Balanced School Day       

              The rationale behind the Balanced School Day is that it will improve academic achievement by increasing time–on task in the classroom setting.  The Balanced School Day schedule divides the school day into three 100– minute blocks of instructional time.  Two longer nutrition and activity breaks are provided in the morning and afternoon instead of the traditional mid morning/mid afternoon recess and noon hour lunch.  This schedule creates equally balanced teaching/learning blocks in the school day.  The two nutrition/activity breaks of 40-55 minutes allow time for eating and activity in both the morning and afternoon.  Nutrition breaks provide 20-25 minutes for eating and 20-30 minutes for activity.

 The benefits of the Balanced School Day are three-fold:  Academic, Nutrition, and Physical Activity.

Academic

•  More instruction time with less interruptions allows teaching and learning to occur at an optimum level

•  Longer lessons to continue without interruption (literacy blocks, science and art classes) 

Nutrition

•  Research indicates that children need frequent food breaks during the day

•  Students who are nutritionally satisfied can concentrate better and more effectively

Physical Activity

•  Allows students two opportunities of 20-25 minutes a day of uninterrupted play

•  Quality exercise time energizes students, helps them to concentrate on school work and promotes a healthy lifestyle 

•  Opportunities for middle years’ students to mentor younger students in activities