All work and No play...

Today’s schoolyards are quiet in the morning and afternoons because children are not found running, talking, or laughing on it and this may be how schools are going to stay because some districts are eliminating recess. Because most schools want a to improve their academic performances “You don't do that by having kids hanging on the monkey barsâ€

I wrote an essay about this once..I believe that it is important for children to have recess and elective classes in schools. I mean really if a child is involved in busy work the entire time he or she is at school they are going to get tired of it very quick. I believe that the children are going to start hating school at earlier ages causing the drop out rates to go sky high, and maybe even at ealier ages. Give the children a break and let them have a litte fun.

I have a heard a lot of talk about this and I think it is completely ridiculous. Recess is one of the most important times of the day because it gives kids time to be social. If there is just work all day there will be no time for interaction, and what good will it do to have students who can pass tests but don't know how to communicate with eachother or build relationships? Recess isn't just about having fun, it's just as important as academics.

This makes me so mad and I agree that it is ridiculous! The arts and other electives and recess offer students something so vital to not only their education but who they are! Also recess is so important for kids to interact and also be active. Look at what is fed to students at lunch! Kids are living off of greasy pize and french fries....they need to go outside and play! Obesity is a growing problem in America and if kids are told that playing outside and being active is not important for them to do than that problem is only gonna get worse! Even aside from that there are SOO many other important things about giving students an opportunity to play. For the sake of the future of our country and our students things need to definitley be reevalutated as to what is getting cut out!

I will second Torrey's opinion. There is just so much pressure on schools, administrators, and teachers to keep raising their academic achievement and to show improvement and to stay in business! But there is also a great deal of pressure on the United States to decrease the current obesity epidemic that is sweeping the nation. Where do kids spend lots of their time and eat a lot of (unhealthy) food? At school. Cutting out recess is taking away valuable time for activity that cannot be supplemented anywhere else. I'm in my elementary ed PE class right now, and the requirements for time spent in physical activity/PE per day are pretty high due the the obesity problem our nation has. How can cutting out recess even be an option? Not only is this an opportunity for physical activity that almost no children want to miss out on, but it develops social skills as well. In my opinion, this is not an optional opportunity for schools to allow their students, this is a necessary requirement.

I dont like the lack of activity one bit. I do understand however the pressures that teachers and principals face to meet standards each year. More and more pressure is being put upon schools each year and it's scary. Children are becoming robots that sit in front of tv's and computers because they arent used to physical activity or mind stimulating activities. If something isnt done we are going to have a generation of serious couch potatoes!

I think that Torrey made a very good point about kids dealing so much with obesity and why it is so important to allow kids to have recess. I think that kids should have the opportunity to have fun at school and for some kids who have trouble with their academics this gives them away to release their frustration and just have fun. Courtney is also right, it is scary to think but in a few years it seems that we are going to be teaching to kids that are viewed as robots and nothing else. People who agree with taking away recess and elective classes think that they are only doing it for the benefit of the children, so that they may become brighter students and learn more. But really it's not even about the children. It's all about trying to succeed with higher test scores year after year because the teachers are worried that they may lose their jobs because of all of the new laws relating to education. I think it is better for the students to be well rounded individuals and to have more of a well rounded education. School should be more about the students.

I feel like students need recess and electives! Recess is a time where they can get out their excess energy that has built up and have fun with their friends!!! I think electives are so important, because some students express themselves the most through elective classes such as, music, drama, art, etc. I feel like by taking these two things away we are cutting out two very important components to the school day! Children look forward to recess and electives and by taking those away we are eliminating their ways of expressing or letting out frustrations anger, or just simply their feelings!! I think it's absurd to remove those two things from the school day!!!

This makes me just as mad as everyone else. Recess is a vital part of the day, especially for elementary students. What about all of the kinesthetic learners out there who are cooped up in a classroom all day? They need to move! They need that to stimulate their mind. I think that recess can only be helpful for students. It warms them up for the next event, and it makes them more excited about being in school. If you think about it; an elementary age student has the attention span of what...a minute? They are in school for 6 hours a day, and we're supposed to expect them to be on their toes the entire time. To me recess isn't a break, it's more like a time to recharge their batteries and get ready for the rest of the day.

I agree with everyone. Kids need time to refocus, just like teachers do. A short period of time where the kids can be active is so vital to education and HEALTH. What are they thinking?? sometimes I think they are NOT.

Banning Recess -

No recess affects academic performance and results to more fidgety children in the classroom (in schools without recess, the amount of instructional time is lost). I believe children as well as teachers need a break. Children love recess because they get a chance to interact (learn social skills on the playground) with their peers and do things on their own. Banning recess can also boost obesity because exercise and movement are important for people to stay healthy.

Elementary schools in states such as California, Oregon, Wyoming and South Carolina, are banning games including tag, touch football, and soccer because the activities are dangerous. These states claim that these types of games turn into pushing, shoving, and slapping, which can result in broken arms and dislocated fingers. As a result, these states feel that banning recess will help keep kids from getting hurt.

All work and no play...