MEDIA REVIEW

UPSIDE RIGHT: A CHILDREN'S GUIDE TO MOVEMENT

media review written by Kayla Johanson, pelinks4u.org Editorial Assistant

click here for larger view

Target Audience/Purpose:
"Upside Right: A Children’s Guide to Movement" is a picture book targeted for elementary age students. This colorful and interactive book offers a fun way for physical education teachers or parents to introduce the many components of physical movement.

Content:
This book introduces the reader to several areas of movement. Spatial awareness, changes of direction, locomotor movements, changes of speed, traveling on different body parts, body shapes, balancing techniques, body strength and weakness are all covered using illustrations and age appropriate text.

The book takes the reader through each of these areas of physical movement by discussing what the children in each picture are doing, followed or preceded by reader questions. These questions are intended to get readers involved in brainstorming ideas of how their own bodies can move. The illustrations show the clever ways in which people can move their bodies to walk backwards, make a shape, balance and much more.

Strengths/ Limitations:

strengths

• The text of the book is written in a fun rhythmic pattern.
• The illustrations offer clear examples of the movements discussed.
• The content allows opportunities for the readers to engage in movement, and also prompts problem solving and critical thinking by asking readers to come up with original movements or ideas.
• This book is also accompanied by a teachers' edition (sold separately).
• This book addresses areas of physical movement that, if taught to children, could have a very beneficial impact on their activity levels.
• The use of this book also offers a great way to incorporate literacy into physical education and movement into classrooms.

limitations:

• The book size may be small if used in a large class where students need to see the text and illustrations from a distance.

Summary:
Overall, this book offers teachers and parents a great tool to introduce physical movement to children. Not only does this book address basic movements for staying active and healthy, but it also addresses some good social lessons related to movement, such as personal and general space. The detailed drawings of real life events offer readers great visuals of the movements discussed.

Recommendation:
I would strongly recommend this book for elementary school physical education teachers and parents of young children. This book offers some excellent suggestions for incorporating life skills and exercise into reading.

THE TEACHER'S EDITION OF 'UPSIDE RIGHT'

media review written by Kayla Johanson, pelinks4u.org Editorial Assistant

Target Audience/Purpose:
"Upside Right: A Children's Guide to Movement – Teacher Edition" is the accompanying teachers manual to "Upside Right: A Children's Guide to Movement" intended for teachers or parents to use as a guide to implementing the many ideas, lessons, and concepts presented in the picture book.

Content:
The content of this teachers edition is very straightforward and informative. The teachers edition is broken up into nine sections. Each section covers an area of movement addressed in the book. Included in each of these sections are a "Movement Objective," "Conceptual Objective," and "Lesson Ideas." These "subsections" provide the teacher with great tips and starting points for integrating the material into the classroom and transforming the book into more than just a story.

Strengths/ Limitations:

strengths

• This book provides exerts of the pages that relate to the section being discussed. This allows the reader to quickly reference which pages from the book pertain to the lesson ideas they are reading about.
• This teacher edition provides great lesson ideas.
• This book clearly states the objective of each page of the book.

limitations:

• The inclusion of state/national standards in physical education would be helpful for teachers who are designing lessons to meet requirements.

Summary:
Overall, this teacher edition is a great supplement to "Upside Right: A Children’s Guide to Movement," and provides a wealth of information that enhances the potential of "Upside Right: A Children’s Guide to Movement." This is a teacher edition that truly adds to the value of the children's guide.

Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to teachers who teaches elementary physical education. I would also recommend this book to parents. This book is recommended to anyone who uses the children's guide - "Upside Right: A Children's Guide to Movement" - whether for inclass or for use out of class. Using the teachers edition will help you get the most benefit from the children's guide.

Biography: In 2010, Kayla graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology. After much consideration, Kayla decided to pursue a career as a School Psychologist in order to join the force of professionals striving to help children learn and grow.

Currently in her first year as a graduate student at Central Washington University in the School Psychology program, she hopes to one day become a positive resource for parents, teachers, and students.

We invite you to contact her if you have ideas for articles and/or would like to write an article for publication at pelinks4u. c/o Kayla Johanson, pelinks4u@gmail.com.

To Main MEDIA Review Page

(back to pelinks4u homepage)