Banning recess?!
 

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...e_me/no_recess

What the hell?? Recess was my only key to keeping myself sane!

If they keep focusing on standardized testing and doing stupid things like eliminating recess, these kids are going to grow up to be little robots with no creativity or social skills.

I'm starting to think that's their goal.

Thanks Valk. That's the point I've been trying to make in San Diego for years ever since the blueprint for success fucked up the San Diego City School District.

A quote from Mr. Holland's Opus says it best:

"Well, I guess you can cut the arts as much as you want, Gene. Sooner or later, these kids aren't going to have anything to read or write about. "

Well, arts is the key issue with me, not recess, but it applies. Down here, they're making new high schools that have a trade focus, like an ITT tech for high schoolers, cuting arts programs left and right, and inserting these absurd new standards and tests.

All these people who think they're making the whole schoolwide landscape better are actually balancing it out- the smart kids are getting dumber at the expense of the ones who need to get their act together, kinda like punishing the whole for the mistakes of few.

I don't see where people don't get "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Instead of trying these radical new concepts, maybe they should focus on the family, the home, and the individual student him/herself.

Almost makes you want to send your kids to a private school....almost...

BTW, the administrators who only focus on standardized tests don't give two shits about their children's scholastic improvement. Higher test scores = more money. For Alan Bersin, amongst others, this is merely a political career move...

Standard disclaimer applies: I am not a parent or teacher.

Kids need a break in their day. Kids, especially little kids, can't sit still for that long without a break. Recess gives the kids a chance to run around a bit and use up some of that boundless energy all kids seem to have, so they can return to the classroom ready to resume learning. If you're familiar with the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, recess is a way of sharpening the saw.

Recess also gives the kids a chance to have some social interaction, which is important for the development of interpersonal skills.

I'd like to see the school district rule that this official is not permitted to take any breaks in her work day other than 20 minutes for lunch. No long lunches, no running errands on her lunch break, no smoke breaks, no stepping outside for some fresh air, no chatting by the water cooler or coffee maker. Let's see how long she lasts under those conditions. :p

Seriously! I mean it's state law for workers to have some sort of break in the day as well as a lunch. At least in Ca it is. Why wouldn't it apply to kids as well?

Huzza, Valkyrie!

Beyond that a younger child's attention span just isn't that long. They need breaks with fresh air and sunshine as I see it.

This borders on cruel and unusual punishment.

Speaking of that, let's lock Asst. Superintendent Clark up from 8 to 3 with 30 active First Graders.

Hasn't any of the local educational braintrust noted that the one school with formal recess (Whittier mentioned in the article) has the highest Math and Writing scores and second in reading?

Aren't those the skills we find so lacking in American education?

Unbelievable.

*slams head on desk*

Oh, the things I get to look forward to when I graduate with my Education degree! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Those poor poor teachers. Can you imagine trying to control a class of 8 year olds who haven't had reccess? Remember how squirrely you used to get on rain days when they made you play 7-up instead going outside? It would be like that... every... single... day. *shudder*

Isn't it bad enough that most states have cut out the arts, and p.e? What are these kids supposed to do? Sign up for memberships at the gym starting at age 7.

If it was good enough for her, why deny the kids the same opportunity? Bring recess back.

Hey Karyn Clarke! You're a massive tool!!

I was thinking it was just my school district being that stupid!!! Our new principal suddenly told the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers that their classes could not have recess because they went to P.E. every day. She claims that this has "always" been a district policy. First I ever heard of it and I have been around for a long time!

Seems that "some" upper level administrators decreed this, and while some schools adhere to it, others ignore it. Our teachers association is about to file a grievance about the no recess rule because, let's face it, IT'S STUPID!!!

By all means, let's tell 8 year old children that they aren't allowed to have fun anymore.:rolleyes:

Well- that's what No Child Left Behind was designed to do- turn everyone into mindless automatons.

ETA: remind me to buy my nephew a gym membership and apply for some after-school art classes when he's born next month.

ETA: if recess is outlawed, only outlaws will have recess.

Nice way to encourage childhood obesity, repressed energy and possible isolationism!

Recess does a kid good!

WARNING: Sarcasm right ahead:
Welcome to the Zombie Factory!

Seriously,

As someone who spent a year out on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation teaching PE and coaching Basketball, i certainly am gratefuly that i have so many "Monday Morning Quarterbacks" who know enough about football, teaching, team building etc. that they feel the need to share.

Again,

I dont' care how much "experience" you think you have. But after you spend 9 months teaching in a situatlino where you are the minority, THEN you can talk shit to me.

BUT, that being said, i thouroughly enjoyed my position, and i will achieve a BS in PE.

KS 361

I don't like the way education in general is heading in the past 10 years or so. It's all about bullisht methodical standards, standardized test, mission statements, blah blah. Whatever happened to learning and appreciating knowledge and developing creativity? We have to understand that there are always smart kids and the "not so smart kids." No amount of legislation or anything else will ever change this.
People always whine and moan that we aren't the top educational performer in the world. Why is this? When other countries get their average in areas like math or science, they only test the top 25% or so, the ones that qualify to attend college or advanced technical training. Here we test everyone from the Harvard bound to the special education/LD students, and that of course will skew the statistics out of our favor. I'm not saying our system is perfect by any means, but I think we need more heart and less standardization. Do what works individually!

If they took away recess in the school system that I teach in, I'd quit. It's as simple as that. Kids NEED recess as much as they need reading, writing, math, science, social studies, and the arts.

Plus, you think kids are fat now...just wait. Recess and PE (once a week) are often the only physical activities kids get. It's sad.

I agree that arts are an important part of education but please don't knock the technical highschools.

We have several highschools in Toronto that are technical and commercial schools. While I never attended one, my brother did and these schools have excellent prgrams. These kids develop a skill early on which in turn leads them to good careers. In fact, the government of Ontario is promoting trades programs because there aren't enough skilled trades people in our province.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. I stopped having recess after grade 6. I don't think it should be completely eliminated either. It's helpful for kids, especially since gym (phys. ed.) and recess is sometimes the only physical activity a child gets.