One of the most respected physical education teachers in the country shares his methods for effectively reaching all students, from those who fear physical activity to those who are accomplished athletes.
Right Fielders Are People Too helps middle school physical education teachers establish and maintain a positive learning environment that allows students to work to their potential. The inclusive, developmentally appropriate program described in this book helps students feel comfortable in class and develop a positive attitude toward physical activities. Students can learn skills without intimidation and experience the joy and exhilaration of physical activities, even if they can't perform the activities very well.
Author John Hichwa, 1993 NASPE Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year, shares the successful strategies he developed in 35 years of teaching K-8 students. The book's friendly, teacher-to-teacher format and nearly 150 unique drawings make the methods and activities easy to understand, whether you've been teaching for several years or are just beginning your first student-teaching experience.
Hichwa provides insights into the challenges of teaching middle school physical education and shares examples from his classes, offering a perspective not available in textbooks. He also presents more than 100 innovative games and activities for developing physical skills, cooperative behaviors, and problem-solving abilities. But Right Fielders Are People Too is not simply one teacher's ideas-the entire book is connected to the NASPE National Standards for Physical Education and follows the developmentally appropriate guidelines.
The format of the book resembles a doubleheader baseball game. Game 1 discusses various characteristics of middle school children and describes an effective middle school physical education program. By following Hichwa's practical advice, you'll learn how to
-integrate the teaching of respect, responsibility, and resourcefulness into the curriculum;
-get feedback about students' concerns and feelings and their understanding of the material presented;
-develop new teaching skills, such as debriefing and involving students in the grading process;
-motivate students by helping them track their own progress; and
-involve parents in their children's physical education.
Game 2 offers specific suggestions for planning day-to-day activities. From musical push-ups to the rolling river raft to school rugby, you'll find activities that will maximize class participation by making physical education fun!
