Effects+of+Extra+Curricular+Activities+on+Classroom+Behavior


 * Research Question: How do extracurricular activities affect a student's overall behavior?**
 * Author: Tiffany Gagliardo**

Clemmitt, M. (2012, January 27). Youth volunteerism. //CQ Researcher//, //22//, 77-100. Accessed 11-13-2013. Retrieved from http://0-library.cqpress.com.helin.uri.edu/cqresearcher/Youth Volunteerism [|http://0-library.cqpress.com.helin.uri.edu/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2012012700&type=hitlist&num=1#.UoOpxPmshQa] CQ Researcher Report

Summary

When people hear extracurricular activities they commonly think of sports and clubs. Both affect a student’s behavior but so does volunteer activities. Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, Louisiana in 2005 and since then, volunteers have been continuously working since then to rebuild this state to its former glory. Due to the extreme damage, Tulane University joined the 89% of colleges that require volunteer services for every enrolled student. “Professor Marc A. Musik, associate dean for student affairs in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas, Austin says volunteering makes people more civic minded”. By that he means the active participants may have a different outlook on certain aspects. He believes this because volunteers take organizations that they have previously helped into a different view. This is done since the volunteer knows and has contributed in some way to service that organization. Another professor states that volunteering helps students “meet people unlike those they know and learn to know them as individuals”. When a person volunteers, every person there is working towards the same goal. While in this process, people are forced to interact amongst each other to make the most effective usage of their time. Leslie Lenkowsky, a professor at Indiana University contradicted the previous speakers with her belief that volunteering is not done as a form of civic engagement but as a way to get involved in something that people have an opinion about. Certain people like Lenkowsky feel strongly that people already volunteer because they want to become involved and have the needed motivation. Regardless of the various views, requiring volunteer hours is still not mandated by every school in America.

My reaction

After reading this article, I realized that volunteering can help a student’s behavior in the classroom, amongst other people, and in the outside world in many ways. Extracurricular activities can motivate participation in the classroom by having the student learn the ways of patience and respect. Through volunteering, students can learn to appreciate everything they are given in the classroom to assist in their learning careers. Especially after seeing the destruction, they can realize that many other students are not as fortunate and have many obstacles to go through. Obstacles can include not having enough textbooks, enough teachers, or even a classroom to meet in. When people volunteer, they meet other people who are willing to help the community in the same way that person is. I personally feel that people who make the effort to volunteer are usually more dedicated to their studies and willing to help others when trying to learn. People who volunteer, I feel are more willing and active in the community. Volunteers in my opinion are the most understanding people and able to work well in teams amongst other people. They know the values and effectiveness of using teamwork and they know the importance to having everyone equally contribute in any project they tackle. If students choose to volunteer outside of school (for a requirement or not), they show they are able to work for no pay and help those in need. They learn the virtue of patience, teamwork, and the ability to care for those that they may not even know.

Le, Trinh. “Does Participation in Extracurricular Activities Reduce Engagement in Risky Behaviours?” APO.org.au, October 18, 2013.

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Online Blog

Summary Trinh Le revolves a lot of his information on various theories and evidence based studies. He feels that all schools should have extracurricular activities; these clubs and sports should not be the first program reduced due to budget restrictions. Certain theories suggest that being involved in extracurricular activities actually teach people self-esteem and even leadership skills. When students engage in activities they are interested in, they feel comfortable and more willing to socialize with other students. The article focuses on how extracurricular activities prevent students from engaging and becoming associated with “risky behaviors”. It also discusses how being involved can prevent young minds from wasting time by watching copious amounts of television or becoming involved in illegal activities. When Le refers to “risky behaviors” he includes partaking in drinking, smoking, sex and drugs. These are typically the earliest experiences that teenagers indulge in. A significance difference found between this article and many others is that the research gathered for this explanation gathers information from not only the US but other countries as well. It gives an example that kids in Australia that are more involved have admitted to rarely abusing any illegal substances. Other students that were asked and do not participate in sports were found to be involved with illegal substances significantly more than the students who do extracurriculars. In literature found, it was found that “extracurricular activity might promote developmentally appropriate pro-social behaviours and reduce the likelihood that adolescents will engage in risky behaviours.” Being a part of clubs encourages cooperation and teamwork overall affecting the student’s outlook and attitude to everyone they know.

Reaction It shocked me at first when I read that sports and other clubs are typically the first program to go when the budget is reduced. I feel that sports reduce a lot of stress and create a unity throughout the school. When I was involved in sports, I felt confident enough to lead my team by the time I was a junior. I felt comfortable walking onto the field every time and I knew I was good at what I was doing. I made a lot of friends through the teams I joined. By knowing these different girls in the younger and older grades, I felt united in my high school. I knew people in different grades and was actually friendly with each one. A lot of athletes knew they could be drug tested at any time therefore they avoided any illegal substances that could jeopardize their involvement in sports. Overall I feel being involved in after school activities leads to the ability to make more friends outside your everyday classes. When I feel comfortable in a classroom, I am more willing to participate and actively learn because I am generally in a better mood than others places.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Editorial: Extracurricular Activities Prove to Be Beneficial for Students //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">. Editorial. El Camino College, March 2, 2011.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Editorial

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Summary

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Campus involvement is necessary for every student’s personal growth.” This very first sentence of the article tells you which side this writer is going to support. Joining organizations are believed to have lifelong advantages. Studies further show that involvement on campus “enhances social and intellectual development.” A student, especially of the teenage years relies on social interactions in order to strive. When they are happy among friends, the students’ behavior in the classroom soars and people are less likely to cause trouble. The editorial supports extracurricular involvement but it strictly states the right amount of involvement. Being overactive can lead to stress and that can lead to <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">outbursts at other people causing constant conflict. Even with arising conflicts though, being involved teaches the participants teamwork and cooperation amongst other people. Students who graduate with some form of extracurricular activity on their resume, have been known to gather more life skills than those who have not been involved. Therefore, this article continuously supports the idea that people who participate in extracurricular activities are more socially involved with other people and happier in general.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reaction

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">I agreed with the first sentence immediately upon reading it. I believe that being involved on campus, especially when in college plays a huge role in the overall experience. When a person joins a club, they click with other people because they share at least one common characteristic whether it is joining the same fraternity or both like to sail. When people are involved in extracurricular activities they have been found to have better time management skills. With more advanced skills, students develop and retain less stress. They have an outlet to partake in that does not revolve around everyday classes. When students are less stressed, they are nicer to other people creating longer lasting <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">relationships. Being involved in one way or another provides a good distraction from all the school pressures. That I feel directly correlates with a person’s daily behavior and interactions amongst other people and in certain environments.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Massoni, Erin. “Positive Effects on Extra Curricular Activities on Students.” //DigitalCommons@C.O.D.// 9, no. 27 (April 1, 2011): 84–87.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Scholarly Article

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Summary

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">This article focuses on “the positive effects that extracurricular activities have on students.” It includes behavior, better grades, school completion, positive aspects to becomes successful adults, and a social aspect. It begins by talking about the start of extracurricular activities and how they first began at Harvard and Yale University. The first clubs included academic debate teams and Greek life. The first topic they address is the effect these activities have on someone’s behavior. In regards to athletic teams, the members are able to learn over time different forms of discipline on and off the field. Good behavior results in pride and continuously encourages continuation of their good <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">behavior. Based off of this, athletes learn self-respect and self-esteem. They regard themselves in better standards and it avoids them from developing antisocial qualities. It goes on to say that if a student has high self-esteem, they tend to do better academically. “Participation in extracurricular activities provides students an opportunity to create a positive and voluntary connection to their school.” Students are overall happier when they participate in after school activities. They are more likely to be motivated to achieve goals and when they do achieve those goals, they have a greater sense of pride. This pride leads to overall confidence proving extracurricular activities boost a students’ general behavior.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reaction

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">From this article, I paid particular attention to the affects that extracurricular activities have on behavior. Of course the idea of attending school was originally enhance young minds and those who were interested in broadening their knowledge. Today school is still about the learning aspects but it focuses more on creating the well rounded pupil. Schools strive to have smart and motivated students but they also hope to have socially involved and happy kids too. Extracurricular activities allows the students to become in involved in something they have an interest in. With a more sense of motivation, students excel in various ways. They begin regarding themselves in higher manners

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">and taking care of themselves better. I personally did this to maintain my health that way I was eligible to play in after school sports and attend meetings after school. School does come first therefore all extracurricular activities had required GPAs that students had to meet in order to participate. This alone gave motivation to students to take pride in their studies. When people are well rounded they have a better outlook on life and overall act nicer and are more cooperative to their surrounding peers.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rodgers, Linda. “Preventing Tween Behavior Problems.” //CNN Living//, April 20, 2012.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Magazine Article

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Summary

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">This article comes from the perspective of Linda Rodgers, a mother of a 12 year old girl. It depicts the rapid social changes a teen goes through and how parents can assist their children with a proper transition. She believes the key is “building a close relationship” that way no secrets are kept and more resources can be used in the future. Rodgers states that a parent has a huge impact on their children’s behavior. But raising expectations also requires taking the time to talk to the child. Parents are supposed to be used as an outlet for the child to relieve stress. Another outlet includes participation in activities with children their same age. Encouraging the child to become active and involved can develop their goal setting skills and motivation. It also helps with time management and social skills. If a child has a sense of belonging outside their immediately family, it has been studied that their mood is dramatically higher than those that do not participate in any activities. The sense of belonging also boosts their self-confidence when it comes to trying new things and being outgoing.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reaction

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">I strongly agree with the ideas Rodger had. A parent can highly influence their child in both academics and social life. With this being said, encouraging them to get involved can greatly boost their overall behavior level. The child will learn that they have to work to achieve goals and with that comes motivation, dedication, and discipline. When the child achieves this goal they gain a sense of pride and that is followed with an extenuation of this ‘good behavior’. The benefits of joining an organization include increased social skills and a sense of friendship amongst the other participants. I agree with this article in many ways but especially when it says behavior correlates with the relationship the child has with their parents and what activities they are involved in outside of the classroom.

**Overall Reaction to Your Research**

My original question asked if extracurricular activities affected a student's overall behavior? From my research I have come to the conclusion that after school activities effect a student's behavior in many ways. Being involved in extracurricular activities leads to greater social interaction and development of life skills. Possessing these qualities leads to a happier and more successful student.

Relevance in Rhode Island Schools
Firstly, schools in Rhode Island must understand the importance of extracurricular activities. They provide a lot of advantages when developing the 'well-rounded' student. They allow social outputs and provide stress relief. Students are able to make to make connections and learn many other qualities that cannot be learned inside the classroom. Activities can include anything from sports, clubs, to volunteering. With these advantages in mind, RI schools should not even consider cutting extracurricular activities.

Relevance to Charter Schools
//Charter// schools focus on academics and assisting students in ways public schools cannot. Charter schools must now focus on the overall student if they plan on having successful scholars. If students are unhappy at any point, they will be less motivated to excel academically. Installing after school activities, students' will increase motivation and overall happiness throughout the school.