Primary Professionals

Hello everyone! TGIF!!

Just a few updates from the Primary Professionals team…Last week, we compiled our literature review of scholarly articles that support the need for physical activity in schools. Overwhelmingly, we have found that research and evidence indicates that physical movement in school should be a best practice because it is effective.  Here is a preview:

Research shows that when children and adolescents participate in the recommended level of physical activity-at least 60 minutes per day- there are multiple health benefits (Centers for Disease Control).  Scientific data on brain research already indicates that cognitive development occurs in tandem with mobility and blood circulation.  In addition, there is mounting evidence that physical activity can improve academic achievement including grades and standardized test scores (Centers for Disease Control).  Lastly, research suggests that physical activity can have a positive impact on cognitive skills, attitudes, and academic behavior, all of which are important components of academic performance and a balanced classroom (Centers for Disease Control).  Ever increasing obesity rates, and sedentary lifestyles (video games, phones, social media) contribute to many of the mounting health problems facing children and adolescents today.  Now, more than ever, it is critical that educators and administration keep students moving through physical education classes, recess, extra-curricular activities, and classroom-based physical activity (brain breaks). Through our review of scholarly articles, we have compiled a review of literature supporting the need to keep students physically active in schools and the evidence supporting these claims.

There are five major parts to any action research project:

1.     Problem

2.     Literature

3.     Methodology

4.     Data

5.     Results

This week we have been working on the “methodology” for our action research project.  A few things we are considering for our methodologies:

-Where will our action research project take place?

-What activities and steps will be needed to produce the data?

-Develop the action research design (qualitative, quantitative, both?)

-Describe the data you will collect.

Our team believes we will be using both quantitative and qualitative methods for our action research project.  This will include surveys for our students to fill out and data collection for observable behaviors. Stay tuned for our fine-tuned methodologies section for our project!

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  The association between school based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance.  Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2010.