Give students a break — just 5 minutes — in every class

October 19, 2021 — by Jason Cheng
While having the added benefit of diminishing stress, five-minute breaks will also increase productivity and promote concentration among students.

It’s 2 p.m. on a Tuesday, and after three consecutive 90-minute blocks of learning, the impending doom of incomplete homework assignments looms ahead — a harsh common reality for many students.

After over a year of online learning, students have had to adapt quickly this year to the in-person school environment, sitting in class for longer periods of time without distractions; this year, periods last 90 minutes, a 15-minute increase from last year’s online length and twice as long as what freshmen experienced last year at Redwood Middle School. 

As such, the sharp transition has been difficult — just several weeks into the school year, many students are already feeling the weight of overwhelming course loads and seemingly endless school days. 

That’s where the need for a 5-minute break comes in: Rather than hold class from bell to bell, every teacher should adopt a short break about half way in. 

Spanish teacher Stephany Marks is one of many teachers who have already utilized this strategy to full effect. Each period, she incorporates a 5-minute “descanso” where students can socialize with each other and step outside for fresh air, taking a much-needed break from lessons.

“I’ve noticed that kids this year need a boost after being at home for an entire year,” Marks said. “I start losing students in the middle of classes, so the break lets them clear their heads to sit back down and focus for the remainder of the period.”

According to Brain Balance, the average attention span of a high school student ranges from approximately 30 to 45 minutes. This works out perfectly, as a newly improved schedule would involve two 40-45 minute chunks of learning — separated by a 5-minute break —  resulting in the ideal learning environment.

Furthermore, in an article from CIPHR, researcher Barry Chignell said that “our brains have two functioning modes: focused, and ‘diffused.’ Some studies have shown that we solve our most difficult problems when we’re in this diffused state.” 

In essence, the 5-minute break allows students to process new information without being overwhelmed. Rather than cram all the material into students’ minds at once, teachers can spread class activities out, potentially garnering more student participation as well.

Both teachers and students benefit from 5-minute breaks. Teachers can ensure that students won’t lose focus, and even if the class got sidetracked the first half of class, the second half of class is practically a whole new period. 

The American Psychological Association recommends frequent breaks of exercise or meditation in order to mentally destress. Too much stress can have serious health consequences, including heart diseases or depression. 

Such breaks should also consist of guided stretches or meditation rather than cell phone usage. Taking students’ minds off strenuous activities and screens will allow for meaningful recovery to carry on with the rest of the material.

Productivity in school — and in life, in general — doesn’t just revolve around working constantly. Breaks are just as important to a healthy well-being and rich learning environment, and we’d all benefit from the addition of 5-minute breaks scattered throughout the day.

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