Make Recess Fun and Safe - All Year Log

It’s time for recess!!!!  Time for a break!  Time to let the kids be kids!  Time to breath for a minute, maybe even get a word of adult conversation with another teacher.  Until the tattling and accidents start.  We’ve all been there, and it happens in every classroom, but there are some things you can do at the beginning of the year to make recess safer, and more fun – for you and the kids!

1.)  One of the best tips is to start out the year with double the normal recess time.  This additional time will give the kids an adjustment period to get used to being back in school, while giving you more time to teach recess rules.  It’s a win win situation.  Start out by being very clear that for the first two weeks of school (or 3 or 6, or however long you think will be best for your class) there will be additional recess.  Give students a specific date of when this extra privilege will go away, maybe even mark it on the calendar, because otherwise they will be quite upset when the schedule changes.  Don’t expect to get a break during this time, this is the time to set the tone for recess, help students solve their own problems instead of tattling, make it clear what is and isn’t safe etc.  Be on your toes now so that you can have a breather the rest of the year.

2.)  Before recess each day, go over the specific expectations of the recess, keeping it as simple and sweet as possible.  Another teacher I worked with used to sum it up with: Be Safe, Be a Good Friend, Be a Good Listener.

Have the students recite the expectations every day, so that you know they are internalizing (or at least memorizing) the expectations.  This way, when you have to have a discussion with someone who is not following expectations, you can go back to these expectations that have been clearly stated every day.

3.)  As the days go by, you may want to take that moment in the beginning to reflect on what happened yesterday, and how recess could go better today.  ie. “Yesterday, I noticed that some students were kicking rocks and making dust that made it hard for others to play.  Let’s make sure that today we don’t kick rocks and make dust.”  Let kids talk about problems they saw or had – they often see things that we don’t.  And let them help come up with solutions to class problems, as they often they can come up with solutions that are just as good, if not better than ours.

4.)  Split recess in half, with structured play in the beginning and free play in the end (or have two recess – one with structured play and one with free play).  This gives kids who have a hard time selecting a game a chance to play in one that has been pre-selected.  Often those students will continue the game into free play, while those who had another idea will switch games as soon as free play is announced.

During structured play time, introduce kids to playground games that everyone can participate in, like Duck Duck Goose, Four Square, different variations of Tag, Hot Potato etc.  Often kids have never learned these games and so when it’s time to play, they struggle to come up with a game.  If you introduce new games and their rules to the kids in the beginning of the year, you will often see these games come back later in the year during free play.  Take time to pair up unlikely pairs during this time, so that kids get used to playing with everyone in the class.

During free play time, allow it to be FREE play.  Students can play anything, with anyone, as long as they are being safe and kind.  We all need a little time each day to just be us.  This is a true brain break that can allow students’ minds to work better when returning to the classroom.

5.)  Don’t be afraid to play yourself!  I have gotten my best work outs by playing tag or jump rope with my students.  It lets them see you in a different light, builds morale, models the importance of physical exercise and is great cardio-vascular work! 

6.)  Pair up with another class.  If possible, have recess at a time when another class also goes.  Do both structured and free play together, giving students a chance to work, play and socialize with a new set of kids.  This also helps to reduce the “sibling squabbles” that happen later on in the school year, as kids get to know each other as well as they do their own siblings.

7.)  Have a unique line up signal.  I had a cowbell.  You could hear that thing for miles, and the kids always knew when it was time to line up.  One friend of mine had a duck call and another a train whistle.  Anything that helps extract your students from the sea of students on the playground without having to call their names or waste your voice.
 
8.)  If possible, schedule recess BEFORE lunch.  I learned this when my school did a book study onThe First Six Weeks of School.  What an amazing difference – they get all their energy out before lunch, making for quieter, calmer lunch periods – and happier lunch ladies.  Then, they return to your classroom full, calm, happy and ready for work.  After lunch, plan something quiet and productive like Writing Journals or Silent reading with Reading Response Journals, and watch the amazing work that can be done in the afternoon!

What is your best recess management tip?

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