No Recess As Academic and/or Behavior Punishment??

A nationwide study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that 77 percent of school principals reported taking away recess as a punishment, but evidence shows that this is the wrong tactic. An extensive number of studies show that taking physical activity away from children decreases their attention spans and ability to focus in the classroom and increases behavior problems and trips to the principal’s office.

During the 2015-2016 school year, I spoke with a 10-year-old fifth grade student who had a few recess times taken away at her public school because she hadn't perfectly completed homework designed for 'gifted' students. Yes, the girl is a straight-A student! Because there were times when she didn't get ALL of the answers correct on a gifted assignment, she had to miss recess a few times to work on getting every answer 100 percent correct.

I'm a former fifth grade teacher and find this type of in-school academic 'discipline' deplorable. With respect to the gifted, straight-A student, the teacher withheld recess because the student didn't perform perfectly. It wasn't a matter of the assignment not being fully done or not at all, but rather that it wasn't done perfectly!

The American Academy of Pediatrics, in its Policy Statement entitled "The Crucial Role of Recess in School," states:

“On the basis of an abundance of scientific studies, withholding recess for punitive or academic reasons would seem to be counterproductive to the intended outcomes and may have unintended consequences in relation to a child’s acquisition of important life skills.”

Many schools around the country have implemented policies that limit or eliminate teachers' ability to take away recess time. Their efforts have been bolstered by district policies and state laws that place renewed emphasis on physical activity and by increased public involvement in the creation of district wellness policies.

The topic of withholding recess has caused friction between some parents and teachers. When parents in Berkeley, California, pushed for a policy to eliminate withholding recess, teachers pushed back -- those teachers believing that taking away recess time is an appropriate solution in some circumstances. Some school boards have passed policies that maintain the ability of teachers to restrict recess time for a maximum of 10 minutes per day after first considering other disciplinary alternatives and providing a verbal warning.

The National Association for Sport and Physical Education outlines in a position statement that “students should not be denied recess so that they can complete class work or as a means of punishment.”

I agree. Come on teachers -- find another way! I've had classrooms of elementary students and never had to resort to taking away a boy or girl's recess time.

From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),

Paul J. Staso

_______________________________________

Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek

Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:

• United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
• Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
• Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
• Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
• The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
• Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
• Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
• Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
• Some Cycling Moments From The Past

Recess, Don't "Let it Go"

The Orlando Sentinel newspaper in Florida ran a story a couple of weeks ago on a topic that was never a debated issue when I was a kid. There are actually parents and children who are fighting for kids to be able to have recess at school. Recently, it appears their efforts are starting to pay off in Florida.

Seminole County elementary school children are expected to get 20 minutes of daily recess next school year under a new policy. The Osceola County School Board adopted a similar policy in February. However, none of Florida's 65 other school districts make recess a required part of the elementary school day! Whether children get daily recess can vary by school and even by classroom. Last year, the Orange County School Board voted to recommend — but not require — recess, at least on days when students did not have a physical education class.

A group known as "The Recess Moms" has been urging school districts in Florida to mandate daily recess, arguing that students need a break from academics and a chance to play and socialize with classmates.

Recess was a routine part of elementary when I was a young boy in the early-to-mid 1970's, but in many schools across America it is being squeezed out by academic demands -- particularly since the No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law in 2002. But many parents and the American Academy of Pediatrics say children need time to play during the day, both for their emotional and social development and so they can better focus on school work when they are in class. In a 2013 report the academy called recess "crucial and necessary."

Many school administrators worry that a requirement to have daily recess will tie the hands of educators who, by state law, also have blocks of reading, math and other lessons that they must fit into the school day. Some principals argue that they do not have the staff to supervise recess.

It's sad to see that recess has become such a hot topic of debate in today's elementary schools. However, yesterday I was encouraged to read that Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo said she'll sign a bill mandating at least 20 minutes of recess at elementary schools across Rhode Island, joking that her kids would be mad if she rejected it. "I am not going to veto that bill," Gov. Raimondo said. "I don't think my children would let me in the house if I vetoed that bill."

From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),

Paul J. Staso

_______________________________________

Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek

Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:

• United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
• Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
• Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
• Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
• The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
• Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
• Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
• Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
• Some Cycling Moments From The Past