2. The Effects of Recess on Classroom Behavior Kara Beauregard Erin Curtis Allie Garver Matt Gentile

3. Problem Statement Although recess is an established educational practice, students are often denied this important break during the school day. Jambor and Guddemi (1992) and Pellegrini (1995) identified three major arguments that school systems have used to justify the abolition of recess: (a) There is no time for recess because more instructional time is needed to raise test scores; (b) recess disrupts the work patterns of the children, causing high levels of excitement and subsequent inattentiveness; and (c) recess encourages aggression and antisocial behavior. However, research suggests that lack of a recess break for students may have a negative impact on behavior and learning (Jarrett, 1998). Research also suggests that for most children, uninterrupted instructional time may be a paradoxically inefficient use of instructional time (Jarrett, 1998). Listening, sitting, and working on assigned tasks for prolonged periods are inappropriate for young children—they need to be actively engaged with materials, and integrated types of learning should take place indoors and outdoors (Holmes, 2006). The research literature clearly documents the positive role of recess in maximizing primary school children’s attention to classroom tasks: that is, children are less attentive as the duration between break times increases and, correspondingly, they are more attentive after the breaks than before (Pellegrini & Smith, 1993). More research needs to be conducted in order to identify the relationship between recess and classroom behavior in order for instructional time to be used most efficiently. Our research will indicate whether teachers perceive students who are allowed recess to be more focused in the classroom and will contribute to our overall understanding of recess’s effect on classroom behavior.

4. Hypothesis Students who are given a recess break during the school day show increased levels of focus and appropriate in class behavior compared to students who are not given a recess break.

5. Sample All participants enrolled in EDU738 at Salem State University during the Spring 2012 semester and was found using convenience sampling. Participants are, at the time of the study, pursuing a masters’ degree in an education-related field at Salem State University. Participants reside in the Massachusetts area and are most likely employed in Massachusetts schools. Participation was voluntary.

6. Research Design Participants were first contacted via email and asked to participate in our research study. Through this email, they were asked to send a signed informed consent form in reply if they choose to participate. Participants were then be sent a link to the questionnaire which was hosted by Survey Monkey. The questionnaire should have taken participants between 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

7. Instruments Participants completed a brief questionnaire regarding their teaching experience, recess policies of the schools that they work at, as well as their students’ behavior and focus before and after recess. This questionnaire consisted of 26 multiple choice questions and 2 open response questions, which were all written by members of the research group conducting this study. This questionnaire was hosted by an online survey-hosting website, SurveyMonkey and can be found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/recessbreak

8. Questionnaire Results Results are presented in crosstabular format, however the open response answers have been omitted in order to maintain full confidentiality.

9. #1 1. I have read and understand this information and agree to participate in this study. Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Yes 100.0%11 No 0.0%0 answered question 11 skipped question 0

10. #2 2. Please choose the answer that best describes you. Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count I am currently teaching. 63.6%7 I have worked as a teacher in the past but do not currently. 18.2%2 I have never worked as a teacher. 18.2%2 answered question 11 skipped question 0

11. #3 3. How long have you been teaching? Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Less than 1 year 14.3%1 1-3 years 42.9%3 4-6 years 28.6%2 7-10 years 0.0%0 More than 10 years 14.3%1 answered question 7 skipped question 4

12. #4 4. How would you describe the district you teach in? Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Urban 14.3%1 Suburban 71.4%5 Rural 14.3%1 answered question 7 skipped question 4

13. #5 5. How would you describe the school in which you teach? Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Public 71.4%5 Private 14.3%1 Charter 14.3%1 answered question 7 skipped question 4

14. #6 6. What is the grade level in which you are currently teaching? Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Preschool 0.0%0 Kindergarten 0.0%0 First 50.0%3 Second 0.0%0 Third 0.0%0 Fourth 0.0%0 Fifth 0.0%0 Middle School 16.7%1 High School 33.3%2 answered question 6 skipped question 5

15. #7 7. How many students do you have in your classroom? Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count 15-20 50.0%3 21-25 50.0%3 26-30 0.0%0 30 or more 0.0%0 answered question 6 skipped question 5

16. #8 8. How many boys/ girls? Answer Options Response AverageResponse TotalResponse Count Boys 11.67706 Girls 6.67406 answered question 6 skipped question 5 NumberBoysGirls 178 2912 3173 471 5187 6129

17. #9 9. Does your school have a building level recess policy? Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Yes 50.0%3 No 50.0%3 answered question 6 skipped question 5

18. #10 10. If recess is not offered at your school, what is the reason? (Check all that apply) Answer Options Response Percent No available outdoor space 0.0% No available indoor space 0.0% Safety and security issues 100.0% Not enough time during the school day 100.0% Lack of adults to supervise recess 100.0% Other (please specify) answered question skipped question NumberOther (please specify) 1Special Education Program

19. #11 11. Please choose the answer that best describes the recess policy at your school. Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Students have at least one recess break during the school day. 66.7%4 Students do not have recess, but they do have breaks during the school day. 33.3%2 Students have no recess or other breaks during the school day. 0.0%0 answered question 6 skipped question 5

20. #12 12. How many times a day do your students get a recess break? Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count 1 25.0%1 2 75.0%3 3 0.0%0 Other (please specify) 0 answered question 4 skipped question 7

21. #13 13. What time of day does recess occur? (Check all that apply) Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Early morning (before 11am) 50.0%2 Mid morning/ afternoon (11am- 2pm) 100.0%4 Afternoon (after 2pm) 0.0%0 answered question 4 skipped question 7

22. #14 14. How long is recess? (If more than one recess break during the day, check all that apply) Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Less than 10 minutes 0.0%0 10-15 minutes 75.0%3 15-20 minutes 25.0%1 20-30 minutes 0.0%0 More than 30 minutes 0.0%0 answered question 4 skipped question 7

23. #15 15. Are your students ever kept inside during recess? Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Yes 50.0%2 No 50.0%2 answered question 4 skipped question 7

24. #16 16. For what reasons are your students kept in for recess? (Check all that apply) Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count To make up work missed due to absence 100.0%1 To make up work not completed during class 100.0%1 For test retake 100.0%1 As punishment for behavioral issues 100.0%1 Other (please specify) 1 answered question 1 skipped question 10 NumberOther (please specify) 1Rain

25. #17 17. On an average day, what classroom activities are your students engaged in before recess? Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Sitting at desk, listening to teacher 0.0%0 Independent work 50.0%1 Group work 100.0%2 Free choice 0.0%0 Other (please specify) 3 answered question 2 skipped question 9 NumberOther (please specify) 1lunch & math 2 Not sure as some other teacher is with this class. 3snack/lunch

26. #18 18. On an average day, what activities are you students engaged in after recess? Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Sitting at desk, listening to teacher 66.7%2 Independent work 100.0%3 Group work 100.0%3 Free choice 0.0%0 Other (please specify) 2 answered question 3 skipped question 8 NumberOther (please specify) 1Specials & Snack 2The lesson is very structured with an opener, a sharing activity, an instructional activity and a follow up activity.

27. #19 19. On an average day, how would you describe your students' behavior in the classroom before recess? Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Very good (students follow directions, are respectful and polite, don't speak out of turn) 0.0%0 Good (students follow most directions, are respectful and polite, may speak out of turn) 100.0%4 Fair (students follow some directions, may be slightly disrespectful and impolite, may speak out of turn) 0.0%0 Poor (students following little or no directions, are disrespectful and impolite, frequently speak out of turn 0.0%0 answered question 4 skipped question 7

28. #20 20. On an average day, how would you describe your students' behavior in the classroom after recess? Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Very good (students follow directions, are respectful and polite, don't speak out of turn) 25.0%1 Good (students follow most directions, are respectful and polite, may speak out of turn) 50.0%2 Fair (students follow some directions, may be slightly disrespectful and impolite, may speak out of turn) 25.0%1 Poor (students following little or no directions, are disrespectful and impolite, frequently speak out of turn 0.0%0 answered question 4 skipped question 7

29. #21 21. During an average week, how frequently do your students display inappropriate behavior before recess? Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Every day 0.0%0 Most days 0.0%0 Some days 100.0%4 Never 0.0%0 answered question 4 skipped question 7

30. #22 22. During an average week, how frequently do your students display inappropriate behavior after recess? Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Every day 0.0%0 Most days 0.0%0 Some days 100.0%4 Never 0.0%0 answered question 4 skipped question 7

31. #23 23. Do you think that a recess break has any effect on your students' behavior? Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Yes 100.0%4 No 0.0%0 answered question 4 skipped question 7

32. #24 24. Please choose the answer that best describes your thoughts on the effects of recess on your students' behavior. Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Students show more inappropriate behavior in the classroom when they have a recess break. 25.0%1 Students show less inappropriate behavior in the classroom when they have a recess break. 75.0%3 Students' behavior in the classroom is not affected by recess. 0.0%0 answered question 4 skipped question 7

33. #25 25. Recess should be a part of the school day for all elementary students. Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Agree 90.0%9 Slightly agree 10.0%1 Neutral 0.0%0 Slightly disagree 0.0%0 Disagree 0.0%0 answered question 10 skipped question 1

34. #26 26. Students who have missed or not completed class work or homework should be kept in for recess. Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Agree 10.0%1 Slightly agree 30.0%3 Neutral 0.0%0 Slightly disagree 20.0%2 Disagree 40.0%4 answered question 10 skipped question 1

35. #27 27. Recess should be taken away from students as punishment for misbehavior. Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Agree 10.0%1 Slightly agree 40.0%4 Neutral 10.0%1 Slightly disagree 10.0%1 Disagree 30.0%3 answered question 10 skipped question 1

36. #28 28. Recess is an important element of classroom management. Answer Options Response PercentResponse Count Agree 55.6%5 Slightly agree 22.2%2 Neutral 11.1%1 Slightly disagree 0.0%0 Disagree 11.1%1 answered question 9 skipped question 2

37. Summary of our Findings Our study found that elementary teachers believe recess does have an effect on their students level of appropriate classroom behavior. Elementary teachers feel that their students show less inappropriate behavior after they engage in a recess break lasting between 10- 15 minutes in duration. The study showed that our one middle school teacher’s perception was the opposite to that of the elementary teachers. The middle school teacher perceived his or her students level of classroom behavior as being appropriate before recess and observed an increase in the level of inappropriate behavior after recess. This teacher did report that their students were with another teacher before recess so the level of appropriate behavior may be skewed for this study.