Want to Improve Schools? Get Rid of Recess!

Originally posted by ollncasino

Originally posted by smyleegrl

My student's will have gym at 8:00 in the morning....first thing. So no break for the rest of the day.

On days when it rains and we can't go outside, I lose them in the afternoon. They can't focus, they're extremely fidgety, and comprehension decreases.

Taking away recess will compound this problem.

Boys will perhaps be particularly hard hit, as some of them tend to find it harder to sit quietly anyway.

Why has the principal brought in this change? Is there a lack of teachers to supervise breaks? Does it save money in some way?

Why has he brought in this change?

He wants us to use the extra time to improve "test scores." So we are supposed to spend the time focusing on academics.

I understand the concern about our test scores, and the need to improve academics. But young children can only go so long before they physically cannot function or focus anymore. We are up and moving at least every thirty minutes, cause kids get antsy.

I've decided to bring in a WII and the Dance games. That's what we will be doing during recess time on days we don't have recess.

I would definitely find a reason to march those brats outside every day. Maybe during your science time, have them do a scientific survey of grass from around the playground, perform experiments with bouncing balls, or during math they could map the perimeter!

As a parent of 3, ranging from 8th grade to preschool, I can attest that there are some seriously stupid people who are allowed to teach and manage our kids in public schools. Thanks for being one of those good teachers that care!

I feel like this will just make kids hate school earlier than they normally would. Elementary kids like school, but if even they start to dislike it the drop out rate will increase. Kids can only handle so many years of a place they hate and this is just going to cause them to hate it sooner.

Poor kids. This makes no since. They can't reach their full potential with out a break to rest their little brains and release some of that energy.

Bad example, but when I'm sewing and notice my stitches are getting a little crazy I know that all I need is a 15 min. break and when I come back my stitches will be straight again. It's like that with anything.

reply to post by smyleegrl


10 minutes silence to eat...because kids can't think for themselves said no one ever...

Originally posted by Sounds_of_Silence
reply to post by smyleegrl

 

10 minutes silence to eat...because kids can't think for themselves said no one ever...

I actually understand the logic behind that rule, I have 3 boys and even at home alone they need reminders to keep eating their meals!

I was all ready to argue against your ideas, according to the title. But reading further, I see it was a mess-up. My opinion. 6-7 hours of school Monday through Friday, Summer vacation starting the beginning June and ending at the end of August. Also including a mandatory class of PE every day. And two recess's, one at 10:00 and one at 1:00.

Thank you for sharing your viewpoint on the issue of whether or not children need recess. I think that there is too much of an emphasis on test scores. Schools receive money based on test scores, so I do understand why children need to do well on tests. However, it seems like the tests are now very important, and other things are being overlooked or left out.

What a great idea to bring a Wii and other fun stuff to class!

That is awful and you have every right to be angry.

My son is in first grade, recess is the only thing he likes. Not to mention, kids need that social time.

You can't expect little ones to learn for hours on end.

I think you need to go to the board of ed.

Originally posted by seeker1963
reply to post by smyleegrl

 

Ahhh, ok. Being the ole fart I am it reminded me of my days in basic training, when if you were caught talking instead of eating, it meant you were done eating.......

I would think that the approach of ten minutes of silence, so that the child can eat, is teaching them obedience and control! After all, shouldn't they be able to learn on their own, that if I talk instead of eat, they will spend the day hungry? Hmmmm, I don't know, maybe our children really are stupid , and they need to be told that if they talk, they won't have time to eat? Is that really teaching them?



No wonder critical thinking skills are becoming extinct.......

edit on 8-1-2013 by seeker1963 because: (no reason given)

Little ones, like kindergarten and first grade, maybe even second, don't have the capacity to make those types of decisions.

reply to post by TheDoctor46


Actually, I think you bring up a great idea. Get the parents in an uproar.

reply to post by MystikMushroom


The current pb allergy theory is that since they put peanuts in almost everything now, like corn syrup, that over exposure is causing the jump in peanut allergies.

Update for everyone.

I contacted my union rep. They are now investigating. I'm not sure what, if anything, they will be able to do, but it also is for my own protection. I've stuck my neck out the past two years and I really think the principal would love to chop it off. Trouble is, I have tenure (another sinister thing), my evaluations are stellar, and my kids continually show growth. So the only way to fire me is for cause, such as insubordination.

Which is why i have to tread very, very carefully. And also why I want my union rep fully appraised of the situation (there's a heck of a lot more than just this one issue), so if necessary i have legal defense.

So I will obey the new rule, but I'm going to do my best to circumvent it. As mentioned earlier, I'm brinnging a WII and we'll use it for energizers and stress release. In my monthly parent letter, I will mention the new rule. It will probably upset the parents, hopefully enough to have them raise a fuss.

reply to post by smyleegrl


You go, Grrl! I'm with you 100% !
Keep recess, and send the principle's arse back to middle school woodshop where he belongs!

If they do fire you, it would be interesting if somehow the name of the school became known on ATS, or the story itself hit the interwebs.....the possibilities for interesting public outcries are countless....

Originally posted by moonzoo7
reply to post by smyleegrl

 

You go, Grrl! I'm with you 100% !
Keep recess, and send the principle's arse back to middle school woodshop where he belongs!

If they do fire you, it would be interesting if somehow the name of the school became known on ATS, or the story itself hit the interwebs.....the possibilities for interesting public outcries are countless....

If I get fired, I will sue for unlawful termination. I'll take the county for millions.

Then open up a private school and do things the right way.

Appreciate the support, more than you know.

What is this about "during the week we have PE"? When I was in elementary school throughout the 90's, PE was a daily class, what happened to that?

reply to post by dave_welch


My 5 yr. old only has P.E. 3 days a week. On the other days they have computer and music. Music is great though, because they dance. I'm lucky that his school has a 20 min. recess twice a day even when they do have P.E.

The local high school here has only 4 minutes between classes, no breaks of any kind and only a 22 minute lunch. I hear it's a nightmare

Originally posted by dave_welch
What is this about "during the week we have PE"? When I was in elementary school throughout the 90's, PE was a daily class, what happened to that?

Standardized testing happened.

The kids get PE for a week, every three weeks.

The only thing these standardized tests have brought are lower performance, greedy school districts, and fat children. They're so worried about fitting the norms for what's on these tests that they're not looking at the broader picture and so are not fully educating the children to the utmost degree. Before all of this testing, there were expansive amounts of different subjects of knowledge being covered in classes and now most schools can only be bothered to teach what's going to be on the tests. I remember these tests started appearing whenever I was in the fifth grade and from there on out, all math class was about was what was on these exams. All reading class was about was what was on the exams. We could have been doing so much more. Thankfully, they never cut PE or recess for us, though if I remember correctly, they cut a few other programs from our days.

Things only got worse in high school whenever they cut crucial lab periods for science classes so that they could have what they called here "PSSA Prep" classes. Yeah, let's take away teaching the sciences so that we can prepare for these darn tests instead. Learning only what the state wants you to learn and only becoming better test-takers almost makes it feel like we're programming our children, not educating them or giving them skills for life at all. It's no wonder that we're struggling in the race against other countries whenever it comes to general intelligence and education.


The school districts could give half a care about the curriculum as well whenever it comes to doing well on these BS tests. The students have to perform well or "Oops, there goes our grants!" I think it's just sinister that they can take money away from the schools just because of tests scores. Big brother has taken a vice grip on the education system, my friends and is not letting go any time soon. That makes real sense though, take money AWAY from the schools that are struggling instead of investing more money into their programs to help their students succeed. Makes REAL sense.

And then we have the obesity issue. Maybe the children wouldn't be becoming so obese if they had time to I don't know, go outside and do something recreation oriented and active. Something like that instead of staying in and preparing for tests.

Whenever they brought about all of these tests, did they also think through that not all children are one size fits all whenever it comes to taking tests? Some kids and even adults honestly just suck at taking tests. It has nothing to do with overall intelligence level or knowledge of the subjects at hand. I myself am a terrible test taker and it's not for lack of trying. It makes college difficult for me but I still try my best.

"No Child Left Behind" in my opinion has done nothing BUT leaving children behind. I know that in my little brother's high school now, unless you do proficient on all tests during the Junior year, you're not allowed to graduate your Senior year and will not graduate until you do. I imagine drop out rates will be increasing by the dozen within the next few years.

reply to post by smyleegrl


This is wrong on so many levels. If you get fired I will raise a ruckus on behalf of you and the children.

My daughter has been complaining that every Wednesday they need to "exercise" during recess. No matter how cold it is outside. And this is in addition to gym on Mondays. I have nothing against giving the kids structured exercise but who wants to do jumping jacks outside when it's 20 degrees out?

You have reinvigorated my hackles with today's schools. May need to pay a pointed visit soon.