Staying physically active is an important part of life. Moving our bodies helps us think through problems, gets our blood moving, helps us stay physically fit, and is simply just good for us. For some people staying physically active proves to be a challenge, not only for themselves, but for the people working with them. Physical Education for Children with moderate to severe disabilities is the help that educators need. Let me walk you through this book I am currently reviewing.

From the cover:
For students with moderate to severe disabilities, instruction in physical education can be a challenge. Many teachers struggle with understanding these students’ complex needs, selecting appropriate content, and finding ways to motivate these students. While many educators consider the social aspects of inclusion a priority, the authors in this text stress active engagement with the curriculum and the use of grade-level outcomes to adapt learning for students with a range of abilities. One thing is certain: The keys to making physical education a positive learning experience are the physical education teachers and adapted physical education teachers who work with these students. This text is for you!

What You Get:
Like all books from Human Kinetics this book is aimed at educators and although written with technical language is easy enough to read. Meaning that if you are a parent looking for inspiration you will have no issues receiving the help you need.
172 pages divided into three parts, 14 chapters in all.
Part One: Best Practices for Engaging all Students
- Understanding disabilities and universal design for learning
- Collaborative processes in Physical Education
- Assessment Strategies
- Communication practices that enhance participation
- Peer tutoring
- Paraeducators in Physical Educators
- Creating Accessible Equipment
Part two: Participation for all in Sports Activities
- Foundational skills and sensory integration
- Disability sport in physical education
- Modified programming in physical education
- Transitioning to recreational opportunities beyond school
- Aquatics for students with disabilities
Part Three: Sample Lessons using universal design for learning
- Team sports and target games
- Lifetime and health-related activities

Each chapter, as you can see, has the contributors names clearly identified along with the objectives. A great way to help you pinpoint the need you have and get it addressed quickly.

Numerous pictures dot the pages, and you will also find table to help you assess what is needed to help your student assess different sports, figures to draw attention to different information and much more.
This is a very informative book designed to help the teacher (and helpers) to create a good physical education program for their students.

As an additional help you will find review questions at the close of each chapter. There is no point in reading if you don’t really understand what you are learning. These review questions help bring to bear the skills you need to help your students better.
My Thoughts:
I just love a well organized book don’t you? To have the background given to me so I understand the reasoning behind statements made. Then to have practical helps given to me. It’s a wonderful thing to have. Physical Education for children with moderate to severe disabilities is one such book.
I loved the sample lessons, consider an alternative to a fencing lessons… can your student take a rolled up newspaper and hit a target? Can you use a simpler bow mounted horizontally, to teach the fundamentals of archery? Can your student, with the help of a peer buddy, use a wedge net to play soccer? I loved how the teacher is encouraged to look at the core skills aimed for with physical education unit. Then to find ways to modify that to include students with disabilities. An excellent book to help teachers think outside of the box.

Physical Education for Children with Moderate to Severe Disabilities.
Michelle Grenier & Lauren J. Lieberman (editors).
Human Kinetics
Softcover, 172 pages
Physical Education, Disabilities, Special Needs, Teachers
Reviewed for Human Kinetics.
Other Human Kinetics Books reviewed:
