Managing+the+school+day

=EDC 102 Issue: The break-down of the school day =


==I. As a group we decided to investigate different components of the school day and how they affect the students. First we looked at the classroom setting and how teachers are utilizing time. Time taken to provide advisory periods and standardized testing is now predominating the school day taking away from other useful tools of learning. Secondly, time alloted to recess or recreation time is diminishing which can affect the child's physical and cognitive growth. Also contributing to the school day is lunch time; unfortunately with a saturated schedule, time for eating has decreased which may also affect children. Lastly we looked at the issue of homework and how extra work extends the school day well into the night. By researching the four components of the school day, classroom time, recess, lunch time and homework we wonder whether or not the break-down of the school day provides the most efficient schedule for a child's potential growth and knowledge. ==

II. Research Summary
==Ari researched advisory. The Advisory period is ideally a time when teachers and students examine “real-life” issues. Advisory programs rely very much on voluntary groupings around a specific issue or purpose. They allow for teachers who are comfortable with the role to assume leadership. Advisory also capitalizes on the natural conversations, which arise between and among people doing something in which they share an interest. It provides an opportunity for the advisory program and the students to take on a clear and important purpose in the life of the school or community. Many advisory programs were developed, initially, by guidance departments and took on a group guidance format. Although this can be very helpful if advised correctly, if taken in the wrong directly advisory can easily become a waste of time standing in the way of more important learning.== ==Lindsey's research focused on the amount of time allotted for lunch during the school day and whether or not it was appropriate for the health and development of children. Research shows that inadequate time to eat discourages children from purchasing and eating complete lunches. Student dissatisfaction with lunches is because they do not have enough time to buy lunch and students will tend to buy snacks instead or skip eating lunch entirely. Providing enough time for students to choose meals and sit with friends to enjoy them was among the top 10 factors identified by health professionals as important to the development of healthy eating behaviors. Socializing during lunch is a desirable activity and should be included in the time allotted. Socializing allows time for students to relate to others, provides a break in routine and allows students to return to afternoon classes refreshed. Providing children with the appropriate time to eat and socialize might not mean increasing the lunch period for schools that currently fall short; other approaches might help. == ==Liz researched another part of the student's school day: homework and the positive and negative effects it can have on children. Homework policy has been a long-running debate in American history which once again is under scrutiny because of the recent increase that is expected of younger children. Although it may seem logical by teachers, parents and the political community, more homework does not mean better academic achievment. In fact, homework can have a damaging effect of the child's growth if other areas in a child's life (such as recreation, family, sleep) are underestimated. Studies show that the more time a child spends on homework does not correlate with higher test scores or grades. ==

II.
**We will discuss how time allotted to different activities throughout the school day is efficient for a child’s learning capabilities. Appropriate time for each section of the day needs to be adhered in order to balance a child’s schedule and provide a balanced lifestyle. Without proper time for basic activities such as recess, lunch time or play time a child may suffer from the over-structured and saturated school day.**

IV. Research Questions and Reference Summaries

 * || **Research Question** || **Researcher** ||
 * 1. || //Is homework really helpful for a child's learning?// || //Liz Leighton// ||
 * 2. || //Are Advisory Programs essential in the school systems or are they simply just a waste of time?// || //Ari Orefice// ||
 * 3. || //@Are schools providing children with sufficient time to eat lunch and socialize?// || //Lindsey Schultz// ||
 * //4.// || //How does recess or recreational time affect a childs classroom behavior?// || //Karina Rodrigues// ||  ||
 * 5. || //Provide link// || //Name of researcher// ||