What are we doing in gym today?
Kenneth G. Tillman
What are we doing in gym today?
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
New Games and Activities for the Elementary Physical Education Class
by Kenneth G. Tillman
The text is written at a 6th 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 sharp whistle blows, echoing through the gym as sneakers squeak across the polished floor. You can almost taste the excitement in the air, mixed with the faint scent of rubber balls and gym mats. Every game invites you to run, jump, and laugh—feel your heart race and your smile grow wide.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book offers a collection of engaging physical education activities designed for children in grades K-8, focusing on coordination, teamwork, and fitness. The games are easy to supervise, adaptable to limited spaces, and promote active play for ages 9-12. It encourages physical development in a fun, safe environment without any challenging themes.
Why we rated What are we doing in gym today? 11C
What are we doing in gym today? is written at a Level 6 reading level across 202 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, What are we doing in gym today? works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate What are we doing in gym today? as 11C ("Clear") 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, What are we doing in gym today? explores physical education, games, teamwork, fitness, and child development — 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 physical education, games, teamwork.
- ✓ 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
11C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0139518223
- Pages
- 202
- Publisher
- Addison Wesley
- Published
- 1983
- Type
- Nonfiction