The Edutopia Poll
by Sara Bernard
To many a teacher, parent, and kid's dismay, some say school recess is on the wane. Despite research that points to the many physical, social, and cognitive benefits of unstructured playtime, the pressure to meet state and federal standards is forcing many schools to cut corners, and recess is often the first thing to go. Is this a valid national concern, as grassroots coalitions such as Rescuing Recess suggest, or do most schools have enough free time? Data released by the National Center for Education Statistics (nces.ed.gov) indicates that in 2005, 83 to 88 percent of elementary schools had some form of recess five days a week. If there are cutbacks, are they making much of a difference in schools? We're interested in your opinion.
New Zealand School
Submitted by Aaya Burhan (not verified) on December 27, 2006 - 07:21.
I just 'graduated' from intermediate. At my school, like most other New Zealand school starts at 9:30a.m. and finishes at 3:00p.m. when i get back home i feed my dog take my dog for a walk then come back and study for 1 hour, I then have dinner which takes around about 30mins after that I have 1 hour to do whatever i want. I read books for 30mins and then go to sleep. That is my average weekday (may vary due to occasions, going to a friends place, dog obedience classes etc.). So, overall, its not that bad. I don't think the school hours need to me lengthened or shortened, even the asian exchange/homestay students find that New Zealand is way behind and we have too much leisure time (which is a good thing). So in my opinion school time is fine the way it is.
Australian Teacher
Submitted by Wafia Al-rikabi (not verified) on October 16, 2008 - 04:02.
I Live in Oz and find that my school differs from other schools in Australia. For instance School Starts at 8:30am and ends at 2:40pm. I used to like In New Zealand and find that I agree with you that school time is good as it is. I guess that your school is better because it beets the traffic congestion at peak hour but yes, I do have to wake up early. Though, we get more leisure time after school wich is also a plus. Hey, could you please reply, because, I have this feeling that I Might know you?!?! Awkward.
Thanks
school days are too long if
Submitted by grace puckey (not verified) on October 16, 2006 - 19:15.
school days are too long if you think about it the kids spend about 2 hrs of the working day doing pe, and having morning tea and lunch breaks, so they only leads about 4 hours of actually learning... and you usaully arnt learning for that whole time. usually only 3 and a half hours why don't we start school at 9 and finish at like 12 30 with no lunch breaks of anything so we can learn and not muck around for half the day doing pe and stuff.
i should know i am a 13 yr old that goes to intermediate, i wake up at 6 30 get ready for school, come home at 3 by the time i get home 3 30, do my homework usaully for about 45 min, do my paper round and chores for about 1 hr and a half and then by the time i go on msn and have dinner and watch a bit of tv you have too go to bed, you only have about 2 hrs of rest...........
so think about that and make the school days shorter
At my school, it is so
Submitted by Gloria Piraino (not verified) on June 28, 2006 - 19:43.
At my school, it is so over-crowded that we are on multiple sessions. This makes 'after school activities' very difficult. There is no such thing as an available room during the school day, either. As the director of my school's plays and advisor to our drama club, this is a particular problem because we cannot hold proper rehearsals.
Most of our students have one 45-minute physical education period, and it is structured. There is a 45-minute lunch period too, but students are 'captive' in the cafeteria. Their only recourse is to do 'service' in a department office, which at least gets them out of the cafeteria.
I have found that when I let my students have the freedom to 'play' (as long as they all 'play' together), they often come up with ingenious ideas. Better still, after these 'play activities', I find my students get along better with each other and really look forward to the next lesson.
The constant barrage of standarized tests, and the vast preparation this engenders, is making Jack a very dull boy indeed.
'Educrats' wish to eliminate
Submitted by Chuck Fellows (not verified) on June 28, 2006 - 22:10.
'Educrats' wish to eliminate free time for the operation of the intellect in the instutional environment referred to as 'school.'
Absolute control in order to deliver the timeline paced content driven curriculum is the goal. Thinking might lead to those annoying questions such as "Why?" which then might lead to dialogue and real intellectual engagement.
Soon classes will be led by nanobots programmed to deliver the content deemed appropriate by political functionaries... or are we there already?
Why else are we compelled by those that know better to view education as a linear voyage through time; and academic disciplines as separate and distinct fields of study never to collaborate in the creation of a real learning environment?
As a result of students at
Submitted by Sherri L. Johnson (not verified) on June 29, 2006 - 11:15.
As a result of students at our buliding not receiving recess, of any kind, they work diligently to create it at all costs and in every structured class room setting. Throughout the entire school day, by default, teachers act as playground monitors in an effort to establish and maintain a safe and productive learning environment.
Added to this lack of adequate student downtime during school, is the harsh reality of funding having been cut to retain elective classes. Only a fraction of our students are scheduled in the gym or computer classes--the remaining two electives. This added twist is further exacerbated by the Urban, economically disadvantaged setting in which I teach. When I asked two disruptive students who had just returned from a district-wide three-day break, "Didn't you visit at each others' homes over the Break?" They replied in unison, "Nope! My mama don't let me go over nobody's house!" I pursued, "You cannot even play together outside?" The reply was spiked with laughter, "No way!"
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