For elementary physical education teachers and others who work with children at this age, here is a unique collection of competitive and cooperative games that maximize participation and minimize failure for all players, have specific learning objectives and fit into a broad-based physical education program that allows students to develop varied and complementary skills. Each game provides everything needed for its successful use, including a brief introduction, an equipment list, game preparation guidelines and game play instructions. Many also provide helpful diagrams and drawings and/or tips for varying the game or modifying it to accommodate students' ability levels.

Written by a nationally known physical education teacher and author, this one-of-a-kind book contains PE games that allow children to develop team and lifetime sport skills in an exciting and meaningful setting--leaving them motivated, challenged, and enthusiastic about sport participation. In all, this user-friendly resource contains field-tested activities proven to enhance sport skills in fourteen sport categories--the most comprehensive sport lead-up game book available to physical educators. Each of the 242 games provides everything needed for its successful use. This includes an introduction with a skill purpose, number of participants required, suggested grade levels, equipment needed, play instructions, and illustration. In addition, you'll find helpful advice on how to use lead-up games most effectively in the PE curriculum, including how to introduce games to children, tips on finding the right game to achieve your learning objectives, safety guidelines, and much more.

Authors Ray Breed and Michael Spittle, long recognized as experts in the game sense model and teaching games for understanding approach, have created a complete resource for physical educators and coaches of games and team sports. Their new book, Developing Game Sense in Physical Education and Sport, provides both the theoretical foundation and the practical application that teachers and coaches need to confidently teach their students and athletes the skills and game sense they need to successfully compete in games and sports. This text, inspired by the authors’ previous book, Developing Game Sense Through Tactical Learning, offers new material since the publication of that 2011 book, particularly in relation to curriculum, assessment, and physical literacy. “Our version of a game sense model has been modified over time and adjusted to meet the changing needs and requirements of learners and programs,” Breed says. “This book is an updated and improved variation of our original book, and it will assist teachers and coaches in integrating game sense into their sessions and curricula.” Through Developing Game Sense in Physical Education and Sport, teachers and coaches will be able to do the following: Provide a logical sequence and step-by-step instructions for maximal learning, skill transfer, and game skill development Accelerate learning by linking technical, tactical, and strategic similarities in three thematic game categories (There are 19 invasion games, 13 striking and fielding games, and 14 net and wall games.) Save preparation and planning time by using the extensive planning and game implementation resources Set up games with ease and effectively relate game sense concepts by following the 90 illustrations and diagrams created for those purposes The text includes curriculum ideas and specific units for children ages 8 to 16. Unit plan chapters provide six sessions for each of the two skill levels (easy to moderate and moderate to difficult). The book also offers assessment tools and guidance for measuring learning as well as links to different curriculum frameworks. The appendixes supply teachers and coaches with useful tools, including score sheets, performance assessment and self-assessment tools, session plan outlines, and more. Developing Game Sense in Physical Education and Sport takes into account regional differences in the game sense model and teaching games for understanding approach. Its organization will facilitate users’ ready application of the material. The text first provides an overview and theoretical framework of the concepts of skill, skill development, game sense, and assessment. It then goes on to explore the links between fundamental motor skills, game sense, and physical literacy. Later chapters offer thematic unit and lesson plans as well as assessment ideas. Practical resources, game ideas and descriptions, and assessment ideas are supplied, along with the practical application of game sense, teaching for skill transfer, structuring games, developing questioning techniques, and organizing sessions. Developing Game Sense in Physical Education and Sport will allow coaches and teachers to develop the tactical, technical, and strategic skills their athletes and students need in game contexts. Coaches and teachers will also be able to help learners develop personal, social, and relationship skills. As a result, learners will be able to more effectively participate in, and enjoy, team games.

Remember the days when, with very little equipment and just a few kids, you could have an endless amount of fun playing games? Those days are back. And Physical Education for Homeschool, Classroom, and Recreation Settings: 102 Games With Variations adds a twist to those fun games: They are educational as well. The 102 games and 10 dance and gymnastics activities in this book are specifically designed for small-group settings. They’re great for • parents who homeschool or who simply want to supplement their children’s PE instruction and have fun with their kids; • physical education teachers in small-school settings or who break their class into smaller groups; and • leaders of after-school, recreation, intramural, and recess programs. While the settings may change, the results don’t: Children learn skills and healthy concepts while playing games that keep them coming back for more. Physical Education for Homeschool, Classroom, and Recreation Settings offers the following: • Games and activities that are ready-made, easy and fun to play, and grounded in research • Yearly lesson plans for grades K-5, making it easy for you to teach • Games that are grounded in American Academy of Pediatrics research on the importance of play, the Canadian Sport for Life model, physical literacy, and the Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) approach The TGfU approach helps children learn interpersonal, social reasoning, and problem-solving skills, which they can apply to multiple situations. And as they take part in the fun physical activities, kids develop fundamental abilities and learn how to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle through regular physical activity. The book includes a game finder to help you see what skills and equipment are involved for each game. Photos, illustrations, and easy-to-use components help make the games simple to teach, and you’ll be shown how to modify each game as needed for your children and to ensure the game applies to different sports. Each game ends with questions that lead to understanding the skills and concepts applied during the game. Physical Education for Homeschool, Classroom, and Recreation Settings includes • warm-up, cool-down, and fitness games; • target, territory invasion, and net and wall games; • dribbling, striking, and fielding games; and • dance and gymnastics activities. Whether you are looking for a useful PE book for your homeschooler or looking to supplement your physical education program, recreation program, or after-school or intramural program, this book is a great find. You’ll find it comprehensive, well grounded, and filled with challenging educational games that your kids will love.