https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 06:36:06 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1869549 Thu, 18 Sep 2014 23:36:35 +0000 sarac 1869549@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: The charter schools I'm looking into are Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Waldorf based. So, a lot of different, non traditional educational models, where kids are given more latitude to move around and be active than traditional schools. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1869526 Thu, 18 Sep 2014 22:51:58 +0000 daniellemybelle 1869526@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarac: Interestingly the charter schools I am familiar with have more structure, not less. The days are longer, though I don't know about recess. According to my husband who works in this field, it's the intervention orientation that sets them up this way - basically trying to catch disadvantaged kids up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1869477 Thu, 18 Sep 2014 21:51:42 +0000 sarac 1869477@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: That's good to hear! I went to montessori school until middle school, so I don't actually know what goes on in a public school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1868928 Thu, 18 Sep 2014 18:22:38 +0000 Katrocap 1868928@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At my current school it's 15 minutes a day (right after lunch) and all grades (PK-8) have one 45 minute P.E. class a week. At my former school recess was not built into the schedule and usually only grades PK-1 had daily recess, 15 minutes tops. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1868894 Thu, 18 Sep 2014 18:08:56 +0000 Boopers 1868894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: I teach first grade and I have them do their math and reading stations around the room both in desks and sprawled out on the floor depending on what the students choose. I incorporate multiple brain breaks throughout the day whether it's stretching, a fun song on YouTube, etc. My teammates also do the same. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1868873 Thu, 18 Sep 2014 17:51:34 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1868873@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarac: I can't speak for all teachers, but as a 4th grade teacher I almost never required kids to sit still at a desk for more than 40 ish minutes :) we had lots of mini breaks and I had areas set up all over the room (pillows, bean bags, tables etc.) Where they could do their independent work. They only had to be at their desks when I was directly teaching the entire class. I know most of my fellow teachers were similar. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1868847 Thu, 18 Sep 2014 17:14:16 +0000 sarac 1868847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is the exact reason why I'm planning to go charter school for my daughter. I cannot even fathom asking my child to sit at a desk for hours and hours - she would be miserable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1867442 Thu, 18 Sep 2014 08:02:07 +0000 Dandelion 1867442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pepper: That's crazy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1867440 Thu, 18 Sep 2014 08:01:42 +0000 Dandelion 1867440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>25 minutes every day, after lunch. He's in 2nd, though. It was longer in K and 1st. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1867435 Thu, 18 Sep 2014 07:57:52 +0000 Pepper 1867435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: It was just an excerpt from our school district's student handbook for elementary school kids. It was available to download online. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1867425 Thu, 18 Sep 2014 07:50:22 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1867425@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pepper: this is why teachers should make the rules, not politicians. Must. Have. Time. For. Testing!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1867314 Thu, 18 Sep 2014 04:47:33 +0000 Charm54 1867314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: Canada. As a K-2 teacher, I could preach all day long about how important recess and free play are to our learners. It makes for a LOT of extra duty time for teachers, but our kids need it to learn so we don't mind. Our recess and PE minutes are mandated by the provincial govt. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1867297 Thu, 18 Sep 2014 02:40:23 +0000 regberadaisy 1867297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: that makes me so sad. :(</p> <p>@Pepper: how did you get that information? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1867290 Thu, 18 Sep 2014 01:17:17 +0000 808love 1867290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At elem. school it is 15 in the morning and 15 after lunch. Taking LO to the park right after school everyday and on the weekends is cheaper than private school. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1867284 Thu, 18 Sep 2014 00:59:43 +0000 Pepper 1867284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was curious about this, so I looked up our district's policy. 20 minutes, including kindergarten. </p> <p>I just read this blurb: "Recess is mainly for visiting the restroom. If weather permits, part of recess may be outside." Uhhh, really? Do kindergartners have that intense of a schedule that bathroom time can only be squeezed in during a time set aside to get outside? :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1867270 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 23:55:17 +0000 singingbee 1867270@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>20 minutes once a day. K-3 gets 20 min twice a day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1867196 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 21:39:21 +0000 daniellemybelle 1867196@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Charm54: Where do you live? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1866805 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 17:45:28 +0000 Charm54 1866805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow! Our kids get 15-20 minutes first thing, 15 minutes mid-morning and 35 minutes in the afternoon </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1866800 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 17:42:32 +0000 T-Mom 1866800@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think my DD gets 15 min as a first grader in public school. I wish it were more.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1866702 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 16:21:36 +0000 lilteacherbee 1866702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>20 minutes and I think that's insane. I teach pre-k and we have an hour of recess, plus lots of indoor play time. In kindergarten, they get 20 minutes of recess and almost no "down time." That's a looooot of difference in between one year for those babies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1866690 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 16:15:29 +0000 daniellemybelle 1866690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@anandam: Agree!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1866682 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 16:13:05 +0000 anandam 1866682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Crazy when the CDC recommendations say everyone under 18 needs an hour of exercise daily, preferably outdoors when possible. And no wonder so many kids can't sit still without medication. Most adults would have a hard time with that schedule! When our kids hit school age, I think we will prioritize exercise over homework if need be, but schools should take more responsibility for teaching healthy habits and life-work balance! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1866670 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 16:04:53 +0000 Jess1483 1866670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: an 8th grader got hurt on a playground designed for primary. Well, ya think? No real explanation for why the primary kids couldn't keep recess. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1866667 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 16:03:03 +0000 daniellemybelle 1866667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loki: It is shocking to me too :( I genuinely want to know if any private schools around here do it differently because that would entice me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1866641 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 15:52:12 +0000 loki 1866641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: wow that is shocking to me and really, really awful :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1866635 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 15:50:37 +0000 daniellemybelle 1866635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loki: No, it is currently 15 min &amp; will now be 20 min TOTAL recess. I am sure they have lunchtime but it is not outside. They do have PE I believe 3x/week for kindergarteners.</p> <p>@Jess1483: Took it away from ALL the kids?? Wow, why? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1866562 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 15:07:09 +0000 loki 1866562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: wow!!! i have never heard that, that is such a shame!!! i totally agree, kids need time to be outside and run around and get some exercise. that is awful. we always had two recesses and a longer lunch break and i think that was perfect.... even on the coldest days in canadian winter, we were outside! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1866553 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 15:05:01 +0000 Jess1483 1866553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The school where I taught had 15 minutes allotted. Then the principal took recess away completely. I had to fight really hard and come up with an outside "curriculum" to get it back (but I won!) </p> <p>I think it's awful. Kids NEED to run around and play.</p> <p>ETA: A school where I worked in a more affluent neighborhood had 2 15-minute recesses as well as lunch, which was between 30 and 40 depending on how fast the kids ate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1866552 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 15:04:13 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1866552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loki: at our school there was only one recess time </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-is-recess#post-1866551 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 15:04:12 +0000 travellingbee 1866551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our school has a half an hour for each grade. </p>