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Physical education for the severely handicapped

Dunn, John M.

Cover of Physical education for the severely handicapped

Physical education for the severely handicapped

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

A Systematic Approach to a Data Based Gymnasium

by Dunn, John M.

Reading Level 4-5 9LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.

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About This Book

The gym echoes with the soft thud of sneakers and the gentle rustle of wheelchairs rolling across the floor. Imagine a place where every movement matters, where kids of all abilities learn to play, grow stronger, and celebrate their unique talents. Here, every challenge is met with courage and every success feels like a victory.

Themes

Disability RepresentationPhysical EducationInclusionEmpowerment

Quick Assessment

This book offers an insightful look into physical education tailored for children with severe disabilities, featuring case studies primarily from Oregon. It provides educators and parents with practical strategies and thoughtful approaches to inclusive teaching. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it sensitively explores themes of accessibility and empowerment without graphic content.

Why we rated Physical education for the severely handicapped 9LE

Physical education for the severely handicapped is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 173 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Physical education for the severely handicapped works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Physical education for the severely handicapped as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.

Thematically, Physical education for the severely handicapped explores disability representation, physical education, inclusion, and empowerment — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

  • Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
  • Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
  • Kids drawn to stories about disability representation, physical education, inclusion.
  • Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9LE — Light — Emotional
Emotional
Light
Physical
Clear
Social
Light
Thematic
Light

No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
2
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
5
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

173 pages
ISBN
9780936104645
Pages
173
Publisher
PRO-ED
Published
1986
Type
Nonfiction

Genres

Subjects

Physical Education for Children With DisabilitiesUnited StatesOregonCase StudiesPhysical Education For The Mentally And Physically ChallengedPhysical Education for ChildreSpecial EducationDisabled PersonsPhysical Education and TrainingÉducation Physique Pour Enfants HandicapésCas, Études DeÉtude Et Enseignement

Places

United StatesOregon