Science, PE, & Me!: Integrating Science and Fitness Concepts in Physically Active Complete Lessons for Elementary Children Grade 5 (The Science of Healthful Living Book 1)

Science, PE, & Me! is a innovative approach to 3rd, 4th and 5th grade physical education. Children examine the effects of physical activity on their bodies in physically active physical education lessons. The integrated physical education and science education curriculum was funded by a $1.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health and designed by master teachers in physical education and science education. It exemplifies the “sound mind in a sound body” approach to physical education. Student achievement of fitness and science concepts was tested in a randomized clinical trial with 30 urban elementary schools. Students demonstrated statistically significant increases in knowledge concepts in every unit in every grade.

The Teacher’s Manual for each grade consists of 30 very detailed lessons in three units, Dr. Love’s Healthy Heart, Mickey’s Mighty Muscles, and Flex Coolbody’s Fitness Club. Together these units provide students with an opportunity to learn about the five fitness components and the fitness concepts of overload, progression, specificity, and FITT.

Student Journals (workbooks) accompany every lesson to reinforce the concepts in each lesson. Students use their journals to predict and collect data as they participate, analyze and graph data, and communicate their findings to others.

Teacher Resources include a detailed 120-page activity directory with directions and set up for every physical activity. Graphics designers created charts, posters, and activity cards to help teachers convey the concepts to students. A Teacher’s Encyclopedia helps teachers with the fitness and science concepts.

Family Science Activity Night is a school-community event in which children invite their families to school to participate in eight physically activity experiments they have completed in physical education. The included Family Lab Notebook provides and opportunity for each family member to enter their data from each experiment and to discuss the effects of exercise and good nutrition on their bodies. There are handy directions for teachers to help with event set-up.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Chap 1: Science, PE, & Me! Guidelines and tips for teachers (How to use this curriculum)

Teachers Manual
Chapter 2: Dr. Love’s Healthy Heart (10 lessons)
Chapter 3: Mickey’s Mighty Muscles (10 lessons)
Chapter 4: Flex Coolbody’s Fitness Club (10 lessons)

Student Science/Physical Education Journal (1 entry /lesson)
Teacher Resources
Activity Directory
Encyclopedia
Equipment Lists
Charts & Posters
Vocabulary
Validated Knowledge Tests and Testing Manual

Matrices
Summary of National Standards – Science Education
Essential Questions, Objectives in Each Lesson

The Curriculum can be used by physical educators, classroom teachers, and after-school teachers to teach physically active science-based physical education. Teachers can use it to supplement or replace their current curriculum. Science, PE, and Me! can be a great boost to your physical education program!