It s a cool, crisp, autumn morning as 100 second and third graders burst onto the playground for a much-needed break from the academic demands of the day. Others dart to the play structure supervised by an instructional aide.
Children move in and out of games with ease.
There are no children wandering aimlessly about, and for those who prefer a quieter break in the day, there is a supply of books, paper, and markers under a nearby maple tree. While this scenario may sound too good to be true, it s actually a fairly typical fall recess at our school. It s the result of a concerted effort that began two years ago to address the recurring conflicts and tensions that surfaced daily during recess and lunch. During previous years, we had worked hard as a whole staff to improve the learning climate in our school. Not only was recess filled with conflicts that inevitably made their way back into the classroom, but many students simply had no idea what to do during this time.