Recess within Middle Schools
Why is it that schools throughout
America all handle the idea of recess in different ways? As someone who has
always loved just simply playing in the outdoors, I decided to look
further into this by studying the various advantages and disadvantages of
recess.
Advantages vs. Disadvantages
Schools
all over the country have started to cut back on and even eliminate recess in
their daily schedules. The main reason for this seems to be that schools are
trying to create more time for instruction within the classroom. In recent
years, there has been an increasing amount of pressure put on both schools
and teachers due to standardized tests (Recess: Necessity or Nicety). Standardized testing became
popular back in the 80's when there were reports that America
was falling behind other countries academically. Not only did schools have
to worry about the standardized tests, but they also had to find ways
to compete with other countries (Cromwell). Each of the schools in America had
to compete with one another as a result of the No Child Left Behind Act,
which issued more funding to schools who showed better results and improvement
on the tests. Because of this, many schools resulted in cutting back on recess,
in order to designate more time towards academics. By spending more time on
academics, schools hoped that in turn they would get better test scores and
therefore more money (Strong). In recent years the No Child Left Behind Act has been
adjusted in a multitude of ways, but the education system within our country is
still a work in progress. One last reason schools seem to be getting rid of
recess is due to money. While the teachers don’t want to monitor recess because
they need the break, schools can’t always afford creating new jobs for recess
monitors (Strong). Despite there being a multitude of reasons for cutting back on recess,
none of them have actually proven to benefit the students in any way, which is
why I believe the advantages of recess outweigh the disadvantages, and recess
should still be included in the daily schedules of schools everywhere.
These
advantages can be seen in schools all over the country, and even world. One
example of a school that has found great purpose in having recess built into
their school day is Betty-James Elementary School, as can be seen in this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ettd558rfuA.
Results like those seen in Betty-James Elementary school have been proven
elsewhere as well. Studies and research have shown a variety of different
advantages to recess within schools. One of the main reasons why schools choose
to include recess in their day-to-day schedule is that it gives the children
time for physical activity (Parker-pope). This results in many health benefits including
reduced risk for cardiovascular disease, an increased self-esteem, obesity
prevention, and lowering of blood pressure. In a country that has seemed to
have rising obesity and health problems over the years, this has become very
important. In fact, schools have even began to change their lunches to give
healthier alternatives. If we are promoting our students to be nutritionally
healthy, it’s important that we teach them the importance of physical activity
in health as well. While some may argue that physical activity can come through
gym classes, many schools don’t have gym every day of the week or all year. By
allowing students recess time, we are allowing for more time for these physical
activities (Banks, Meyler). Not only does recess benefit the students’ health, but it also
benefits the students within the actual classrooms. Many studies have shown
that students who have recess have shown higher test scores than those that
don’t. They have also shown less behavioral problems and higher levels and
lengths of attention (Parker-pope).
So What?
With middle school comes adolescence, a very important time
developmentally in a person’s life, as from one day to the next everything
seems to be changing. As their bodies begin changing physically, it is
important that they have time for exercise and physical activity in order to
keep themselves healthy. Recess can be a time for the students to run around
and participate in different activities which can help them stay in shape (Banks, Meyler). Furthermore,
once kids hit the age of adolescence and enter middle school, they typically
gain more freedom than they had in the past. With recess students can learn to
participate in activities on their own and make more decisions by themselves,
therefore practicing their freedoms. Developmentally, it is important for
adolescents to explore these new found freedoms in order to continue to mature (Recess: Necessity or Nicety).
Similarly, this can be an opportunity for the students to expand their
imaginations, which can further help to develop their brains and thought
processes. In addition, some of the most important parts of a student’s life in
middle school are their friendships and the social aspects of their lives. By
giving students time for recess, it allows for them to socialize with one
another and create more friendships. Building on this further, it gives students
an alternative environment outside of the classroom, where their conversations
may be cut short or more geared towards the academics (Recess: Necessity or Nicety). Despite the fact that
adolescents at the middle school age are maturing in many ways, they are still
kids. The students need breaks and free time within their school day in order
to perform at their highest potential within the classroom (Parker-pope). When I personally
discussed the topic of recess with a few middle school students who mentioned
that they did not have a real recess built into their daily schedule, they each
agreed when one student stated “We are still kids. It’s nice to just get some
play time.” In middle schools and in the age of adolescence, students are in a
unique in-between of adulthood and childhood, and because of that it is
important for schools to cater to both sets of needs.
Recess in Practice
š
Provide variety in
equipment to prevent students from getting bored (Banks, Meyler)
š
Create a wide variety
of different stations the students can participate in to give them ideas (Banks, Meyler)
š Do not require students to
participate in these stations, as they may want to do something else. This
allows for students to explore their imagination as well as freedom
š
The more time a
school can fit in their schedule for recess the better (Banks, Meyler)
š
Just as academics should be incorporated into recess, recess should be incorporated into academics (Go Noodle: https://gonoodle.com/ ) (Banks, Meyler)
š
Create clubs that
encourage similar activities
š ie.: Just Dance Club, Zumba, sports, etc.
š
Integrate programs
into recess
š ie: Mileage Club ( http://www.fitnessfinders.net/Mileage-Club-s/322.htm )
Link to Annotated Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QE_K0EtMcCoG5hGot3F6cpgqnkPRvIg4osen_1TnaEc/edit
