Just keep reading and connect some dots!
Those of us old enough to remember JFK, the President, should remember this:
https://youtu.be/fISgKl8dB3M?is=IVco5mcqr71hdCkM
I do not remember recess as a child, but I do remember it as a teacher. I did understand that children need to "get up and dance", which is one reason, seasoned, "straight row teachers" called my first classroom with work stations, "organized chaos". It took time, and plenty of it, to organize that "chaos". Please do not associate the chaos created in school violence with my teaching style. The children had fun and were controlled for discipline and focus. Truly, turning the lights out for attention worked well. Only one time did I fail to get the eyes and ears in an acceptable, professional manner. I uttered "shut up", a moment that makes me cringe even today.
I considered my room quite organized, and not chaotic, but movement driven by skills and interest levels. Upon arriving in my class on her first day, and my first day as a first grade teacher, Jennifer M. (last name I still remember), looked at inherited toys on the shelf aa "baby toys". I spent a lot of money (too much) on school supplies after that comment. I could have saved for a mortgage!
But movement about a classroom is neither recess or physical education, so my students still needed the schedules for gross motor moving and unstructed play.
To think today, in an organized adult work place, adults get punished for getting up from their desks. No more than 30 minutes for lunch and 30 minutes of break ( adult recess) per day. Exceed the average per month, and the "watchers" get upset and monitor your every locked screen.
Are they the same people who took away physical ed or recess?
Now per the article and documentary teasers in the links below, if you take away recess, you maybe breaking a law. Recess, they say, improves the mental health of students. Would more recess factor into safer schools?
I liked other forms of time outs, so I do not think I would have broken any recess law. I did not think birthday treats were legally driven but boy did I catch holy hell for thinking that they were a treat, not guaranteed. One violent child and one very spoiled child in a class can lead to consequences imposed on the teacher. Sometimes, taking away recess seemed to make the most sense. Cupcakes to some are mandatory but I digress.
We all need to move. Recess is generally for kids, but depending on the kids, it can be stressful for the adults. It was at recess that JT told at least one other child that he had a gun with him. Who is JT.? Check out other blog posts on the Newport News school.
Recess was not an easy time with my student in 1998. I heard through former colleagues that my favorite Pipa took to having the kids walk during recess due to behavioral issues at recess not due to any particulat student. In 1998, that new, large school with everything smaller even impacted recess. The playgrounds were tiny.
Recess is unorganized, but supervised free time. It can be chaotic with 30 to 60 kids on the playground with only 2 pairs of eyes watching. The best scenarios involve children running, jumping, playing hopscotch, or jumping rope. Double dutch, anyone? Kickball? Swings and monkey bars are fun, well, until someone gets hurt. Then a new law gets requested or someone gets sued. Remember dodgeball?
My last year of teaching, the other second grade teacher in our small school often took recess away and used it for more academic time. A first grade teacher also did the same thing. I thought they were wrong. Rainy day recess made it painfully obvious that outside, free play recess worked best (as long as the temperature was above 32 degrees fahrenheit and not scorching heat! Today, add in air quality alerts!) I understood movement! The kids needed a break.
Some began to think that there ought to be a law to bring back, improve or protect recess. Do you ever wonder why I tell perspective teachers to get a law degree before certification?
Pennsylvania Recess Law new in 2026
Recess laws by state as of 2025 so Pa is not listed
Physical education, once a daily occurence, took cuts over the years. It was maybe twice a week when I was still teaching. Now some schools only offer it once a week. Recess is a tricky way of getting around the time guidelines and laws for phyical fitness. Is JFK rolling over in his grave?
The push to bring recess back is discussed in all the links. This article may be behind a pay wall, but there are voices lobbying and speaking up so it sparked my interest.
Copy and paste:
This article introduces a documentary about recess. These links below are promotions. Is organized education, a social disaster in the making? This documentary is behind a pay wall so getting access maybe difficult. Isn’t that what happens when education is private. Third world countries maybe able to shed some light on that subject. Access?
https://youtube.com/shorts/l6RQKrgggfc?is=_nZFc3gqcNlq2iYB
Copy and paste:
Where to Watch The Death of Recess | Angel https://share.google/VYnwhLV8F3wwzqOOd
Can the lack of recess lead to school violence? Will more physical activity help before a child breaks completely?
Due to Covid, I am not a fan of the CDC. But, this link has other links and so on and so on snd so on! The CDC lied to us but maybe some information will be helpful. Read all CDC information with care. It is a private organization and money talked during covid.
How did lockdowns affect recess?
Copy and paste:
Recess | Physical Education and Physical Activity | CDC https://share.google/Chmkd2YTwUyQz4M1f
Some people have very negative views of public education with good reason, with beauracy and political activism. If we could get back to basics of actually educating children both academically and physically can there be positive change? Will some ideas presented by the producers of the documentary or the articles help with school safety? Make a list.
If shakng the wiggles out is a step in the right direction, then get up and dance (but do not shut up)!
Be silly and shake. Shake, shake, shake those sillies out
More fun research..you may remember
Read the last chapter in my book. Have hope that we can do better!
Sometimes solutions to major problems are simple. Pieces of a puzzle can begin to show a brighter picture when we make connections.
Now if corporate America could listen and learn.
Marian R. Carlino
August 23, 2026