“I have learned new ways of improving play, and recess at my school”. – Walema Kwanza Ntele

“Thank you for advocating for recess and physical exercise for students. Along with providing professional development that is specific to physical education. It is obvious this class was developed by a professional. After taking this course, I am happy to say our school has implemented recess before lunch (of course this is in addition to morning recess.)” – Julie G Wade

“This course has opened up a whole new way to look at how my current school does recess. We have actually added a second recess time due to the current research on how recess improves learning and the whole body overall. Although many concepts have been used before, I have found many new concepts that I would like to try out at my school. The course overall was well thought out, planned and had a good flow”.
– Steve Pietrzak.

Welcome!

We are pleased that you have decided to take this Playground Games and Strategies for Improving Recess. Below you will find a course description, the instructor’s biography, and course FAQs. This course is on-demand and may be taken anytime within a two-week time frame. You can come back to the course and finish it within two weeks. The course is available 7 days a week and 24 hours a day.

If you have any questions about the course, contact us at info@peacefulplaygrounds.com

We hope you enjoy the course!

Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer

Peaceful Playgrounds, Inc.

CEO

Course Description

The Playground Games and Strategies to Improve Recess is designed to introduce administrators, teachers, substitute teachers, physical educators, parents, after-school personnel, and playground supervisors to the responsibilities and strategies associated with organizing a successful recess. This course outlines how to make recess safe, fun, and orderly without “structuring recess”.

This is an online on-demand course. Once you enroll in the course and pay for the course, you will be directed to the log on and spot to begin the course. Students can progress through the readings and final quiz at their own pace during the 2 week enrollment period.

Target Audience

The online class is designed for physical education teachers, adapted physical education specialists, classroom teachers, student teachers, substitute teachers, after-school program personnel, administrators, and specialists who want to learn more about the responsibilities of organizing recess at an elementary school.

You do not currently need to be actively employed or working with students.

Course Goals

1. You will acquire a better understanding of how to organize elementary school recess.

2. You will understand the research behind the importance of recess.

3. Understand how to play some of the most popular recess games.

4. Understand the techniques and methods for supervising children on the playground.

5. Understand how to manage student behavior on the playground.

Course Content

The course is divided into 5 areas:

1. An overview of elementary school recess, including why recess is so important and the research supporting recess.

2. Organizing for recess success, including a sample comprehensive plan for recess, tips for a kid-friendly playground, playground rules for safe play, and organizing recess equipment.

3. How to play some of the most popular recess games and an overview of the importance of age-appropriate games.

4. Managing behavior at recess, including playground supervision, conflict strategies, procedures for an organized recess, and how to discipline children at recess.

5. Recess Initiatives including kids’ right to recess, alternatives to withholding recess, and recess before lunch.

Learning Materials

The following learning materials are available for download within various sections of the course:

• Recess Choices Posters
• Ten Rainy Day Strategies for Indoor Recess and Physical Education
• Ten Tips to Improve Playground Supervision
• Rock, Paper & Scissors Poster and worksheets.
• Right to Recess Campaign Presentation
• Right to Recess Tool Kit.
• Recess Advocacy Handout
• 62 Alternatives to Withholding Recess
• Positive Alternatives to Withholding Recess
• Alternatives to Withholding Recess for Discipline Reasons
• Recess Before Lunch a Principal’s Cheat Sheet
• Fact Sheet Benefits of Recess Before Lunch
• Benefits of Recess Before Lunch District Sample
• Why Play Article
• Recess Basic Equipment Pack Suggestions
• How to Manage Discipline on the Playground
• Crucial Role of Recess in Schools
• Ten Reasons Why Recess is so Important
• Strategies for Recess in Schools
• A Guide for Putting Recess Strategies into Place
• Five Tips for a Kid-Friendly Playground
• Playground Report Form
• Ten Tips for Getting Your Grant Funded

Grading

Each student taking this course will take a 20 question final quiz at the end of the course. A score of 16/20 will be required to pass the course. A student may retake the course anytime within the 2-week window to improve their score. Students who receive a score of 16 or higher out of 20 will receive a completion certificate.

Course Dates

This is a self-paced on-demand course that you make take 7 days a week and 24 hours of the day.

Course Syllabus

Playground Games and Strategies For Improving Recess Syllabus download

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Special Pricing for school groups and districts are available.
Please contact us at 951-245-6970 for more information.

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Instructor

Melinda Bossenmeyer, Ed.D. holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from U.C.L.A. She has an MS and BS in Kinesiology from California State University Fullerton. She holds a K-12 teaching credential in Kinesiology and Health. She holds a K-16 Administrator Clear Credential from UCLA.

Dr. Bossenmeyer taught for 27 years at public, private schools, and universities. She was a site principal and County Office Administrator as Director of Professional Development.

She is an expert witness in cases involving supervision and injuries on playgrounds in school settings.

She has authored 5 books on playgrounds and physical education. She has served on a variety of National Committees and State Boards on playgrounds and physical education.

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