This book takes a close look at 30 studies conducted by 69 scholars with the objective of better understanding physical education, summarising and critically evaluating existing research. Key features include 30 easy-to-read annotations to keep readers interested while they learn about new constructs, teaching strategies, measuring instruments, programme alternatives and terminology. Reading research guidelines provide readers with practical skills for navigating through the difficult aspects of the typical research report. Combining both research and teaching perspectives on specific research projects, this book should shed light on the common ground and breed mutual respect between researchers (mostly college professors) and physical education teachers. The annotated bibliographies are intended to help students explore topics that are more specific and more advanced.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 The basics - numbers, time, space, equipment and behaviors: how equipment and class size make a difference; who gets the teacher's attention?; more days per week equals more learning; modifying equipment to fit the students. Part 2 Managing the class: reducing disruptive student behaviors; active supervision and student learning; teaching social behaviors; recording and classifying teacher management behaviors; teaching fair play in the gym and school. Part 3 Interactions among students: using trained peer tutors; peer-mediated accountability and successful practice. Part 4 Strategies for teaching and learning: can learners guide their own practice with self-talk?; using environmental cues to guide practice. Part 5 The voices of students: kindergarten children describe physical education; third-grade children describe physical education; children describe the mile-run fitness test; children describe what they learn in physical education; high school seniors recall elementary physical education. Part 6 Teachers in the workplace - training, experience and context: preservice classroom teachers in the gym; is daily physical education worth the price?; the impact of inclusion on physical education teachers; how five years of experience changed a teacher; how veterans and rookies planned a class. Part 7 Assessment as part of training: using skill assessment to build effective lessons; is peer assessment both practical and accurate?; Part 8 The SPARK studies - a program for teachers and children: the impact of SPARK on children's fitness and activity; the impact of SPARK on catching, throwing and kicking; how well do children like various physical education activities?. Part 9 Reviewing studies of the effects of physical education: the legacy of elementary school physical education. Part 10 The Trois-Rivieres studies - long-term effects of physical education: twenty-year follow-ups of participants in a model program.