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Meaningful content
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A written, sequential curriculum for grades PreK-12 is based on state 
and/or national standards for physical education.
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Instruction in a variety of motor skills is designed to enhance the 
physical, mental, and social/emotional development of every child.
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Fitness education and assessment are designed to help children 
understand, improve, and/or maintain physical well-being.
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Curriculum fosters the development of cognitive concepts about 
motor skill and fitness.
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Opportunities are provided to improve emerging social and coopera-
tive skills and gain a multicultural perspective.
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Curriculum promotes regular amounts of appropriate physical 
activity now and throughout life.
The aim of SPARK, a research-based curriculum, is to improve the 
health, fitness, and physical activity levels of youth by creating, implement-
ing, and evaluating programs that promote lifelong wellness. Each SPARK 
program “fosters environmental and behavioral change by providing a 
coordinated package of highly active curriculum, on-site teacher training, 
extensive follow-up support, and content-matched equipment focused on 
the development of healthy lifestyles, motor skills and movement knowl-
edge, and social and personal skills” (SPARK, 2013). 

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Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
Approaches to Physical Education in Schools
 
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