TEACHING PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOL. By Bev Hopper, Jenny Grey and Trish Maude. Routledge Falmer pound;13.99. TEACHING PHYSICAL EDUCATION 5-11. Edited by Richard Bailey and Tony Macfadyen. Continuum pound;16.99.
Teaching Physical Education in the Primary School will be useful for trainee teachers or anyone seeking professional development, but it is a must for subject leaders. The areas covered include games, gymnastics, dance, athletics, swimming, outdoor and adventure activities, and fitness and exercise.
Advice and practical ideas are offered for setting up safe and stimulating environments and achieving progression - the aspects of PE which cause most concern. Subsequent chapters address links with other curriculum areas. There is one on planning for PE at key stages 1 and 2, which includes advice on ensuring that you actually teach children something. Guidance is given to help evaluate teaching and learning.
Another chapter concentrates on teaching and management strategies and gives advice on teaching children with special needs. Finally there is a chapter on assessment, recording and reporting. example of good practice are drawn mainly from the gymnastics programme of study.
The 17 study sheets at the end are excellent and may be photocopied to provide a focus for observing, teaching and discussion. These could be used in a variety of ways, but will be valuable for self-study students and leaders in staff development sessions to help colleagues concentrate on particular aspects of the subject.
Teaching Physical Education 5-11 will be most welcomed by students in initial teacher training. It is authoritatively written, without jargon. However, I am also convinced that subject leaders and teachers with a real interest in the subject will seize on this book to keep up to date on good practice. Part one encourages appropriate, effective and safe PE teaching. There are also chapters on movement development, subject leadership and special needs. Part two addresses the teaching of each activity area of the curriculum. The references and recommended readings provide an excellent further studyguide.
Sue Chedzoy is lecturer in education and head of physical education, School of Education, University of Exeter
