one more "meddling mom" question about 4th grade re: recess....

[wildernesslodgelover]

How many days a week/minutes per day does your 4th grader get recess?

Up until this year, our kids got daily recess, about 30 minutes a day (few minutes on each side allotted for leaving/returning to the classroom, so maybe 25 min total outside time.)

This year, 4th grade, the kids only get recess 3 days a week, and sometimes, on the days they *do* have recess, it is only 10 minutes. If you see my post about "makeup work" below...I am a little concerned about the increase in class size this year. So, when I casually mentioned to the teacher, "Oh, so they aren't going to have recess daily?" She said, "Well, because we have so many students, we just have too much work. And on days we do get recess, sometimes is is only a few minutes because with all the students we have, some are slow to pack up for the day, so we have to wait for them."

I winced because I am already not thrilled with the class size increase (this is a small private school DD has attended since preK3) and to hear the class size as an excuse bugs me. While the class size is not ridiculous...23 with a full time, certified teacher as an aide...I feel the teacher may be overwhelmed, as she only had 11 students in her class last year.

So...just wondering what kind of recess your 4th grader has! I don't know if there is a set amount that is required or what. Thanks!

 

[Magic Mom]

Our 4th graders don't get recess, they get "wellness" and its 15 minutes a day.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Our 4th graders don't get recess, they get "wellness" and its 15 minutes a day.

oooh, "Wellness???" What is that?

 

[Cindy B]

Most places don't have recess anymore due to rigourous academic standards.

My school does not officially have recess at all.

 

[MM27]

I teach 4th grade in public school (22 kids in my homeroom) and we are only allowed to go out for recess for 10 minutes after lunch. We (the teachers) have complained that it's not enough time for kids to really unwind after the morning, but the rule is set in stone. Can't cut into instructional time. The only time we are able to extend that is during state testing week because they figure after testing all morning they need the break.

My VP is a stickler to the schedule. The kids know that when they see her walk onto the playground, they better head towards the lines. We try to sneak in some extra minutes for them here and there and they seem to appreciate it.

 

[Magic Mom]

oooh, "Wellness???" What is that?

sssshhhhh...it's recess with a fancy name...but don't tell anyone.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Wow! Ok, again, I feel better. I felt like our kids were getting gypped!

You just hear so much these days about childhood obesity, yet we only have P.E. once a week, and now recess is cut??? And when they get home from school, there is so much homework, there is not a lot of outside playtime, either.

Sorry to sound like such a whiner. I have to be careful, as I only have one child so I think i worry about this stuff too much, plus...i really don't want her to grow up too fast, and this year (4th grade) I feel they are really being pushed to grow up. i know, I know...it's necessary. I gotta let go. *sob*

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

sssshhhhh...it's recess with a fancy name...but don't tell anyone.

your secret's safe with me...maybe I will push for more "wellness" on a daily basis!

 

[mumom95]

Our elementary school has grades 1-4. Each of the grades gets 20 minutes for lunch then 20 minutes for recess. If it's below 32 degrees they have indoor recess.

Our intermediate school (grades 5&6) and our middle schools (grades 7&8) each get 25 minutes for lunch and 20 minutes for recess, same rule about temperature.

I am so glad to see that our district has not gotten rid of recess. I think it is kind of sad that so many schools have taken it away. I think taking a 20 minute or so break where they can let loose during the day is good for them.

 

[MM27]

In my district they have two 40 minute PE classes a week, so I guess that's why they figure recess isn't all that important

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Our elementary school has grades 1-4. Each of the grades gets 20 minutes for lunch then 20 minutes for recess. If it's below 32 degrees they have indoor recess.

Our intermediate school (grades 5&6) and our middle schools (grades 7&8) each get 25 minutes for lunch and 20 minutes for recess, same rule about temperature.

I am so glad to see that our district has not gotten rid of recess. I think it is kind of sad that so many schools have taken it away. I think taking a 20 minute or so break where they can let loose during the day is good for them.

Hmmm, we have 30 minutes for lunch. I bet the kids would be willing to give up 5 or 10 minutes of lunch time for more outdoor time! I have noticed most of the kida are done eating after 15 or 20 minutes...that last 10 minutes really is just time for them to get into trouble!

We don't have the trouble of severely cold weather (S FL ) BUT we do have lots of rainy days, drizzly days and YES...sometimes it is "too cold" to go outside...and it is maybe 50 degrees. I guess "cold" is relative!

 

[Tinkabella]

Wow...I never ever thought about this before.

My kids have outdoor recess 15 minutes each day (even in our cold Quebec winter) and our 1 hours lunch is divided..30 minutes for eating, 30 minutes on the playground. My kids are in grade 1 and 3 and they have gym 3 times a week for 45 minutes each time. Physical activity is HUGE here. All of the teachers at our school agree that this is absolutely necessary and they find the students are more focused after they have "run/played" outside.

 

[cindy_belle]

My fifth grader and first grader get 2 recesses a day( morning and afternoon) plus 20 minutes at lunch. They also get 3 days of gym and on those days they drop one of the recess'.

So, total, they get three exercise breaks a day 5 days a week. They are in a very stringent academic school district who feels that exercise is essential for learning.

As much as I value education I am beyond thrilled at the amount of exercise that is incorporated into their day.

 

[sharlon]

In North Carolina it is state law that all publically funded elementary and middle schools have 30 minutes of some type of movement or exercise per day. In our elementary school that means 4 days a week with 30 minute recess and one day a week with an hour long PE class. In our middle school, that means 30 minutes of "energizers". The kids are not allowed to just sit and talk.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

At my school, kids have P.E. twice a week for 51 minutes each. 4th graders generally have recess each day for 20 minutes or so each day, lunch is 30 minutes.

Actually, our 6th grade teachers have had to add on a period of "health/ exercise" once or twice a week because of the new P.E. bill in Florida.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I just found this at http://www.rwjf.org/childhoodobesity/digest.jsp?id=8707
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Florida Schools Scrambling to Meet Physical Education RequirementsPrint E-mail Bookmark RSS Text size: A A A Oct 7, 2008

School districts across Florida are trying to find ways to meet new, stricter guidelines for physical education (P.E.), the Miami Herald reports. Under a state law that took effect last year, schools are required to provide 150 minutes of physical education for middle and elementary school students each week. Some schools initially counted minutes of stretching, recess and health education scattered throughout the day. However, new regulations require that, on any day in which students participate in P.E., they must log at least 30 consecutive minutes of activity. To meet that threshold, some school districts are integrating physical activity into regular classroom time. For example, the Broward school district combines health and nutrition education with physical activity to meet the 30-minute requirement. In addition, most Broward elementary schools offer P.E. at least once a week and all offer recess on non-P.E. days. In Miami-Dade County, the school district has for years required 150 minutes of P.E. per week, mostly provided in 30-minute increments. Next fall, the Miami Herald notes, Miami-Dade middle school students will have to participate in P.E. at least one class period per day for one semester each year (Sampson, Miami Herald, 10/5/08)."

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Not sure I quite understand....in Miami Dade County (where I grew up, BTW, but that was a loooong time ago) they have P.E. every day?

We are now in Broward. I would just like to understand the exact requirement so I can mention it to our principal. Of course our school does not have to abide by county standards, but I would think (for what they are charging for tuition ) they would want to EXCEED those standards.

I really do want my child outside, in the fresh air and sunshine, at LEAST 20 minutes a day. 30 would be wonderful.

 

[PaulaSue]

Every day after lunch for about 20 minutes if I remember correctly.

 

[Michelle67]

Wow! Ok, again, I feel better. I felt like our kids were getting gypped!

You just hear so much these days about childhood obesity, yet we only have P.E. once a week, and now recess is cut??? And when they get home from school, there is so much homework, there is not a lot of outside playtime, either.

Sorry to sound like such a whiner. I have to be careful, as I only have one child so I think i worry about this stuff too much, plus...i really don't want her to grow up too fast, and this year (4th grade) I feel they are really being pushed to grow up. i know, I know...it's necessary. I gotta let go. *sob*

I agree with you. Kids need to get out and get fresh air and exercise. When we go to work we aren't expected to stay at our desk all day long with no break. Kids get lunch but honestly if they buy lunch at school they spend half that time in line and have to wolf down their food, which isn't healthy either.

My fourth grade daughter gets two recesses every day. The first is 30 minutes and the second is 20 minutes. On Fridays they have a third recess which is a reward only for students who finished and turned in all their homework that week.

 

[JennaTX]

Most places don't have recess anymore due to rigourous academic standards.

My school does not officially have recess at all.

What grades are you talking about??

Both of my kids are in Elementary, they both have recess every day.

I don't like that DD (4th grade) only has PE three times a week, I think it should be every day.

Like others have said our children need physical activity, fresh air, and a chance to play and make friends.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Geez Louise! Not having recess is developmentally inappropriate at that age. Their brains can only be turned on for so long!

At the school where I am pre interning in fourth grade special ed my kids get two recesses a day, both about 20-30 minutes. The first one is in the middle of the morning at about 9:45, the second one is after lunch. I couldn't image not having recess for forth graders, I think we would all lose our minds.