Many schools have made a decision to limit or cut back the
physical education curriculum in favor of more classroom time.
The pressure on the schools to bring up test scores has created
a system of cramming rather than true education. These schools
have decided that studying for a test is a better use of time
than the slow and patient process of layering content,
experiences, rest and exercise. The sad outcome is a generation
of students who are burned out on school and have no creative
problem solving skills at their disposal. There are many ways
that a student may arrive at school unprepared for learning.
Physical and emotional stresses abound and poverty, of which 20%
of American children live in, only contributes more stress.
Distressed children typically experience constricted breathing
and trauma can negatively affect memory. (p.44, Jenson) Exercise
is the cheapest and most effective ways to lower stress
hormones. For example the hormone cortisol can aide in providing
sort term energy in a traumatic sit