Recess within Middle Schools

 

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