Praxis Final Thesis

This project examines how movement impacts elementary school students who don’t have access to recess outside every day. To understand the impact that movement has on these students, I collected data by observing a third-grade classroom and taking field notes, and by conducting interviews with teachers at Apple Academy to learn more about their classroom experiences and how their students interact in their classrooms with and without outdoor recess. I then created a lesson plan that incorporated movement within lessons throughout the school day, encouraging students to expend energy. Research shows the positive impact movement has on elementary school students and the connection movement can have within lessons in curricula.  These findings demonstrated the importance of having students within elementary schools move during their day and how that can greatly impact their academics and ability to participate in classes.