Activity Breaks in the Classroom for Academic Excellence

Abstract

We are Sarah An and Katie Chan, nursing students at the University of Michigan. We partnered with Project Healthy Schools to work with the Detroit Public Schools Community District. Together, we are launching a pilot program at two schools based off the Take10! model, which incorporates 10 minute physical activity breaks during class time in order to improve focus and academic performance. We are looking to compare on-task behavior and lesson retention in two second grade classes, one that participated in the Take10! model and one that did not. Our plan is to use the second grade program at one school and adapt it for the 7th grade at the other school. We believe that presenting a case study assessing the impact of the Take10! model with supportive positive evidence to the staff at the end of the semester will help to encourage other teachers to participate in the program next semester.