Keeping Kids in Motion
Building a community where fitness and play are the foundation for all families.
Recess: Where the most IMPORTANT learning happens
Friday, September 1st
On this beautiful fall day, I am one of three teachers on recess duty. A sense of calm fills the playground – ready for the children who love their time outside. Minutes later, 80-3rd-grade students explode onto the playground for 30 minutes of learning.
Recess – their daily, self-guided class, is officially underway.
As I stand on one end of our track, I’m in a centralized location where I witness the outdoor education in full swing:
- LESSON #1 – PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING
In the middle of the field, I observe the early stages of a football game developing. The students thoughtfully divided the teams, ensuring the balance of power was relatively equal. I can tell the players are satisfied based on how quickly the game begins. Throughout the game, I witnessed several small confrontations, all of which were resolved through redo’s, rock, paper scissors, or simple problem-solving.
- LESSON #2 – CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND PATIENCE
Just off the track, there was a game of 4-square taking place. Students were lined up, patiently waiting their turn to enter the game. Again, like the football game, there were several close calls challenging the students to resolve conflict. Despite the disputes, the game would consistently resume with no hard feelings and continued excitement.
- LESSON #3 – SOCIAL SKILLS AND COMMUNICATION
I quickly noticed the football game abruptly stop. There was a small group of boys and girls who wanted a space to play soccer. I wanted to intervene and share my solution, however, I resisted the temptation to help. Instead, I observed, and within no time the football game quickly moved to the far end of the field, creating ample space for the soccer game.
- LESSON #4 – IMAGINATION AND TEXT TO LIFE CONNECTIONS
I then look beyond the track into Discovery Playground. Six students were gathering wood and branches, dragging them to a triangular structure constructed out of long sticks, resembling a tepee. To the left I witnessed two more students pretending to hunt. I soon realized they were preparing for the “long winter ahead.” Their game was based on, The Little House in the Big Woods, by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I was impressed by their connection to literature.
- LESSON #5 – CREATIVITY
As I turn to my right, toward the playground equipment, I see a flurry of activity, which at first glance, seems to be chaos. There were boys and girls running in all directions. Some were fleeing while others were chasing. The game appeared to be a variation of Capture the Flag. To an outsider, the rules seemed complicated and without boundaries. To its creators, the game made perfect sense.
- LESSON #6 – LEADERSHIP
- LESSON #7- PERSEVERANCE, EMPATHY, AND CAMARADERIE
- LESSON #8 – RESPONSIBILITY AND RESPECT
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Finally, the whistle blows and recess has come to an end. 3rd Grade students immediately race to their lines. Within seconds, there are 4 lines standing at the door, ready to go inside. Three students are packing up the recess equipment into their bag when they realize a basketball is missing. Another student sees the ball near the courts, hustles over to get it, and places it in the bag.
NOW, recess is complete. Another day in the students’ outdoor classroom is a success.
From a teacher’s perspective, recess duty is an opportunity to watch students grow physically, emotionally, and socially, in an unstructured environment. It’s a time when we put the plan book away and allow PLAY to provide the lesson.
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