Extendable Poles for Multiple Sports Heights (UP to 5 ft) - Ideal for Tennis, Pickleball, Soccer Tennis - Easy Setup (Black, 17 FT)

Disclaimer: Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. These commissions help support the ongoing work of creating and sharing adapted physical education resources, guides, and inclusive activity ideas so that everyone can thrive in PE. Your support makes it possible to keep this site running and the content free for educators and families. Thank you!

Professional Development Opportunities: Free American Sign Language Classes (Online)

We’re excited to share an opportunity to learn basic conversational ASL through the Oklahoma School for the Deaf’s community courses! These free, self-paced, non-credit classes are perfect for learners of all ages. Though the courses are free, donations to the OSD Foundation are encouraged to help support students, families, and community outreach. Sign up and learn more here.

Podcast

In this week’s featured podcast, Chris Ahrens is joined by Heidi Ambrosius to discuss the unique challenges and nuances of Adapted PE in Pre-School. Their conversation dives deep into the intricacies of working with young children in Adapted PE, making it an insightful listen for educators. Heidi’s passion for the field shines through, and their engaging discussion leaves plenty more to explore in future episodes

Chris Ahrens 1 · Episode 9 – Heidi Ambrosius – APE in Pre-School

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. Fall semester dates are October 14, 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 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!

Teacher Spotlight: Heidi Ambrosius, The APE Advocate