Recess In Schools

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Recommended: Keeping Recess in Schools

Imagine life as a child growing up and having to experience school without recess breaks. Since 1970, recess and physical education in America has dramatically decreased. Twenty two percent of schools have decreased recess and physical education time within the past six years in order to cram in more recess time. However recess and PE is not only decreasing in the elementary schools but is almost nonexistent in grades 7-12. As 7-12 graders do not get breaks throughout the day a student’s schedule begins to be extremely stressful and not healthy on the mind. In fact with only 4 states across the U.S. that require mandatory recess, it is a valuable reason why obesity in America has increased. Less than half of America’s youth meet the daily
This solution provides students with a short time to get their mind off of school and get some exercise. Also short breaks help decrease stress levels and help increase test scores. All of this is happening whale the student gets to relax for a short period of time and get their mind off of school (Dairygood.org). However, this solution has many issues and would not completely solve the issue of not enough child exercise. Short breaks do not provide long enough periods of time where students can participate in physical games. Also breaks at the end of every hour would constantly disrupt the learning process and often force the teacher to rush threw a lesson in order to get it done before the break at the end of the hour. If the only physical activity kids have during the school day was in five minute increments by the time one started it would almost be time to end. Lastly, five minute breaks would take too much time away from the school day and would not provide the student with a P.E. class. In conclusion, five minute breaks at the end of the hour would be a good solvent to the issue, but would not be the classes as well. With this solution students from kindergarten threw twelve grade are ensured with time to take their mind off of school and for time to ensure that they receive the physical activity that the body needs. With this solution kids have plenty of time to play the recess games that get them active and their mind engaged throughout the day. Also with the recommended amount of activity being 60 minutes a day giving recess and P.E. time for students will get them to stay in shape and decrease the issue of adolescent obesity in America. By students participating in Physical Education classes it provides students with a background and knowledge of sports. “My life wouldn’t be where it is today without that PE class. PE in schools is as important as the other subjects. PE needs to be considered a real class. Without it, we are doing a disservice to our children. I’d like to see physical education as a much bigger priority in schools.” –Hershel Walker. When schools do not give students the opportunity to participate in P.E. it is taking away the chance of making sports an opportunity in their life. So in conclusion, the best way to fix the issue of adolescence not receiving enough exercise and physical activity each day is to provide all students with a specific time for recess/breaks each

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