Extra Curricular Activities
Megan Gilmore
Mrs. Jones
AP English 11
January 30, 2012
Students’ Behavior and Extra Curricular Activities
Over the course of my high school career, I have encountered many different types of people and have learned that the opinions of each are as varied as the individuals they correspond with. Every single one has his or her own perception about staying after school for a multitude of reasons and activities. Some, like me, have a stronger opinion than others. I maintain the belief that, when a student stays after school, he not only experiences benefits mentally but also physically. A number of researchers have questioned, hypothesized, and examined the effects of after-school activities on children’s health as well as on their grades. Studies have been completed over the past few decades, and many interesting facts have been discovered. One example being “a big increase in the number of school children participating in after-school programs: 8.4 million youngsters compared with 6.5 million in 2004,” according to Home Alone.
This dramatic increase in the number of students staying after school can be the result of several things. One possibility is that transportation is readily available to the students if a parent or guardian is unable to pick up the child. Students could also be coming to the realization that staying after school gives them energy to go home and actually finish the homework that was assigned. For example, let’s say that a student loves playing basketball but the school doesn’t offer a team. This student is missing out on the opportunity to exercise both his body and his mind. Now if the school did offer a basketball team and the student joined, every time he had to stay after to practice, he stimulates his body, which includes his brain. Then, when practice was over, he would have the energy and brain stimulation to finish his homework.
When choosing a school for their children, many parents have to take into consideration
Mrs. Jones
AP English 11
January 30, 2012
Students’ Behavior and Extra Curricular Activities
Over the course of my high school career, I have encountered many different types of people and have learned that the opinions of each are as varied as the individuals they correspond with. Every single one has his or her own perception about staying after school for a multitude of reasons and activities. Some, like me, have a stronger opinion than others. I maintain the belief that, when a student stays after school, he not only experiences benefits mentally but also physically. A number of researchers have questioned, hypothesized, and examined the effects of after-school activities on children’s health as well as on their grades. Studies have been completed over the past few decades, and many interesting facts have been discovered. One example being “a big increase in the number of school children participating in after-school programs: 8.4 million youngsters compared with 6.5 million in 2004,” according to Home Alone.
This dramatic increase in the number of students staying after school can be the result of several things. One possibility is that transportation is readily available to the students if a parent or guardian is unable to pick up the child. Students could also be coming to the realization that staying after school gives them energy to go home and actually finish the homework that was assigned. For example, let’s say that a student loves playing basketball but the school doesn’t offer a team. This student is missing out on the opportunity to exercise both his body and his mind. Now if the school did offer a basketball team and the student joined, every time he had to stay after to practice, he stimulates his body, which includes his brain. Then, when practice was over, he would have the energy and brain stimulation to finish his homework.
When choosing a school for their children, many parents have to take into consideration
Cited: “Home Alone.” New York Times. 20 Oct. 2009: A30(L). Infotrac Newsstand. Web. 5 Jan. 2012. Lee, Shumow. “Academic Effects of After-School Programs.” Champaign, IL: ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education. Print. Narine, Shari. "Federal funding for after school program." Alberta Sweetgrass Oct. 2010: 6. Infotrac Newsstand. Web. 5 Jan. 2012. O’Dea, James. “The Effect of Extra-Curricular Activities on Academic Achievement.” Drake University; 1994. Print. Varian, Bill. "Kid programs returning; Commissioners agree to draw up a plan for after school programs in 18 more parks." St. Petersburg Times [St. Petersburg, FL] 25 Aug. 2011: 1B. Infotrac Newsstand. Web. 5 Jan. 2012.