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Physical education and academic performance
Physical education and academic performance
Should schools have longer recess time
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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 recess can help kids be more physically active. For example, The American Heart Association News, a news organization, stated that, ”Recess time has been championed as a way to help combat the nation’s childhood obesity problem. Studies also have shown that the
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For instance, Martha Young, associate dean of the College of Education at the University of Nevada, reported to fairtest.org, “.....the quantity-over-quality approach to instructional time. We’ve unfortunately bought into the idea that more is better, and that isn’t always going to be the case, particularly when you’re talking about elementary school students. In some cases you can have a 12-hour school day and not make any more progress than you would in six hours.” This quote shows that kids need time to recollect themselves with a break. By getting a break, it can help them refocus and get more done. Additionally, The American Heart News Association, a news organization stated, “After recess, for children or after a corresponding break time for adolescents, students are more attentive and better able to perform cognitively.” This quote proves that getting a break in between is better than not getting one because a break helps kids refocus, instead of them not paying attention and getting nothing done. You could more work done in a less amount of time with a
As I wearily sat in my seat, writing an essay on the importance of electricity in the modern world, I caught myself glancing repeatedly at the clock that was so carefully perched above the teacher’s desk. “Ten minutes, only ten more minutes left until school is over and I get to go home!” I told myself. In most schools, the average school day is about eight hours long. Eight hours of continuously sitting in a chair taking notes during lectures, doing classwork, projects, etc. During these eight hours of school, students deserve a short, outdoor break in which they can isolate themselves from the stress of working all day and just relax. Studies have shown that people who take short breaks throughout the day to do light, outdoor breaks are more productive than those who do not. A short, outdoor break will benefit students due to the fact that students will have time to relax; students will be able to focus more, concentrate, and be more productive; and teachers will have more time to prepare for the next class coming.
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 spend almost eight hours a day at school, sometimes more. The school system and
Children can burn off bottled up energy at recess that they have accumulated while sitting through their teacher’s lessons. Lahey mentions that “studies have found that students who enjoy the benefit of recess are more attentive once they return to class”. This is helpful because the child will be focused on what they are learning instead of fidgeting in their chair. Also, providing breaks to students while they are learning can result in longer attention spans. Recess is a break that recharges the brain and allows elementary students to control their desire to adventure. Young children are easily distracted, so recess regulates this by providing them with their own free time. Students become more self-contained after they return from recess due to their tiredness. This is useful in class because children will be less hyperactive. The absence of recess would not permit students to learn self-control
In the “The Crucial Role of Recess in School” (2012) article it explains, many schools are beginning to replace physical activity, like recess, with more attention to academic subjects. What these schools are forgetting is that well-supervised recess also has benefits that surpass academics. They help make a well rounded student because recess offers cognitive, social, emotional, and physical benefits to the student when they are young that they carry with them into adulthood.
A lot of people have agreements and disagreements about if we should or should not have recess. I oppose “Recess, Think about it”, which argues against recess at Burrillville Middle School, and I agree with “An ‘Old-school’ Idea”, which describes bringing recess back to Burrillville Middle School.
Schools all over the country are considering, if not already applying, the removal of recess for elementary school students. Receipts have been 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 in 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 health and to your child succeeding academically.
being allowed less time for free, creative, child-driven play in order to spend more time focused
Adams, Jill U. "Physical Activity May Help Kids Do Better in School, Studies Say."Washington Post. The Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2013. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.
The brain is a complex organ. The brain can be overworked and overactive. In “Students Who Lose Recess Are the Ones Who Need It Most” and “Skipping School for Vacation: Good for Families, or Bad for Students” by Jessica Lahey. Breaks are healthy for students, but too much can be bad.
For the last several legislative sessions, groups of parents around the state have asked state legislators to pass new laws to mandate “unrestricted recess time” for elementary students. It was just a few years back that the state legislature passed laws that mandated “structured physical activity time” for every elementary student.
Studies have shown that kids who didn't have recess, instead of being refreshed and ready to learn, were brain-drained, as they have lost out on the opportunity to regain the energy needed for focus. (Barros) Many people believe that recess was a waste of time and that it should be taken away in high school, but without it students become brain-drained and do not have focus towards school. This means that recess is not a waste of time, as it makes students have more energy towards school, but makes class a waste of time for teachers. Many students that I encounter before going to the last class of the day or any class say things like “My brain is done working for the day”, “I just need a break”, “ I just want to go play a game”, or “I am tired of sitting all day.” Rarely do students get to go outside and play a game or go for a walk during the day or class, but on the days that they do, after the time outside or playing a physically active game, the students were more focused throughout the
Do you like to go to school for seven hours a day straight with no breaks? Mr. Hale please consider having a short break. Having a break would benefit the students. It would acquiesce them to use the bathroom or socialize with friends. Also, you could finish any homework or study. It would also help students pay better attention in class.
Have you ever wondered if recess is necessary, or if it just takes away learning time? Recess has been around since the beginning of school itself. It is a time when kids go outside, if the weather permits, for a bit of unstructured play. Children often bring a snack to eat, or a friend to play with. Many children might even say that their favorite subject is recess.
One reason there needs to be longer recess in school is because recess gives students time to stretch their bodies allowing them to be fit and active, There is evidence to support this reason. If you consider the following quote "Wouldn’t it make a lot more sense to institute healthy active policies into school so that all children grow up with the habits that not only help them learn best but also help them become healthy, active adults?" (Rochman)
We Need Breaks! Let’s just take a minute and visualize Independence Middle School students getting breaks between classes. Mr.Hale please consider the very needed schedule change it would be very appreciated. I’m not talking about thirty minute breaks, I’m talking about fifteen minute breaks. I personally think this is a wonderful idea, because some students have friends in other classes, it would allow time for organization, and it would also allow time for kids who slack on getting their Accelerated Reader points.