Physical Activity
By: Kate Madden
Compelling and Supporting Questions
Supporting Question: How long do students need to do physical activity for it to benefit their performacne in school?
Supporting Question: What are some benefits of having physical activity in schools and how does it improve student's education?
Background Information
- Physical activity and physical education started around 1820 but was more focused more on gymnastics and human body development. The commitment of physical education began to decline in the late 20th century.
- In 1969, 41% of students walked or biked to school; by 2001, on 13% of students walked or biked to school.
- The focus on academics eliminated physical-education classes and physical activity opportunities. The increasing education demand has resulted in the addition of extra subjects, and more electives.
- Tough financial times has also contributed to the decline of physical education in schools. In California, "75% of PTA members said their children's PE or sports programs were cut or reduced dramaticaly due to budget cuts" (Spark, 2015).
- There has been an increase in child obesity and children's attention toward non-physical activities (ex: video games). This issue has raised awareness that schools need to implement physical activity into their curriculum.
Significance of Physical Activity
During recess, PE, or physically active classroom breaks, students should implement vigourous activites (ex: sports, jog, active games, jump rope) or moderate-intensity activities (ex: walk, play games).
Benefits
-Improve test scores on academic tests
-Increase concentration
-Promotes the transfer of information from short term to long term memory
-Students are able to stay better focused and can remain on task in the classroom, which further enhances the students learning experience
-Reduced anxiety
-Reduced depression
-Decrease in the likelihood of developing obesity. Increasing physical education in kindergarten and first grade by just one hour per week could reduce the number of overweight youth by as much as 10% nationally.
What I learned
- Physical activity is something that is very important to have in elementary schools because of how much it benefits the student's health and academics.
- Students should atleast have 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
- Brains are more active after engaging in physical activity.
- Ways to implement physical activity in schools and in the community
Recommendations for Physical Activity in Schools
There are many things schools can do to promte physical activity in schools:
- Setting policies that require time for organized physical activity
- Encouraging staff to be active because they are role models for the students
- Schools can help students become more physically active by offering programs with quality physical education
- To get the community involved, schools can pass along information in different formats (phone, e-mails, newsletters) to families to educate them about physical activity programs at school and in the community.
- Include families in the school health advisory council
- Schools should provide physical activity programs or workshops to students, families, and school staff
- Schools could work with local community organizations to allow public access to facilite such as gyms and fields.
Sources
Hellmich, N. (2013, May 23). More PE, activity programs needed in schools. Retrieved April 24, 2016, from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2013/05/23/physical-education-schools/2351763/
Mindspark Interactive Network. (2006). Brief History of Physical Education. Retrieved April 24, 2016, from http://www.excite.com/education/subject/brief-history-of-physical-education
Spark. (2015). Gambling with our Future, Part 2: Implications of Removing Physical Education from Schools. Retrieved April 24, 2016, from http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/implications-of-removing-physical-education-from-school/
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2009, August). Youth Physical Activity: The Role of Schools. Retrieved April 24, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/toolkit/factsheet_pa_guidelines_schools.pdf
http://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/news-and-analysis/features/tracking-down-the-optimum-dose-of-exercise/20068939.article (colorful running picture)
http://activeforlife.com/physical-activity-help-kids-build-life-skills/ (kids picture)
http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/healthy-body-healthy-mind-the-benefits-of-physical-activity-in-school/ (fact picture)
http://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/healthypolk/community-priorities/priority-2/ (brain comparrison picture)