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.
Subscribe now and stay connected all year long!
Teacher Spotlight: Justin Lund
We’re excited to highlight Justin Lund, an Adapted Physical Education teacher at Poplar Bridge Elementary School and the 2024 SHAPE America Central District APE Teacher of the Year! With a passion for supporting all students, Justin recently shared a great tip for teaching the basics of throwing a football. By using both auditory and visual cues, his student was able to master the skill independently without any prompts. Now that’s what we call an #AdaptedPE touchdown! 🏈🥳
Thank you, Justin, for your dedication to Adapted PE and for sharing strategies that make a difference!
Adapted PE News
Stay informed with the latest news, professional development opportunities, and research advancements in the world of Adapted Physical Education.
Upcoming Presentations: Colorado to California Tour
I’m excited to be traveling this week to share insights on using assistive technology in Adapted PE, Just Adapt It., and Inclusive Pickleball! I’ll be starting in Colorado, heading to Long Beach, and wrapping up in San Diego for a series of presentations and workshops. Here’s where I’ll be:,
- SHAPE Colorado Conference – Denver, CO, October 7-8, 2024
- CSULB Project CAPE Workshop – Long Beach, CA, October 9-10, 2024
- San Diego Unified School District Workshop – San Diego, CA, October 11, 2024
Looking forward to connecting with educators and sharing innovative strategies throughout the week!
Resource Share: Locomotor License
We’re excited to share a new tool to help assess locomotor movement skills in K-3 students: a downloadable punch card system, shared by Shelly Smith in the Elementary PE Teachers Facebook group. This fun and engaging system allows students to track their progress in essential skills like running, jumping, and skipping, with each skill being punched once mastered. At the end of the unit, students take the cards home to show their families which skills they’ve mastered and which need further practice. This resource not only makes assessment enjoyable for students, but also fosters communication with families, encouraging home support. Be sure to model and practice each skill before assessment to ensure students feel confident and ready!

You can purchase a copy for $3 from TpT
Equipment Showcase: A Guide to Using Leaf Blowers in P.E.
Looking for a unique way to make physical education more engaging for students of all abilities? A leaf blower can be a surprisingly effective tool! By using it to blow lightweight objects like balloons or soft balls, you can create fun, sensory-rich activities that enhance coordination and motor skills. This simple tool can be a game-changer in fostering participation, adding a playful element that students with diverse needs will enjoy. Learn more in the link below.
Podcast
Former SHAPE America Teacher of the Year, Sammi Stewart joins the show this month to discuss her incredible program. Sammi’s passion for our field is evident throughout the episode and after listening you’ll leave energized and ready to keep making an impact. Sammi has presented both nationally and abroad and is an expert in our field. She is a champion of Unified PE and explains why it is so important to her.
Professional Development Opportunities: Upcoming Conferences
| Conference Name | Date | Location | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHAPE Colorado Conference | October 7-8, 2024 | Denver, CO | Link |
| Adapted PE Pre-Conference Workshop | October 17, 2024 (9am-4pm) | Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA | Link |
| North Texas APE Conference | November 7-8, 2024 | Richardson, TX | Link |
| SHAPE PA State Conference | November 7-8, 2024 | Manheim, PA | Link |
| Virginia AHPERD 87th Annual Convention | November 8-10, 2024 | Virginia Beach, VA | Link |
Professional Development Opportunities: MAPEC Community Chat (Virtual)
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!
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.

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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!
Newsletter Archive
- #AdaptedPE Monthly Newsletter- DECEMBER 2025
- #AdaptedPE Monthly Newsletter- NOVEMBER 2025
- #AdaptedPE Monthly Newsletter- OCTOBER 2025
- #AdaptedPE Monthly Newsletter- SEPTEMBER 2025
- #AdaptedPE Monthly Newsletter- AUGUST 2025
- #AdaptedPE Monthly Newsletter- JUNE 2025
- #AdaptedPE Monthly Newsletter- MAY 2025
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 33 (Week of 04/21/2025)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 32 (Week of 04/07/2025)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 31 (Week of 03/31/2025)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 30 (Week of 03/24/2025)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 29 (Week of 03/17/2025)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 28 (Week of 03/10/2025)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 27 (Week of 03/03/2025)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 26 (Week of 02/24/2025)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 25 (Week of 02/17/2025)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 24 (Week of 02/10/2025)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 23 (Week of 02/03/2025)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 22 (Week of 01/27/2025)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 21 (Week of 01/20/2025)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 20 (Week of 01/13/2025)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 19 (Week of 01/06/2025)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 18 (Week of 12/16/2024)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 17 (Week of 12/9/2024)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 16 (Week of 12/2/2024)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 15 (Week of 11/18/2024)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 14 (Week of 11/11/2024)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 13 (Week of 11/4/2024)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 12 (Week of 10/28/2024)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 11 (Week of 10/21/2024)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 10 (Week of 10/14/2024)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 9 (Week of 10/7/2024)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 8 (Week of 9/30/2024)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 7 (Week of 9/23/2024)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 6 (Week of 9/16/2024)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 5 (Week of 9/9/2024)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 4 (Week of 9/2/2024)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 3 (Week of 8/26/2024)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 2 (Week of 8/19/2024)
- #AdaptedPE Newsletter 1 (Week of 8/12/2024)
