The Debate about Recessby Lisa Weinberger | More from this Blogger 14 Mar 2006 08:48 AM A school in Washington, D.C. is standing up for their rights to continue recess for their elementary students. It is a fact that U.S. schools focus on getting the highest test scores and teaching to the standardized testing; but what about the free time children need called recess. Teachers, parents, and students have written letters to the government explaining their stance about taking away recess in the elementary schools. When I first taught elementary school in Fair Lawn, NJ, to my surprise my third grade class, 8-year olds, did not have recess! I incorporated a 20 minute break each day into my class schedule because I felt a system that did not give children a time to rest their brains, is not a productive one. Think of the corporate world and all the breaks employees take through out the day. Whether if it's a cigarette break or a walking break; no matter what age we all need to stand up out of our chair and give our brain time to relax. The same goes for children. Although at a young age, children's minds are sponges and they do soak up information quickly, that doesn't mean bombarding them for four hours straight with information is going to push the test scores higher. The recess debate is in conjunction with the No Child Left Behind Act. Due to this lovely policy the government feels is the greatest plan alive; the reality is not true. It promotes social promotion of students and every student somehow can get NCLB accommodations. The learning disability accommodations and laws protecting the LD are great BUT students now have begun using their paperwork as an excuse to perform under their capabilities. The push for test scores and passing students onto the next grade level is the reason why recess is being taken out of many of the elementary schools. Physical education twice a week for one hour does not replace 30 minutes of pure free time play. Children need to learn how to play and cooperate with peers and without recess, the children never learn this important skill for their future. Learn more about Lisa Weinberger  Lisa Weinberger began her career as a teacher and private tutor 15 years ago, and has taught preschoolers to adults. Lisa spent 4 months in Israel teaching English to Israeli students. Relevanteducation tags User Comments  Nicki Bradley (1578) 14 Mar 2006 03:11 PMGreat article! Our old school cut out recess in their full-day Kinder program becuase they needed to fit in *economics* lessons in preparation for future state testing. They also cut out snack. It was horible.  Lisa Weinberger (1623) 14 Mar 2006 03:15 PMHi, Thank you for the compliment! Yes, I couldn't believe recess has been cut out in many schools around the US. The government needs to realize bombarding 1st graders with constant preparation for standardized testing has gotten out of hand. My one experience with this broke my heart when the students all started crying because it was too much for them to comprehend. I hope more schools begin to protest their recess being cut out of their child's school day.  babydawn (7008) 08 Apr 2006 08:38 PMIf you want to get your children involved, go to www.rescuingrecess.com. They have letter templates that your kids fill out and send in, preaddressed and everything. I think we can make a difference if more people will just get involved and write letters to the appropriate people. Thank you for addressing this issue. My children's recess is not yet at risk, but I worry if things keep going like they are, that their recess will be. I will not stand by and watch, and I hope others do not either. Get involved! Lisa Weinberger (1623) 10 Apr 2006 02:44 AMThanks for passing along this website! I agree, recess should not be taken away and as I wrote above, it happened in some NJ schools (back in 2001). Anyone who wants to help, please go to the website www.rescuingrecess.com and pass this along to friends, family members, teachers, and classmates. izpa95 (11) 17 Sep 2007 12:21 PMMy children attend Aldine ISD in TX, and A year ago, I found out that the school that my children attended had recess maybe once twice a week, or maybe none at all. Recess depended on if the class had time after studying thier strategies for the TAKS test for that day! And if they did, the teacher might take it away from them if the class upsets them. The school is only concerned with its ratings on the TAKS test and "Producing only the Best" children no matter to what extent! My children, at the time a 1st grader & a 4th grader, would come home mentally exhausted, but with like bottled up energy! I couldn't get them to do there homework until several hours had passed. I can't understand how the school systems/government would expect children to do thier best and yet exhaust them to the fullest. Yet, they are quick to label children as ADHD or wonder why many are overweight or obese?!? I know that nutrition is a very important factor as well! And the schools aren't doing a very good job in that area either! So they don't promote good nutrition, they don't promote exercise, but rather to have children sit all day. I do believe that children, like adults, need a break from the mental strains of the day! Especially, the pressures they are having to endure about learning the techniques and strategies for passing the TAKS test!! I have often been advised to just accept what happens in the school systems, that there is nothing I can do! I always felt otherwise! I knew there had to be a way to fight this, and possible other issues that concern me in the school system!! I would really like to get more involved in rescuing recess! Please post more information and ways to get others involved!! izpa95 (11) 17 Sep 2007 01:53 PMI am sorry, I didn't quote the school correctly! Aldine ISD's motto is "Producing the nation's best", the only problem is they are not caring how they acheive this! Unfortunatly, they are not the only ones. Community Tags izpa95, Recess, school days Discuss this article
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