The Importance of Keeping Gym Classes in School

The Importance of Keeping Gym Classes in School Alli Moos Ivy Tech Community College Education 101

INTASC, Description, & Rationale �INTASC Standard #5 – Application of Content: �The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues. �Description: For this assignment I look into the pros and cons of keeping or cutting gym classes from schools. �Rationale: To document my understanding of INTASC Standard #5 I review options on how to keep gym classes in the schools.

Keep Gym Classes! �No Child Left Behind Act – cutting recess and gym to focus on standardized testing �More time in “core” subjects �Obesity on the rise

Pros of Cutting Gym �Saves money for the school’s budget �Allows more time for reading, writing, and math �Allows students to spend more time “hitting the books” �Opens more teaching positions for core teachers

Cons to Cutting Gym �Obesity on the rise �Students don’t learn how to care for their bodies (both physically and nutritionally) �Students have trouble paying attention �Students learn important skills

Gym Class �Stretching �Running �Swimming �Sport Skills

Health Class �Nutrition �Proper Hygiene �Body Parts (muscles, bones, and organs) �Diseases & How to Prevent

Questions �Do you feel that gym and �Does cutting gym and health classes are health classes for important? budgets outweigh the fact that academic test scores could improve?

Resources �University of Arizona (2013). Should Schools Make Gym Class a Core Subject? Health & Medicine. http: //www. futurity. org/should-schools-make-gymclass-a-core-subject/ �Baker, A. , & Yee, V. (2012, July 7). Gym class finds itself on sideline. New York Times, pp 19.