Welcome to my “Physical Education 101” program where I take the classical approach to PE combined with current science to responsibly educate today’s children for the future. This content is what I have been teaching my TK-6th grade PE students. You will find links to specific PE 101 videos and the supplemental handouts that go with the YouTube training videos or PE content areas that I teach. Included are many videos specifically directed at parents where I explain “why” I’m teaching these movements. While directed towards K-12 students, these are THE fundamentals of human movement education whether child or adult! Everyone can benefit. 🙂
In brief, the best and quickest way to begin understanding “Classical PE” is to watch our award-winning documentary film “The Motivation Factor.” I was the Executive Producer and PE Historian on this project for Filmmaker Doug Orchard. We uncovered the secrets of making the best learners–it was quality PE! It’s not the PE you might be thinking of though–our film covers the best of PE going back to ancient Greece and into the JFK era of early 1960s. What did history and PE know? Plenty! Watch the film then what is below will have far more impact.
These fundamental methods worked for generations of children to build strong minds, strong bodies, and good citizenship. Through quality of movement and thought, our children can have the best chance for success in the future.
Enjoy and engage! Ron Jones
JFK’s Physical Fitness Statement (March 30, 1962)
PE 101 Training Videos: My YouTube Playlist with Introductions, Definitions, Philosophy, Warm-Ups & Basics-Feet, Hands, Brain, Breath. *Specific links are also listed below.
Parent Message Videos: These short messages teach parents the history and philosophy behind my classical approach to physical education. It’s important for parents to know “why” these activities and exercises are so important.
- Introduction
- What is “Classical” PE?
- Adventure Walking & Parkour
- Building a PE Toolbag
- Build Your Gear:
- Counting Cadence
- Cross-Crawl Movements
- Find Your Center
- Fox Feet
- Hand & Finger Exercises
- Hip Hinge
- Main Components of Fitness
- Push-Ups
- Teaching How to Fish in PE
Ron Jones Interviews on Classical PE:
Movement & PE Videos:
- PRIORITIES! These are front and center with my PE class teaching philosophy. They address centering, awareness, breathing, postural alignment, correctives, and learning to work together as a group.
- Find Your CenterHands & Fingers Agility Counting (TK-2 Grades)
- How to Stand Upright with Ease
- How to Walk with Gliding Gait
- Calisthenics: (LaSierra Strength Endurance Exercise Routine)
- Back Pain Prevention:
- Balance:
- Dynamic Warm-Up Routines:
- Daily Dozen: Part I-Teaching Version (Bonnie Prudden)
- Daily Dozen: Part II-Follow Along (Bonnie Prudden)
- Ergonomics & Posture: ALL of these used to be fundamentals in education!
- Exercise Science:
- Feet:
- Ground & Guerrilla Moves:
- Organic Flow Restorative Ground Moves (Introduction)
- Organic Flow Restorative Ground Moves (Tutorial)
- Hands & Fingers:
- Health Wands: (Handout)
- Hip Hinge *HIGH PRIORITY!
- Joint Mobility: (Restorative & Corrective)
- Lunges:
- Regressions to Progressions (Easiest to Harder)
- Outdoor Recreation:
- Mental & Social Health:
- Push-Ups: (The Basics)
- Full Plank Position
- Push-Up Regressions (Wall, Box, Bench, Knee, Negative)
- SandBells:
- Speed, Agility, & Quickness Drills: (SAQ)
- Strength Routines:
Handouts:
- Estimating Resting Heart Rate
- Speed/Agility Ladders
- LaSierra High PE Strength Endurance Routine: (SER) This is the short “sampler” version suitable for elementary children. It has four foundational exercises: Side Straddle Hops, Push-Ups, Full Bends, & Stride Hops.
- Cadence Packet (How to voice the directions and count each exercise)
- Form Packet (How to actually do each exercise with classical form and quality)
- Organic Flow Restorative Ground Moves:
LaSierra High PE Vintage Film Clips: Look back to see what real PE programs used to be.
- JFK Physical Fitness Statement (1962)
- “CalPoly SLO Demos”
- LaSierra PE Demos (Reel #1)
- LaSierra PE Demos (Reel #2)
- LaSierra PE Demos (Reel #3)
- LaSierra PE Demos (Reel #4)
- LaSierra PE Demos (Reel #5)
- LaSierra PE Demos (Reel #6)
- LaSierra PE Demos (Reel #7)
- LaSierra PE Demos (Reel #8)
- LaSierra PE Demos (Reel #9)
- “Navy Blue & Gold” (Dave Brown Report)
- “Physical Conditioning For a Purpose” (National Varsity Club)
- “Poised for Action” Fitness Clinic-1″ (President’s Council of Physical Fitness)
- “Poised for Action Fitness Clinic-2” (President’s Council of Physical Fitness)
- “The School Where Fitness Counts” (President’s Council On Physical Fitness and Sports)
- “The School Where Fitness Counts-1964” (President’s Council On Physical Fitness & Sports)
Other Health & PE Resources: I highly recommend these and use them for my students.
- Bonnie Prudden: Bonnie was one of the top fitness experts in America for decades and taught PE, quality movement, back pain prevention, and trigger point release all over the world. This site is still featuring her books, methods, and workshops. From the classical or quality perspective, I highly recommend ANY of her books!
- Lean Berets Bonnie Prudden Page (info, podcasts, etc.)
- Cosmic Kids Yoga: Instructor Jaime is amazing and does a great job teaching proper yoga movements in fun and entertaining ways using modern technology and colorful graphics. My kindergarteners like these.
- “Educate Your Brain” by Kathy Brown, MEd: This book is a valuable resource for parents and teachers and does a great job explaining how the brain learns best through certain types of movement patterns. The BrainGym organization is also featured in this book. BrainGym has been in classrooms for decades helping children optimize learning around the globe. If you are interested in reading better, learning better, helping ADHD or autistic children, or just learning new ways to think about cross-body or cross-lateral movements, this is a great book to own and use.
- Huell Howser Shows: These are all educational and approved by education and library groups and based in California. While most are not PE or fitness-specific, many involve environmental health like water rights history, clean water resources, food and culture, parks and exercise, etc. They are fun and entertaining too.
- The Renaissance: This is a postural video project I did with filmmaker Doug Orchard. We cover the history of postural alignment, back pain, and the design of “vintage” school desks and how they related to the “prevention” of back pain.
- Trail Guide to Movement Video Series: This is an excellent collection of 26 short educational videos by LMT Andrew Biel. He covers the basics of biomechanics, balance, soft tissues, laws of motion, physics of motion, gravity, types of levers, and more. You can buy and download (or stream) all 26 for just $6.99 USD. Very high quality for great value.
Current PE References:
- California Health Education Content Standards (CDE)
- California PE Content Standards (CDE)
- Move Your Way: 60 A Day (US HHS)
- Physical Activity Guidelines For All Americans (US HHS)
- Physical Activity Recommendations By Age Group (CDC)
Ron Jones, MS, is a Historical Kinesiologist and a fully credentialed California teacher in Physical Education, Health Science, and English. He has a double major BA in PE/English and MS in Kinesiology with subdiscipline in Exercise & Sport Psychology.
