InstantInstant RecessRecess InstantInstant RecessRecess

A partnership betweenA partnership betweenW.D. Williams Elementary School W.D. Williams Elementary School

&&Warren Wilson CollegeWarren Wilson College

Robert A. Swoap, Ph.D.

Professor and Chair

Dept of Psychology

What is What is Instant Instant RecessRecess??

What is What is Instant Instant RecessRecess??

What is Instant Recess?

• Instant Recess (IR) is a 10-minute physical activity break designed for everyday use by everybody, anywhere, anytime, in any attire. IR– is a unique fusion of popular culture and science

to promote physical and mental fitness.– involves movement of major muscle groups to

increase blood flow throughout the body & burn calories.

– re-invigorates teachers and students to feel more alert and increase their energy levels.

What Instant Recess is NOT…

What is What is Instant RecessInstant Recess??

Short demoShort demo

What is What is Instant RecessInstant Recess??

Short demoShort demo

Get Out of Those Seats!!!!

http://vimeo.com/24857489

http://www.youtube.com/gramercync#p/a/u/1/g09gRGqx4ZE

Why Why Instant RecessInstant Recess??"We've engineered exercise out of our daily "We've engineered exercise out of our daily lives. Now we have to engineer it back in.“*lives. Now we have to engineer it back in.“*

Why Why Instant RecessInstant Recess??"We've engineered exercise out of our daily "We've engineered exercise out of our daily lives. Now we have to engineer it back in.“*lives. Now we have to engineer it back in.“*

*Shellie Pfohl, executive director of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, & Nutrition

Why Why Instant RecessInstant Recess??

“Getting kids to sit shoulder to shoulder for six hours a day is not going to do it,” Dr. Yancey said. “Even in schools that still have 30-minute periods of physical

education or recess, many children get only about five

minutes of moderate to vigorous activity.”

Why Why Instant RecessInstant Recess??

“Getting kids to sit shoulder to shoulder for six hours a day is not going to do it,” Dr. Yancey said. “Even in schools that still have 30-minute periods of physical

education or recess, many children get only about five

minutes of moderate to vigorous activity.”

Improved fitness and weightIncreased concentrationIncreased test scoresIncreased positive attitudePositive effects on immune system

Fewer unnecessary RN visitsDecreased disruptive behavior

Benefits of Physical Activity

Courtesy of the California Department of Education, Nutrition Services Division

Key findings of the CA Dept. of Education (CDE) study: Higher achievement is associated with higher levels of fitness.

Key finding of KU study (2008): 10-minute activity breaks, usually done to music, led to improved scores in math, spelling and composition among the participants. The students also increased their activity levels outside school, on weekdays and weekends, and gained less weight than those in the schools who did not institute fitness breaks.

Physical Fitness and Physical Fitness and Academic PerformanceAcademic Performance

Why Why Instant Recess NOWInstant Recess NOW??Why Why Instant Recess NOWInstant Recess NOW??

What has changed?

1980 2008

Children w/ obesity (ages 6-11) 6.5% 19.6%

Overweight adolescents (ages 12-19)

5.0% 18.1%

then

then

then

then

now

now now

now

What’s great about Instant Recess?

• Use it anywhere!– School, home, offices, etc.

• No need to change clothes!– We recommend wearing clothes that let you

move, but that can be what you wear to school.

• Can be used within the class day• All fitness levels welcome!

– All moves can be modified to a person’s own ability

• Proposal– The proposed study will test the effect of

doing 10-minute physical activity breaks in classrooms.

– This would likely start after the Christmas break and go for 12 weeks.

– We will look at several outcomes (e.g., on-task vs. off-task behavior, physical activity, fitness variables).

– We will come to your school and collect information before you start the program, periodically throughout the 12 weeks, and at

the end of the 12 weeks. Any classroom data collection will be unobtrusive.

How to incorporate How to incorporate Instant RecessInstant Recess into into

the classroomthe classroom

How to incorporate How to incorporate Instant RecessInstant Recess into into

the classroomthe classroom

Incorporating Instant Recess into your day

• For teachers:– Use it in your classroom, whether to wake

students up at the beginning of the day, late morning, or early afternoon when students tend to get sleepy

– Use it as a recess substitute on a rainy day– Initiate a contest for the students to come up

with their own Instant Recess moves– Reward those with good behavior in the

classroom to lead the Instant Recess break• For administrators:

– Use it as a refreshing way to break up long meetings

Classroom Goals• Keep track of number of Instant

Recess breaks per week.• You and your students can create

your very own Instant Recess breaks with your own music.

• Teachers can become Instant Recess role models.

• Aim to include 10 minutes of physical activity each morning and afternoon session. (Find natural breaks in the curriculum or usual times when students tend to have trouble focusing.)

• Everyone can go at their own pace and add their own style to each of the moves, so there’s no “right” way to do it.* *except to make sure your posture and movements prevent

injury

• Create some new moves using your favorite music. Use “old school” moves like “the electric slide” or have the kids design their own moves to submit for possible inclusion in the next Instant Recess DVD.

“I have no rhythm, how can I do this?”

“I can’t seem to find the time to use Instant Recess.”

• Since it’s only 10 minutes long, you can use it to start the school day or to wake the kids up mid-morning and after lunch.

• Its format is easy to use on a computer, portable DVD player, or a boom-box.

• The benefits from Instant Recess more than make up for the 10 minutes invested. A 10-minute activity break improved on-task behavior by an average of 20% among the least focused students! (East Carolina Univ study)

Instant Recess is a Way of Life

• Instant Recess is not just for the kids. Adults need recess just as much

• Instant Recess is about changing our lifestyle to incorporate bursts of 10-minute activity breaks to keep all of us healthier and happier.