Chicago Schools Contemplate Recess After Nearly 30 Years Without It

[Drolefille]

Usually tag isn't banned because it's violent, it's because it is exclusionary. The slowest kid is always "it"

It's still stupid to ban it.

[tunatartare]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Usually tag isn't banned because it's violent, it's because it is exclusionary. The slowest kid is always "it"

Is that why you were always "it?"

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by KLPDaisy

Is that why you were always "it?"

Oh Snap.

I was the girl who played basketball and football with the boys. We played touch football on asphalt using parking lot lines as yard lines. (2 lines= 10 yards). One time they somehow let us outside when it was icy and we played ice football, on asphalt. I'm not sure how we're not all dead.

I wasn't thinking of Freeze Tag though, I was thinking of regular tag aka "it" as someone else put it. Freeze tag isn't nearly as exclusionary.

Our playground was as above, a parking lot. There weren't other things to do besides tag or four square when you're little and football/basketball when you're older. They did paint a world map on part of the it for a few years, but that's where the girls sat and talked all recess long. Stupid girls :P

[tunatartare]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

They did paint a world map on part of the it for a few years, but that's where the girls sat and talked all recess long. Stupid girls :P

I would've been one of those girls. In Middle School, when my school had 3 fields, I was the one playing ultimate frisbee with all of the boys.

[mccoyred]

Most of what I have been thinking has been said. However, I did want to add that this 'ban' is yet another sign of this instant gratification society where the individual is not held accountable for their actions.

My 6th grader came home from school yesterday and told me that the principal said that they are banning hooded shirts! Good grief, Charlie Brown.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by mccoyred

My 6th grader came home from school yesterday and told me that the principal said that they are banning hooded shirts! Good grief, Charlie Brown.

Why?

If it's because kids are wearing the hoods during school hours...uh...just tell them to...take...off...the...hood. Just like many schools don't allow students to wear hats inside the buildings. Geesh.

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally Posted by mccoyred

My 6th grader came home from school yesterday and told me that the principal said that they are banning hooded shirts! Good grief, Charlie Brown.

That's stupid!!! As cold as it gets a hooded shirt is great for cold weather layering.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I wasn't thinking of Freeze Tag though, I was thinking of regular tag aka "it" as someone else put it. Freeze tag isn't nearly as exclusionary.

Actually, Freeze tag can be MORE exclusionary...I remember that there was always one or two kids that no one would un-freeze when they were frozen...

[mulattogyrl]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

We should wrap children in bubblewrap and pillows and make them sit still at all times...

damn you LOL

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Actually, Freeze tag can be MORE exclusionary...I remember that there was always one or two kids that no one would un-freeze when they were frozen...

I don't know why but this made me laugh too. I'll come un-freeze you, LMAO.

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I wasn't thinking of Freeze Tag though, I was thinking of regular tag aka "it" as someone else put it. Freeze tag isn't nearly as exclusionary.

So I'm guessing that "it" was just you're "it" until you tag someone else who becomes "it" until they tag someone else? If so, played that as well.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Actually, Freeze tag can be MORE exclusionary...I remember that there was always one or two kids that no one would un-freeze when they were frozen...

True, but there wasn't the "slow kid" issue.... There's no winning really. How did everyone unfreeze in freeze tag? For us it was diving under the legs... on asphalt of course.

Originally Posted by CrimsonTide4

So I'm guessing that "it" was just you're "it" until you tag someone else who becomes "it" until they tag someone else? If so, played that as well.

Yep. We just called it tag.

[Marie]

That's too bad. Kids definitely need more exercise these days, and most school yard games will result in some basic cuts and bruises. I agree that there should be supervision to guarantee that games aren't getting out of hand, in addition to a waiver from parents stating that they acknowledge the basic risks. Beyond that, kids should be allowed to play freely within the bounds that normal supervision will allow.

Banning the sport because kids feel excluded is extreme. I don't think that its ok to let 1 kid get picked on or constantly remain 'un-chosen' when it comes to participating. However, competition is a part of life. How will kids develop the drive to improve or prepare themselves from the intense competition that occurs later in life if they are so shielded now?

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally Posted by Marie

Banning the sport because kids feel excluded is extreme. I don't think that its ok to let 1 kid get picked on or constantly remain 'un-chosen' when it comes to participating. However, competition is a part of life. How will kids develop the drive to improve or prepare themselves from the intense competition that occurs later in life if they are so shielded now?

I'm thinking the people that are making these rules must have been picked last for the kickball, basketball, baseball, etc. teams in gym and at recess. Suck it up and let it go. Life is exclusionary in general.

Freeze tag and recess is a way to get these kids up and moving to stay in shape or get in shape. I wish I had some recess right now.

[starang21]

this is stupid.

we're a sue-happy society and we're going to continue to have some fat kids.

[kiml122]

So they are banning tag...WTH