SPARK’s 30 Year Anniversary Series, Part 2
In the words of that famous physical educator from the great state of Massachusetts, "Ask not, what SPARK can do for you. Ask what you can do for SPARK." When Julie approached me about writing an article in celebration of SPARK's 30th birthday, a lot of different thoughts and approaches [...]
PE Grant Information
Check out these three PE grant opportunities to help secure funding for your program: Hearst Foundation – Education Grants The Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address important issues within our major areas of interests- education, health, culture, and social service- and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic [...]
How to Teach Social Skills in PE: Grades K-2
A goal of all physical activity providers is to create a physically and emotionally safe and supportive environment; one in which children learn and have opportunities to practice positive social interactions. To achieve this goal, teaching social skills, not just during SPARK PE sessions, but school/program wide, is highly recommended. [...]
How To Implement Common Core in PE
The Common Core standards were introduced to schools throughout the nation in 2010 and have quickly been adopted by 45 states. Designed as a robust, nationwide set of school standards, the Common Core program builds off the state standards already in place. The standards prepare students for college and the [...]
SPARK’s 30 Year Anniversary Series, Part 1
SPARK is now 30 years old? How quickly the years passed. As the Principal Investigator on the original grants, you could say I am the father of SPARK. So, I will give a father’s point of view on SPARK’s life. The idea of SPARK began as a gleam in my [...]
6 Tips for Helping Students Start Healthy Habits
Building new habits is like learning to ride a bike. At first it can be frustrating and it might feel like you’re getting nowhere, but looking back years later, you realize how instinctive it’s become. Just like riding a bike, healthy habits are a lot easier to master during the [...]