School's Not Out Forever--Or Even for Recess

Recess (noun): temporary withdrawal or cessation from the usual work or activity.

When it comes to elementary school, then, recess--or, as we used to refer to it, "REEEEEE-CESSSS!!!!!!!"--is a withdrawal from teacher-imposed tasks, lessons--activities.

Except when it isn't.

In an effort to minimize disruptive, bullying, and/or selfish behavior, some schools are now employing "recess coaches" to plan and supervise activities during those precious moments of heretofore "free" time ("Forget Goofing Around: Recess Has a New Boss").

How does one become a "recess coach"? Does one major in recess in college? Can one get a an MA, Rec.? Maybe the Solipsist can open a trade school to train prospective recess coaches and clean up on federally-subsidized loans (see yesterday's post).

Speaking as more of a bully-ee than a bully-er, the Solipsist is in favor of schools taking steps to monitor and thereby discourage such activities. We don't necessarily think a rigid schedule of recess activities is necessarily the best solution, though. We think imprisoning bullies in stocks and letting victims take free shots would be a far more effective remedy, but that's a whole 'nother topic.

More importantly, we think that kids need the opportunity to be kids. We think it was Margaret Mead who observed that, "The more complex the mind, the greater the need for play." Or maybe it was Mr. Spock. Either way, though, the point is valid. Kids need unstructured play, and if a rough and tumble recess is the price we pay for mental complexity, we think it is well worth the cost.

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More from the article:

"Last year in Kearney, Neb., the district had a university professor and five students teach recess games and draw in students who tended to stand against the fence." Your tax dollars at work, Nebraska!

"'Before, I was seeing nosebleeds, busted lips, and students being a danger to themselves and others,' said Alejandro Echevarria, the principal [of Broadway Elementary in Newark, NJ]. 'Now, Coach Brandi does miracles with 20 cones and three handballs.'" Miracles, indeed! At first, she had only two cones and one handball! Jesus has nothing on her!