Recess: Right or Gift?

Let me start by saying I think I truly have the best mentor teacher possible. She is willing to let me try almost anything in her classroom, which provides me with great incite into what works and what doesn't. She has let me totally change the set up of our room as well as add reading and writing workshop. She rocks!

The one thing we really don't agree on is Recess. In my opinion, (obviously because this is my blog) recess is a right. It is unrealistic to expect young children to have the ability and motivation to "sit still and behave" for 8 hours straight. He** I cant attend one of our 3 hour classes with out leaving the room at least 3 times.

In most careers, adults are in control of their own schedules. They can pee when the want, eat when they want, stand up when the want, etc. But in many classrooms, the children are given little choice/ control if any. They are told "no you can not use the restroom right now, it is inconvenient for me!" In my opinion, this is unrealistic and not productive at all. I believe there needs to be boundaries for the child to follow, but everyone knows, when you "gotta go" all you are thinking about is how bad you have to "use it" (as my children say). Meaning, even if they aren't in the bathroom during instructional time they aren't paying attention at all!

Recess is the one time during the day that a child can choose to run, slide, skip, climb or sit. The one time during the day they truly are in control. The phrase "they aren't paying attention, they don't deserve recess" is totally counterproductive! If they can't sit still and pay attention, it is CRUCIAL they have time to run around and get their energy out!

Right now in Cincinnati it has been too cold to go outside :( So we dance! The children love the song "Peanut Butter Jelly Time" and yesterday we learned the "Cha Cha slide". This doesn't give them the same relief as running out side, but they seem to really enjoy it and it helps get their wiggles out.

Any other song ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!

- Miss Hansen