Breaks During the School Day: Good or Bad?

Q1. Typically how long is the attention span of your students?
A1. Thirty minutes is usually the amount of time we can hold their attention, however testing takes around 60-70 minutes without real breaks for the end of the year. Therefore we try to teach that long so that they build up the stamina. 
Q2. Do you notice a change in students concentration if they are given a break?
A2. Yes, I really do. The same change in concentration can be seen in adults as well.
Q3. Are there times in the classroom where your students get up and move around to learn new things?
A3. We change classes every hour. My students also do a lot of group work, educational exercise, learning games, action play, drama, and much more to keep them engaged. 
Q4. If you do, would you consider this a mental break?
A4. Yes, some of my students even have to do cross overs or push-ups against the wall or breathing exercises as well to get a full mental break. 
Q5. How often do you give students breaks? 
A5. This depends on the class and the activity they are doing. You can tell when students need it. Some kinds just need to be placed in an area where they can stand up while they work. Most of the time however we just see how class goes and the activities they have to work on that day.
Q6. Do you believe it is better to teach non-stop at a high level for long periods of time, or do you believe it is better to have large chunks of time broken up by periods of strenuous learning followed by a period of resting or a break? Why? 
A6. I believe breaks are great! It is important to learn and have fun at the same time. 
Q7. Have you noticed an increase of children who have ADD or ADHD? 
A7. I have noticed society as a whole wanting a quick fix for energy levels and attention. However, I have seen several of my students who became very successful after being properly diagnosed by a doctor and given the proper medication. 
Q8. How long does it take to refocus your students after they have been given a break?
A8. It does depend on the break given, but in most cases it does not take long at all. 
Q9. Is the push for academic excellence measured in test scores hurting or helping the children in your classroom? 
A9. We need to challenge our students as much as possible. The emphasis on the test scores are great on both students and teachers alike. The push for high test scores are good as long as the children are playing hard as they work hard. 
Q10. Have you noticed any cut backs in the amount of breaks children are allowed?
A10. They have tried to cut back on the parties, however you can usually find excuses to do neat group actives and little celebrations. Our recess time has not been changed. We still get 20-30 minutes a day. 
Q11. Has the push for good scores impacted your teaching methods?
A11. You must always stay on a good path to ensure you cover all the standards before testing. The scores are a huge part of a teacher's evaluation. When you have a team of teachers it really helps with making plans and coming up with fun ideas for the whole grade level. I am blessed to be a part of a great grade level.