Structured vs Unstructured Recess

Most Students Deserve An Unstructured Recess Experience Today I received a phone call from a second-grade teacher. She indicated that she had a behavior challenged child (frequent discipline issues) and was growing pretty frustrated with him. In response to Jeremy (not his real name), who was hitting kids, pushing kids, and causing chaos at recess, [...]

By |2022-07-01T09:39:45-07:00February 22nd, 2013|Featured Articles, Recess|0 Comments

School Recess: When Is It Too Cold To Go Out To Recess?

School Recess: When Is It Too Cold To Go Out To Recess? Part of the Inclement Weather Series By Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer, The Recess Doctor Indoor or Outdoor Recess? When the weather outside is frightful outdoor recess on the playground may not be delightful. Just ask any [...]

Eliminate School Recess? California State University San Marcos

Eliminate School Recess? Let's Skip It! Melinda Bossenmeyer, Ed.D. California State University San Marcos Every decade or so educators stumble upon a really bad idea. The elimination of school recess is one such current example. Citing valid, yet, inconveniencing reasons such as liability concerns, supervision hardships, and the pressure to increase academic achievement, some educators [...]

Peaceful Playgrounds Reduction In Playground Problems

How to have a Peaceful Playground - 1999 Aria Lopez-Rosende Principal, Pioneer Elementary I first learned about Peaceful Playgrounds (PP) as a classroom teacher over 10 years ago and heard about the resulting  reduction in playground problems. Then I became I Principal of Pioneer Elementary in Escondido and realized that with a playground of [...]

Playground Markings Boost Physical Activity

By Cheri Carlson Ventura County Star Newspaper October 2007 New playground game markings boost physical activity. New playground game markings boost physical activity at Camarillo school.  Getting students active is a goal of most schools since the majority of students in elementary school do not get the 60 minutes a day of recommended physical activity. [...]

Sheboygan Falls Elementary Gets a Playground Makeover

Sheboygan Falls gets playground transformation August 2009 By Jeff Pederson Sheboygan Falls - Plymouth, WI When students return to Sheboygan Falls Elementary School for the first day of the 2009-10 school year, a whole new world of fun, fitness, and creativity awaits from the school's playground makeover. Thanks to the initiative, hard work, and dedication [...]

Recess is on the Upswing

America’s favorite pastime may be baseball but for children in school, it's definitely recessed! Just ask a group of students their favorite subject in school and you’re sure to get a loud enthusiastic array of “recess”! And much to the delight of students and parents alike, recess appears to be on the upswing. In 1998, [...]

By |2021-06-16T21:11:05-07:00December 9th, 2012|Featured Articles, Recess|0 Comments

Recess Before Lunch

Thinking about recess before lunch?  These resources will help. As you may know, I’m a retired principal but I’d be the first to admit that changing the education system is a lot like turn a huge cruise ship in a small harbor. Possible but not probable and it requires lots of maneuvering. However, a few [...]

By |2021-06-16T21:11:05-07:00December 9th, 2012|Featured Articles, Recess, Resources|1 Comment

Lessons Learned Educating a Community

A Community Playground Project                         Last summer, I spent 5 days in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on a community playground project at Lanier Elementary School.  It was during the height of summer, in a record setting heat wave painting playground games on [...]

By |2021-06-16T21:11:06-07:00December 9th, 2012|Featured Articles, PE, Recess|0 Comments

10 Rainy and Snow Day Activities for Indoor Recess

10 Rainy and Snow Day Activities for Indoor Recess By Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer, The Recess Doctor Brain Breaks for Indoor Recess And P.E. Are you looking for indoor recess games for elementary students? I've compiled a set of indoor recess games for download below. This [...]

By |2024-04-17T10:36:07-07:00December 9th, 2012|Featured Articles, PE, Recess|1 Comment

Keeping Kids Cool at School

Keeping Kids Cool At School When is it too hot for recess? By Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer, The Recess Doctor When is it too hot for recess? As most of the nation head back to school facing triple-digit heat principals will begin to ask themselves, "When is it too [...]

By |2024-04-17T10:54:03-07:00August 23rd, 2012|Featured Articles, playground, Recess|1 Comment