recess first

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Home : 2008 : April : 8

recess first
By bellringer

In my ten years in second grade, I have had it both ways. I personally preferred the "eat first" routine. Students could wash hands and then would put on outside gear in the classroom (boots and snowpants are necessary
five months of the year), but leave coats unzipped and put hats and mittens in pockets or just carry. I could walk my students to the lunchroom and monitor the few minutes it took them to go through the lunch line. Noon supervisors would take over for the 20 minutes of eating (whether done eating early or not) and then escort them outside for the 20 minute recess.

A new building

administration has mandated that students have recess first. The rationale being digestion and not running around on a full stomach. I would guess that they are also more relaxed about eating. The part I really dislike is that the students come into the classroom (coat room) and hang up coats, hats, and mittens, halfway through my lunch break. They keep boots and snowpants on. It would be too time-consuming to change right then. They use the restrooms before going to the lunchroom. This is all supervised by the noon supervisor for my class, so it really isn't all that disruptive, but I have lunch in my room, and I do value my kid-free time. :-)

Bottom line. . .it can work either way. But a lot depends on how much supervision you have.