Chicago Schools Contemplate Recess After Nearly 30 Years Without It

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by BlessedOne04

Whats next are going to ban books...we will just elearn! lol What a mess.

Books are heavy, and paper could cut you. Kids shouldn't read anyway, they'll get ideas.

[lovelyivy84]

While I understand the safety concerns, I still don't think they should take away tag. I do think that there needs to be more supervision from the schools. I know when I was a kid out on the playground there were ALWAYS teachers there to grab up the kids who got too rough. Where are those teachers now?

[Sophist08edLady]

Originally Posted by lovelyivy84

While I understand the safety concerns, I still don't think they should take away tag. I do think that there needs to be more supervision from the schools. I know when I was a kid out on the playground there were ALWAYS teachers there to grab up the kids who got too rough. Where are those teachers now?

Budget cuts...and remember back in the day alot of mothers would volunteer to work in the school cafeteria or playground...but now more women are working.

[Honeykiss1974]

This is bogus. I think its bad enough that many school districts have reduced or completely eliminated recess (and then wonder why kids are "hyper") but to get rid of "tag"? Kids need to run, get some pysical exercise and fresh air. And yes, sometimes kids get hurt on the playground, but it can happen just easily on the monkey bars, swings, or slide (remember going down the slide during the summer? You legs would be burnt up! LOL or seeing who could swing the highest and then jump out? LOL).

Shoot, I remember back in my day (lol) we had 3 recesses - morning, after lunch and afternoon. And our recess monitors were teachers. One half of our playground was filled with equipment and the other half was an empty field perfect for tag, kick ball, or "racing".

But anyway given the lack of socialization/activities that kids today are bombarded with (ie video games, computer, etc.) something like this that gets kids interacting with others as well as physically active is a good thing.

[AKA2D '91]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/n...ationworld-hed

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally Posted by AKA2D '91

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/n...ationworld-hed

WOW!!! I did some reading on Chicago Public Schools years ago, but did not know this about recess, or the lack thereof. Almost 30 years without recess.

I am so thankful that we had recess growing up. On inclement weather days, recess was indoors -- film strips, movies, or games in the gym. But I remember in 3rd grade playing kickball in the snow for afternoon recess. Thanks Mrs. K!!

[AKA2D '91]

Inclimate weather games (most were held in your respective classes): Heads up, 7-up (whoever got picked stand up), sing-a-longs, Here comes the cat, hangman, SOS.

Just this past week, a few friends from elementary school reminisced about our recess, 4-square days. It's been nearly THIRTY years.

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally Posted by AKA2D '91

Inclimate weather games (most were held in your respective classes): Heads up, 7-up (whoever got picked stand up), sing-a-longs, Here comes the cat, hangman, SOS.

Just this past week, a few friends from elementary school reminisced about our recess, 4-square days. It's been nearly THIRTY years.

OMG!!!! Heads Up 7 Up was the ISHT!!!!! Yeah the games were played in our classroom but sometimes we got to go to the gym for movies and an all grade "What Time Is It Mr. Fox" or dodgeball. We watched the film strips in our classrooms with our lunch lady.

I had this thought the other day but I am so glad I was born in the time period I was born.

[kiml122]

So they are banning tag...WTH

[Steeltrap]

Schools should be trying to restore recess. Seriously -- if we're about fighting childhood obesity, physical activity should not be eliminated. Back in the day when I was a kid, we didn't have the 'Net or video games. We played. On the other hand, it was a safer time.

[BlessedOne04]

Originally Posted by Steeltrap

Schools should be trying to restore recess. Seriously -- if we're about fighting childhood obesity, physical activity should not be eliminated. Back in the day when I was a kid, we didn't have the 'Net or video games. We played. On the other hand, it was a safer time.

Okay so playing devils advocate what about the schools that have recess and still have a large percent of childhood obesity? What about instead having more structured gym time?

[Steeltrap]

Originally Posted by BlessedOne04

Okay so playing devils advocate what about the schools that have recess and still have a large percent of childhood obesity? What about instead having more structured gym time?

Hey, I don't give a flip whether it's free-lance recess or structured gym time. The kids need some sort of physical activity. I am speaking as someone who was a lean kid who enjoyed running. Clearly, that's changed.

[TheEpitome1920]

Originally Posted by AKA2D '91

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/n...ationworld-hed

I'm a product of CPS and we had recess every day in grammar school.

I went to Oscar Mayer Elementary (no jokes!) and Lincoln Park HS!

[Sophist08edLady]

I still support the ban on tag. However, I do believe that there should be structured physical activities for children. In countries like Japan the students do not have recess nor do they have summer breaks. They do, however, have structured physical activitiy to promote good health and social activities that focus on music and the arts. We have all seen the research...their children are ahead of our children by leaps and bounds in science and math and this is aiding in the growth of their national economy. Japan is now the technological hub and American's are lossing jobs to overseas because of our "relaxed" attitudes. IMO

[Drolefille]

Japanese children must also figure out their career before they enter high school AND commit suicide if they don't do well enough on the tests or get into the right school. Relaxation is important.