THE INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER OF THIS GUIDE CONSISTS OF A DISCUSSION OF THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND OF THE BASIC PRINCIPLES WHICH SERVE AS THE FOUNDATION FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE SUCCEEDING CHAPTER IS CONCERNED WITH (1) THE AIMS OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION, (2) THE IMPORTANCE OF INITIAL AND ONGOING HEALTH APPRAISAL OF STUDENTS, (3) THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILDREN, (4) METHODS OF ASSISTING CHILDREN WITH WEIGHT CONTROL PROBLEMS, AND (5) THE CARDIAC-RESPIRATORY ENDURANCE OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS. SUGGESTIONS FOR PLANNING, SCHEDULING, CONDUCTING, AND EVALUATING AN ACCEPTABLE PROGRAM ARE PRESENTED IN CHAPTER 3. THE TEACHING OF BODY MOVEMENT SKILLS, POSTURE, AND SAFETY IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES ARE THE SUBJECTS OF CHAPTER 4. INDIVIDUAL CHAPTERS ARE DEVOTED TO EACH OF THE ELEMENTARY GRADE LEVELS (GRADES 1 TO 6) AND INCLUDE SPECIFIC DESCRIPTIONS OF (1) THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHILD, (2) THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM, (3) SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES, AND (4) CRITERIA AND TOOLS FOR THE EVALUATION OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE. APPENDIXES INCLUDE SUGGESTIONS FOR (1) REFERENCE MATERIALS, (2) ORGANIZATION OF PLAYGROUND AREAS, (3) EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, (4) SELF-MADE, INEXPENSIVE MATERIALS, (5) TOURNAMENT DESIGN, AND (6) CUMULATIVE RECORDS. (JS)