The effects of Recess on

student’s behavior in third grade

Cletra PetersED 702.22Fall 2009

Table of Contents

• Statement of the Problem

• Review of Related Literature

• Statement of the Hypothesis

Statement of the Problem

Recess times are being shortened or eliminated altogether. Students do not have the opportunity to release their excess energy and in turn become a distraction in class and this affects their behavior.

Theorists

L. Vygotsky

• Full cognitive development requires social interaction.

J. Lave • Learning requires social interaction and

collaboration.

Review of Literature

• Physical education alone is not enough, students need more physical activity. Two gym periods a week does not cut it. Kahan, David (2008)

• The importance of play time for students in regard to the development of their emotional, social, cognitive and physical development. Chmelynski, Carol (2006)

Review of Literature

• 16% of our students are overweight due to poor eating habits and lack of physical activity. Parsad, B., and Lewis, L (2006)

• Schools ending their recess time and chalking it up to offering students a gym period. Schachter, Ron, (2005)

• Supervised recess vs. unsupervised recess Lewis, Timothy J., Colvin, Geoff & Sugai, George (2000)

Review of Literature

• Students are more attentive and participate more when recess is given and is outdoors. Holmes, Robyn M., Pellegrini, Anthony D. & Schmidt, Susan L (2006)

• Students relationships are formed during recess time. Leff, Stephen S & Lakin, Rebecca (2005)

Review of Literature

• Students who have recess are given unstructured free time and choose to interact with their peers more than with adults. They are more sophisticated on specific social cognitive measures, are more popular with their peers and are overall higher achievers. Pellegrini, Anthony D & Bohn, Catherine M. (2005)

Review of Literature• Students not usually given recess time are more

fidgety and have a shorter attention span than their counterparts who are given recess periods. Jarrett, Olga S., Maxwell, Darlene M., Dickerson, Carrie., Hoge, Pamela, Davies, Gwen & Yetley, Amy (1998)

• The effects of adequate recess time & indoors vs. outdoors Pellegrini, A.D, Davis Huberty, Patti & Jones, Ithel (1995)

Statement of Hypothesis

• Providing 25 students at P.S Y with an adequate amount of recess time will have a positive effect on student’s behavior in the classroom.

The End

Those who think they have no time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.  ~Edward Stanley