Recess Reset - A script for improving recess behavior

Whole grade level at a time ideally with teacher support.

We are going to do a review of recess routines and expectations. The routines we are going to cover - lining up at the end of recess.

When the whistle blows, this is how you should line up. Model the correct way of walking quickly or jogging to the line and standing facing forward. If I have a ball in my hand, this is what I should do with the ball. Model holding it to your stomach with both hands. If this grade is dismissing while Basketball is playing - make sure to have the location not interrupt games.

Let me demonstrate a few ways you should not line up when the whistle blows.

-Start at the bottom of the play structure. Run up the structure. Do one last slide trip. Amble over to line. Push someone in line. Face sideways and talk.

Let me demonstrate another incorrect way. Someone blows the whistle. Continue to play two touch at the wall. Continue to throw ball up the air while standing in line and passing it with someone.

Let me demonstrate a third way. - Be out at the field with the football. Continue to pass. Eventually slowly walk to line. Continue to throw ball in line.

Can I have one person demonstrate the correct way. I want you to pretend you are playing basketball on this court.

Great - can I have some people who are playing on the play structure demonstrate.

Good - I’m going to give you about 3 to 5 minutes to play and then we are going to practice. DO NOT say a word of reminder after the whistle is blown to come in. No reminding students of the correct way to stand or anything. Let the students become self-managers with their behavior and less dependent on adults!

If mostly decent: Describe what went well. Time students. Give them feedback on their time. Repeat the process of 3-5 minutes to play and practice again. Share with students improvement.

If it is not really great - Let me model how not to do that again. Model the exact behaviors you just saw that was not good. Let me show you the correct way again. Have 1 student model again. 5 students model again. Whole class model again. 3-5 min. Play session and then give feedback.

Now let me demonstrate some expectations.

Here is the correct way to go down the slides. Here are some incorrect ways to go down the slides. (Face first, climb up. Sit at the bottom of the slide. Go immediately after someone else - ask for a student to come down right immediately after you. ) Can I have one person demonstrate the correct way? Can I have 5 people demonstrate the correct way? Does anyone NOT understand the expectation?

Walk over to the garden. Here are some good places to play with friends. Here are some areas where we do not play. Demonstrate running through the garden. Demonstrate climbing the camellia bush. Can someone demonstrate for me how to walk from this side to the otherside of the garden correctly? Can I have 5 people demonstrate that?

One of our school rules is no fake fighting or rough housing. I know this can be fun to do, but we do not have enough people outside to supervise that type of play. You need to do that, if you want, when you are with your adult. Here is what you can not do. Obviously do not use a student model - but pretend to rough house. Pretend to play fight.

Does anyone not understand the recess expectations? Fantastic. Let’s try for recess. I’ll blow the whistle when I want you to line up like we demonstrated.

Blow the whistle if you see multiple (4+) students not following the expectations. Reteach that expectation for everyone. Say something like - I must not have modeled that clearly. Let me show you want I meant. You can not do ____, you may do ____.

Make sure to have the same expectations for lining up as earlier. Do not remind students of how to line up or expectations. Let the routine play out completely.  

What will happen if someone breaks the expectations?

Time one that you are aware of - If you have any question in doubt, have student demonstrate the correct behavior. Do not count this as a warning. When in doubt, assume the child does not understand the expectations. If the child breaks them after they clearly understand, then give a one minute time out.

Time two - walk with teacher for recess

Time three - if student refuses to follow directions in step one or step two, contact office to have a phone call home?

I'll share the script for this at a later date if people are interested.