An Annotated Bibliography for Recess:
The Importance of Recess in the Age of Common Core,
Looking for answers in all the wrong books
With an increasing demand for higher standardized testing scores, schools are finding themselves in a tough position. The huge question being asked is how do we create more time for students to learn common core. The simple answer is, we don’t! Incorporating more time for recess is the key to success for students everywhere. Many researchers and educators alike agree that participating in recess increases students’ cognitive, academic, and social skills. The amount of time allotted for recess should be increased for students of all ages. A child’s well-being encompasses more than just academia. Children
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S., Andersen, H. B., Troelsen, J., & Schipperijn, J. (2016). Children's physical activity behavior during school recess: A pilot study using GPS, accelerometer, participant observation, and go-Along Interview. PLoS ONE 11(2): e0148786. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0148786 This article used a mixed method approach to assess the physical activity of 85 students at a public school in Denmark. Data was collected using observation, group interview, an accelerometer, and GPS. Both analyses showed very similar data. The data was broken down into three groups; building, school yard, and field. The students in the building category were the least active and the students in the field category were the most active. The researchers noticed that the students in the building were mainly female and the field was majority boys. I picked this article because it used a school that was actually allowing time for recess, but it was not being utilized by a large number of the students. These results help prove that an effort for inclusion still has to be made. Only providing soccer does not give everyone an equal opportunity to …show more content…
The results included cognitive, academic, social, emotional and physical benefits of recess. The authors also explored different types/durations of recess and special economic considerations for increased recess times. Many major organizations agree about the importance of recess in school. Although the recommended times and durations differ, the evidence of its benefits are overwhelming. Publications from 1989-2009 were collected and analyzed to show the correlation between recess and increased cognitive, academic, social, emotional and physical benefits. 15 different studies were used to assess the whole-child benefits of
Forty-two states have adopted Common Core State Standards. These standards were created to focus only on English and Mathematics. In effect of states adopting Common Core Standards, all other subjects taught in school seemed less important. History and Science standards are no longer stressed. Students are limited to being proficient in only two subjects. The Common Core deprives students’ ability to be skilled in multiple areas. These standards do not provide a slight “break” from the challenging fast past teaching of English and Mathematics. In addition to limiting education to English and Mathematics, Jill Bowden explains that the Common Core is affecting kindergarteners by taking “away from materials that encourage playful learning.” (36).
Are teachers enforcing discipline mechanisms in a healthy way for children? Researchers would answer no to this question because of one major factor: removing recess from a child’s school day. In Jessica Lahey’s article, “Students Who Lose Recess Are the Ones Who Need It Most”, she states that “schools continue to take away recess privileges as a penalty for academic or behavioral transgressions”. Many teachers follow this procedure because they assume that they are teaching the child how to act with appropriate behaviors. However, it is a proven fact that eliminating a student’s recess results in a negative outcome. Therefore, recess should not be removed from a child’s school day because this recreation plays a role in their physical health,
Sindelar, R. (2004). Recess: Is it needed in the 21st Century? Clearinghouse on Early Education and Parenting, Vol. 18, Issue 1, 1-6.
These are just some key points I would touch when trying to promote recess to school administrators or a school board. Recess is very important to our children and I think taking it out of their day to day routine will hurt them in the end.
Parrish, A. M., Yeatman, H., Iverson, D., & Russell, K. (2012). Using interviews and peer pairs to better understand how school environments affect young children's playground physical activity levels: a qualitative study. Health Educ Res, 27(2), 269-280. doi: 10.1093/her/cyr049
All over the country, parents are fighting this issue and many schools have already taken action. “One-third of colleges in America have eliminated the SAT or modified its use. There is even a school in Wyoming that has abolished homework for K-5” (Levs). However, for society to follow these bold footsteps, the first task is to make people realize that stress on children due to overscheduling is a very serious problem and that the well-being and economic future of the US depends on addressing this issue. Secondly, there is no quick solution. What overwhelms people the most is the complexity of the problem and the need for a complete turnaround of society’s expectations. One college professor comments, “We have an opportunity to change how we conceive being successful, and it takes bravery. I mean, you’re swimming against pop culture” (Abeles). So, instead of ignoring the diversity amongst children by directing the focus toward the narrow group of high-achievers, express the importance of individuality. A bell curve illustrates that “smart” has many different meanings: children who are academically smart, those who are incredibly creative, and those who are totally
Ah recess, the highlight of the elementary school days, no work to do, just running around outside, but did it really benefit us? Many people across the world are against recess because they believe it takes time away from learning. In addition, some parents value the education more than letting their kids have a break during school, which leads them to believe that recess is no good. What they don’t know is that recess actually benefits their kids. Kids should have recess because it helps them build social skills, reset their brains for future information to be learned in the day, and improve their mental function through regular fitness.
Schools all over the country are considering, if not already applying, the removal of recess for elementary school students. Having recess has scientifically proven to play a substantial part in the social development of a child, their physical health, and the amount of attention they pay in the classroom. For example the Tennessee Board of Education says, "It is the position of the NASPE that all elementary school children should be provided with at least one daily period of recess of at least 20 minutes on length" (National Association for Sports and Physical Education). Keeping recess in schools could help lower the childhood obesity rate, help children to be more attentive in class, and assist in the development of their much needed social skills. These aspects are essential to academic healthiness and to your child succeeding academically. Removing recess could cause a dramatic decline in the graduation rate in the U.S.
Caralee Adams, reported to Scholastic.com, “About 11 percent of states and 57 percent of districts require elementary schools to provide students with regularly scheduled recess, a study by the Centers for Disease Controls, in 2006.” As far back as 1884, W.T. Harris, addressed students being overweight, could be reduced with physical needs, be saved by recess. On the other hand, those who do not think recess is beneficial, argue that recess is a waste of time in the school day. Recess should be allowed in all schools because physical health and concentration benefits to kids.
Having a four-day school week is an ambitious proposal intended to help students work load. Those in favor of this shift believe that it will allow for more study time, and more time to go over the lessons for the week. Truthfully it will just add time onto the eight-hour school day a student already endures. As much as officials want to believe that a four-day week would provide more time to focus on the lesson it would only make students more exhausted. Kathleen Kingsbury reveals that “Parents also worry their children won’t have the time – or the energy – for after-school activities.” (3). Shortening the school week will not only add at least one hour to the typical school day, but also shorten breaks, and elective times, because of the
Several variables were measured including : sociodemographic measures, attitudes, environmental measures, self-efficacy, social reinforcement, social modeling and physical activity participation (Booth, et al, 2000).
Most children attend school for about 6.5 hours per day. Some people argue that this is not enough time for children to master key concepts, while others say that children spend too much time in school and on homework, which leaves them little time for family or fun activities. “There are many benefits to year-round schooling—including consistency, less time spent relearning material, and the implications that year-round schooling has for closing the achievement gap” (Lynch, 2016, par. 1). The adage of the adage. Currently, more than 700 schools have extended their day.
...n, B., (2012) Yay for Recess: Pediatricians Say It’s as Important as Math or Reading, Available at: http://healthland.time.com/2012/12/31/yay-for-recess-pediatricians-say-its-as-important-as-math-or-reading/, (accessed: 05/01/14)
Lately many parents and teachers have noticed a low morale of students at our school and around our community. Many think it may be caused by the added stress of the new common core standards. Some also think it may be caused by the lack of information about activities for students to participate in after school. “Most students participate in academic and non-academic activities at school, and develop a sense of belonging – their friends are there, they have good relations with teachers and other students, and they identify with and value schooling outcomes. But many students are not engaged.
Regular physical education is crucial because of the health benefits it carries. According to Health and Human Services (2003), “physical activity contributes to several long term health benefits, notably decreased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, certain types of cancer, and diabetes” (Portman, 2003, p. 1). By providing physical education in school systems, the amount of physical activity to stay h...