Teaching Responsibility Through Physical Activity

In Teaching Responsibility Through Physical Activity, Don Hellison presents a street-smart teaching approach that uses sport and exercise to help young people take more responsibility for themselves and the well-being of others.

A leading expert on affective physical education and sport and a longtime teacher of at-risk students, Hellison draws on his own experiences and those of colleagues from across the country to provide educators and youth workers with proven strategies on

• using the gymnasium, playground, and playing field as centers for building student self-esteem;

• improving the quality of K-12 physical education classes, extended-day programs, diversion programs, and organized sport programs; and

• putting the character development claims of physical activity programs into practice.

In addition, this practical resource helps you offset some of the negative experiences facing your students by teaching them how to

• cope with everyday realities,

• take pride in themselves and their accomplishments,

• refrain from judging others too quickly,

• get along with peers and teammates,

• abandon their "tough" images, and

• control their tempers.

Teaching Responsibility Through Physical Activity is divided into two easy-to-follow parts that guide you from idea to implementation.

In Part I, Hellison introduces five levels of personal and social responsibility and outlines seven strategies--ranging from individual decision-making to group awareness talks--designed to put these levels into action. He suggests several empowerment techniques to help students set their own physical education goals and decide which activities enable them to meet their goals. Using a mix of humor and real-life examples, Hellison explains how instructors and students can successfully interact within his teaching framework.

In Part II, Hellison and colleagues from a variety of instructional settings offer ideas on how to get kids started on their way to self-responsibility. Drawing on his own experience, Hellison provides instructors with practical strategies for putting his levels into action in public schools and extended day programs. He also describes his work in diversion programs for young people with severe behavioral disorders and adds applications to other organized sport programs as well.

If you work with children and want to help them take more responsibility for their lives, Teaching Responsibility Through Physical Activity is the street-smart, inspirational reference you've been waiting for.