Acing Effective Learning Through the Power of Recess

In-service Course
3 Credits; 45 Hours
Instructor: Samantha Markowitz
Instructor Email: SMarkowitzLIIPS@gmail.com

Course Description: Recess is far more than a break from classroom instruction—it is a critical component of children’s cognitive, emotional, physical, and social development. This course helps teachers understand the academic and behavioral benefits of recess through research from leading organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Participants explore how unstructured play and physical activity strengthen attention, memory, executive functioning, self-regulation, and peer relationships, all of which directly support student learning.

Through ten practical assignments, teachers learn how to design high-quality recess experiences, integrate movement throughout the school day, collaborate with recess supervisors, and advocate for recess as an essential component of whole-child education. By the end of the course, educators will have a toolkit of evidence-based strategies, observation protocols, and communication resources to ensure recess is protected, valued, and leveraged as a powerful tool for academic success.