Dear Blog Users,
My name is Katy McAndrews. I am a student at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA. I am majoring in Elementary Education. I am currently working on my senior tutorial. This is a research study that is a graduation requirement for all students at Chatham University. The title of my project is 'Teacher View of Recess in the Effective Use of Time in Schools.'
The purpose of my study is to examine the views classroom teachers and pre-service teachers have on recess and compare their views to what research is saying about the pros and cons of recess. In order to do this, I must survey elementary teachers. I am requesting that if you have a few extra minutes it would be greatly appreciated if you could take my survey. It is completely anonymous. Once you have submitted the survey, it will be sent to the Qualtrics databases where I have no possible way to find out who it came from. I will then retrieve the surveys and analyze them to write my paper. Please be advised that those taking the survey must be 18 years of age or older.
Thank you in advance for your help,
Katy McAndrews
To take my survey click the link below. This will take you to the Qualtrics website where my survey is posted.
http://chatham.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_8BSLpebMGSGjElC&SVID=Prod
Vitality of Research
Good Morning, Katie!
I am so glad you are tackilng this very important issue. It seems that, in the face of meeting many mandates (even physical education), recess is viewed as the first "disposable" block of time. As cliched as it sounds, I couldn't imagine doing any effective teaching without that 18 minutes of uncontrolled creativity and physical expression.
I'm curious what some of your teachers would think about having recess prior to lunch? There has been some research that shows the effectiveness of recess is quite large when it is placed prior to a meal, rather than to burn off the calories from food.
Again, great topic of conversation!
TR
Recess before lunch
Hi TR,
My school moved to recess before lunch last year. We liked the research and have found it to work for our kids. Now they eat more, waste less and typically are calmer than when they were coming straight from recess. Now the only problem we have is that when we're ready to pick them up from the cafeteria, they are often still eating. (They only have 15 minutes and since we're 80% free and reduced many kids are waiting in line for a hot lunch.
My feeling on the whole recess or not debate is that people who actually work in the classroom would never get rid of it. Teachers and kids alike need short mental breaks (or for the teachers kid breaks). Unfortunately, people who aren't in the classroom typically get to make these decisions.
CCG
Time and Recess
Katy,
What an interesting topic!! After staying home to raise my children, I recently went back to school to get recertified in NYS and have been subbing. I have noticed that when students are offered time out side (or inside!!) as a reward when they get their work done, they work much more efficiently. I do feel bad for those who work really hard and are unable to complete work because of learning differences. I am a firm believer that a little break is a good thing. As adults we give ourselves breaks to get through difficult tasks and I think it is only fair that we offer the same to our students.
Good Luck!!
NYS Teacher-to-be