ABC NEWS News 7. Controversy Over Cutback of Recess

[NUKE209]

[NEW WORDS]

  ♧ controversy : n. 논쟁, 논의   -a. controversial

  ♧ recess : n. (통상적인 일, 활동간의) 일시적 휴식

  ♧ trade A for B : A와 B를 바꾸다, 교환하다

  ♧ cut back on A : A를 줄이다, 삭감하다

  ♧ coop up : 좁은 곳에 가두다   -n. coop : 닭장, 우리  -v. 닭장이나 우리에 가두다

  ♧ standardized test : n. 평준화 시험

  ♧ applaud : v. 박수 갈채하다, 성원하다, 찬성하다

  ♧ inherent : a. 고유의 본래부터의, 타고난

  ♧ take precedence over A : ~보다 우월하다, 우선하다

  ♧ move : n. 조처, 수단

  ♧ resolve : v. 해결하다, 결심/결의하다

  ♧ forego : v. = forgo : ~없이 지내다, 삼가다, 보류하다

  ♧ bottom line : n. 가장 중요한 사항, 핵심

  ♧ fidgety : a. 안전부절 못하는, 조바심하는, 까다로운

  ♧ sedentary : a. 앉아 있는, 앉아 일하는

  ♧ curb : v. 억제하다, 막다

  ♧ obesity : n. 비만, 비대

  ♧ convince A to do B : A로 하여금 B하도록 설득하다

  ♧ bring A back : A를 되돌리다, 부활시키다

  Many children are being forced to give up one of their favorite parts of the school day That, of course, would be recess. Trading time in the school yard for more time in the classroom would seem like a reasonable way to try to improve student performance, but some educators appear to disagree.

  Like any active fourth-grader, Kevin Johnson loves time to just play. So, he wasn't  happy when his Orlando area school cut back on recess.

  "You get to talk and everything and have fun. And you're not cooped up in a classroom."

 Third through fifth graders here now get recess only on days when they don't have physical education. The principal says all educators are under increased pressure to make sure students pass standardized tests.

  "We must have a minimum 90-minute block of direct instruction reading with our teachers a day, plus, at least 60 minutes of math. Then you throw in the social studies and the science curriculum. There's an awful lot going on here."
  Some parents applaud the school's move.

  "There's not enough inherent benefit in recess that it should take precedence over another topic or subject in school."

  It's estimated 40 percent of schools nationwide have cut back on recess, or considered doing so. Health and education researchers say it's a bad move, that recess teaches social skills, how to play fairly and resolve conflict. And they say foregoing recess may actually hurt children academically.

  "The bottom line is that they tend to get fidgety and off-task in the classroom if they've not had recess."

 With so many kids sedentary and overweight, recess may be especially important. It may not burn many calories, but doctors say it could help develop a habit of physical activity, which is crucial to curbing obesity. Arguments like this are beginning to convince some schools to bring recess back.