Kids on the Ball Book (Copyright 1999, 224 pages)

They're colorful, big, and enticing. In recent years, innovative teachers have introduced the Swiss Ball, previously used primarily for therapy, into educational settings. Now you can use this unique tool to help children develop balance, coordination, rhythm, and fitness skills. In Kids on the Ball the authors, three physical educators and a physical therapist: explain the benefits of using Swiss Balls, describe activities using the ball, include step-by-step instructions, reproducibles, and written objectives, discuss modifications for special needs students (mainstreamed or not), address safety procedures, management, and care of the ball, provide curriculum ideas for incorporating the Swiss Ball into your present program, integrate Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences and different learning styles, and list content standards and benchmarks (NASPE and APENS). The book presents 23 complete lesson plans and 118 activities that have been successfully used by teachers in physical education classes. Virtually all of these activities can be used in inclusive settings. The activities cover the spectrum, including balance, coordination, rhythm and dance, flexibility, muscular strength and cardiorespiratory fitness, manipulative skills, and even games. The activity finder makes using the book a breeze. This unique piece of inexpensive, low-impact equipment adds variety to your program and provides valuable benefits to your students, so get on the ball! About the Author Anne R. Spalding is a recognized expert on integrating Swiss Balls into classroom settings. A physical education teacher in Boulder, Colorado, she has extensive training in developmentally appropriate practices and makes presentations on the use of Swiss Balls. Ms. Spalding is the coauthor of Physical Education Lesson Plans: Second to Fourth Grade Program, Basic Biomechanical Principles and Fundamental Movement Skills (1987). She also has done work in the area of integrating classroom academics into the gymnasium. Her adaptive teaching experience includes the areas of MPH, REACH, Non-Categorical, EBD, and LD students. She is a member of the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) and the Colorado Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPHERD). Ms. Spalding was a 1997 recipient of the Torch Award from the American Heart Association. Linda Kelly has taught physical education in the Boulder Valley Public Schools since 1