The False Promise of Back-to-School Commercials: What Child is THAT Excited to go Back to School?
Cara Godleskyyy
Main idea: “As the summer comes to a close, television stations are inundated with back-to-school commercials that show beaming children eager to run through the doors of beautiful brick school buildings and out into the lush green fields and playgrounds that surround them. But this imagery couldn't be further from the truth of what real school life is like for millions of kids across the country.”
MY main idea: Television commercials paint a false picture of what back-to-school is like; kids aren’t inspired to return to school, most schools actually are not promoting “conductive learning”
When I turn on the TV, I see Wall-Mart and Sears’s commercials of kids prancing about and running into the school buildings. I think to myself “Seriously, what kid does that?” Personally, I would be dragging my feet, and my eyes still sleeping when I walk in for the first bell to school. TV commercials really got it all wrong about kids being energetic in school. According to the article, kids who are stimulated with exercise and have frequent breaks will thrive more in the school environment. But unfortunately, we do not receive breaks as often as recommended by doctors. Danielle Moodie-Mills states “The reality is that most public schools today do not create warm and inspiring environments that are conducive to learning. In fact, they do the opposite.” I found this so interesting to hear that this article was written by a former class-room teacher; if a teacher believes that schools aren’t inviting, then I believe her. The article also informs us that “Today's indoor children are less physically fit, less able to concentrate, and less able to relate to others than any previous generation”. Maybe if I show this data and article to Mr. Buckey he’d give us a longer lunch break and each of us a free block? Unlikely, but it’s just wishful thinking. J
Amanda Sandoval
for back-to-school commercials. I know it is their job to try and make
school as appealing as possible, but sometimes it just looks fake.
What the author says in the article about kids needing a break makes
sense. When you think about it, middle and high school students sit in
classrooms all day for 6 hours a day with a 30 minute break for lunch.
We need fresh air to be able to clear our minds and not be go go go
for that long. I bet not even most adults could do that! In elementary
school, everyone looked forward to what game they were going to play
at recess. This made kids somewhat excited to go to school and work
through the day knowing half way through there would be a rewarded
break to have fun with your friends. Over weight kids are a problem
that are still a present issue, and making kids sit in school for 6
hours with no outside time isn't helping any. And for kids who have
learning disabilities or disorders such as ADD or ADHD, it makes it
even harder for them. Kids need to run around and get exercise which
in turn gives them energy and energy will make them more attentive in
class. Yes sports are offered at most schools, but some kids might not
like to play sports. And in the winter when they can bundle up and go
outside to play for a little while, when it gets dark at 4:30 pm, it
cuts down on their running around time dramatically. I loved how this
article was written by a former teacher. It lets the readers know that
its not just the kids saying this to get a break or to get less time
for schooling.
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