The Board has asked me to explore adding time for recess/time to eat in the middle school lunch period for students. Many districts in the area do some form of this and we are researching what is happening in our region. We currently offer a 21-25 min lunch period (with passing time before and after), which includes eating and socializing.
I am interested in hearing what concerns or suggestions you may have for consideration. Linda Carroll, Bonnie Johnson Aten and I report to the Curriculum Committee of the Board on Dec. 15.
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For middle school students, I think extra time to run around and burn off energy and to have as many outdoor activities as possible is VERY important for their physical, social, and emotional health. However, as someone who has been on lunch duty for many years, it is a BAD idea to have the extra minutes added on during lunch time. Even though 22 minutes does not seem like a long time, most kids finish rather quickly and then just sit at tables with nothing to do (and you know what they say about “idle hands”!). If the weather is decent, kids can go outside, but often the weather is not cooperative. They also do not have enough time to get outer garments from lockers and then return them before the next classes. It would be good to have a separate time allotted for some type of recess, perhaps at the team’s discretion. Great idea to have an extra recess time… now have fun trying to schedule that into the already over-scheduled day!
I concur with Joy Kipp’s thoughts regarding the extended lunch proposal. I have also supervised middle school lunches for many years and I agree with Joy’s comment as follows, “Even though 22 minutes does not seem like a long time, most kids finish rather quickly and then just sit at tables with nothing to do.”
The only way that I would consider extending lunch time is if there were many teachers supervising the entire lunch period. Teachers would sit at student tables throughout the lunch period helping to supervise table conversation and activities. I am sure that most teachers would find that 22 minutes is sufficient time for lunch.
I feel that it is important to take adequate time to make an informed decision about the recess in middle school topic. If quality education is data driven, then it will be critical for related research on this topic to be collected. This should be followed by a healthy discussion with parents, teachers, staff, and students. I would recommend that diverse collaboration occur through the formation of a committee which includes a variety of perspectives.
I’m troubled about this “conversation” that’s come up regarding recess, particularly at the Middle School level. “Do we believe that all kids need unstructured time to run around – yes! ” It is my belief that that time is after school.
Besides the ample opportunities to participate in high-quality Physical Education classes – every day for 6th graders, and every other for 7 and 8th graders – students have active, engaging classes in school as well as enormous choices in after school sports and after school programs that promote healthy, active lifestyles. Students are frequently changing classes and traveling from one part of the building to another; students are on the move in Middle School, changing classrooms and/or subject matter upwards of 7 or more times daily. In addition to the terrific, healthy breakfast and lunch options offered in our cafeteria, students are active and regularly mobile throughout their Middle School day. Unstructured physical activity and play should take place after school.
Unstructured time for the purpose of play and/or socializing is not appropriate in school where structure and order are the tenets that form the core of formal learning institutions. Unstructured time is an anathema to the mission and goals of schools – to create safe, productive, and healthy learning environments in which students can develop and grow as individuals. Structure provides a framework for social interactions between students and adults. Structure provides a framework for the flow of the school day. Structure provides a framework for the understanding of curricular concepts and goals, as well as insights into the interconnectivity of classes and subjects. Structure is the glue that holds a Middle School day together. Unstructured time should be spent after school.
Working within the limited time we have, which seems to become ever more limited as educational mandates increase, teachers and school professionals strive to fill students’ days with engaging, exciting, and educational opportunities that will serve them for a lifetime. Recess, unstructured play time, playground time, or whatever else a group of parents wants to call it, should take place after school when the “Hallmarks of Excellence” have been satisfied for the day and students can suspend their school business and procedures for rest and relaxation.
I agree 100% with Dan’s comments regarding unstructured recess at the Middle School level. My students have unstructured time for twenty-five minutes daily during school breakfast. During this period I supervise them in physical activities and social groups. In addition to this, all students have unstructured (supervised) time in the morning before they enter the building at 7:50. This provides up to forty minutes for our entire student body.
However, my greatest concern is that the district/board is giving such credence to a small group of parents. This is micro-managing behind a knee jerk reaction. I strongly feel that any decision in this matter is better left to the professionals at Hunt and Edmunds rrespectively. Even in the climate of TEST,TEST, TEST, we still try to honor the whole child. this is done in a variety of ways, many of which are based in Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences.
With all the challenges facing our district I believe it is reactionary and irresponsible for the board/district to seriously consider the idea of recess. What next…school prayer?
Jacky
I am writing in response to the issue of recess in the middle schools. I am very concerned about this issue from a number of points of view. First, while I am in full support of examining new ideas in terms of “best practice”, it is important that our time as professionals be spent on ideas that are based on research that show ways to improve academic performance.
Secondly, as a middle school counselor with 30 years of experience, I can tell you that “unstructured” time in a school setting is counterproductive to all of the work we do on school climate. It is a time when loners feel lonelier and negative social interactions can lead to increased amounts of bullying and harassment. We have worked very hard to provide positive social time through our well supervised breakfast program and lunch programs. Students have passing time every 42 minutes which gives them time to stretch their legs and talk and walk with friends. In addition, in terms of physical exercise, we have a wonderful physical education program that provides 40 minutes of activity every day for 6th graders and every other day for 7th and 8th graders. Our enrichment program offers active games for 7th and 8th graders for 4 weeks out of every marking period. These more “structured” yet active programs teach life long lessons in leading a healthy, active and socially successful life.
I am wondering if the School Board has thought about or considered how our teacher contracts will impact recess options. Lengthening the school day and work day, taking away from student contact time, and layering on additional teacher duties should be considered.