What do your kids do on rainy days at school? Do you have an idea of what the adult to child ratio is for yard duties?
My son is a kinder. I'm curious because I got to hang out at my son's school during lunch the other day and it was interesting to see what they did. I wasn't happy with what I saw, so curious what happens at other schools. It's a public school, so not sure if that makes a difference.
clementine / 778 posts
The first school I taught at had a rainy day schedule in which lunch was longer. They would usually finish eating around the same time and then would putmusic on and the kids would play freeze dance. Once in a while, they'd play an episode of a cartoon (usually something you would find on PBSkids). Our specialists ran lunch/recess duty there.
At my last school, the teachers took the kids out for recess. When it rained, we had indoor recess. For my class, it was basically free time/choice centers. They got to choose whatever Center they wanted, or I also had board games and art supplies they could use.
My son's school does rotations. The class goes to a different teacher and does an activity/game/project/ etc. But we now live in California and don't have winter, just rainy season, so this is planned into their curriculum.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
Indoor recess on rainy days, or even days that are too snowy and wet.
There's a giant field in the back of the school, but it's a mud pit right now.
hostess / papaya / 10540 posts
@LilSprinkles: So I watched the yard duty try to unsuccessfully put on a video tape of some Disney movie. It didn't work, so she just wanted 3 classrooms worth of kids to just sit and be quiet for the rest of lunch. Another parent that was there decided to at least step in and read the group a couple of books. It didn't go great since they obviously need to get their wiggles out. LO tells me they always just have them sit there. It's usually two people with the kids, from my understanding.
squash / 13208 posts
@Boogs: you mean if they don't have outdoor recess they just sit at the lunch table as "recess"???
hostess / papaya / 10540 posts
@Mamaof2: Three classrooms worth of kids sit in one classroom on the floor. That day was supposed to be a movie, which they apparently don't usually even have. And she just wanted them to sit there and be quiet. Just stood off to the side. I was handling some kids who were hitting each other, since she wasn't doing anything and another parent read two books. DH was also with me and one other parent. I've pretty much been stewing over the last week trying to figure out who to talk to first.
apricot / 308 posts
We live in the PNW which rains often, so keep in mind our schools are built with rainy day recess in mind. The school I work at is older (built in 1960) but they have an undercover area with hopscotch and four square grids that is an option. During morning recess kids have the choice of undercover area or board games in the cafeteria. Lunch recess is harder but kids are offered undercover area or a classroom with a video playing and board games again.
squash / 13208 posts
@Boogs: oh wow! Our kids stay in their own classroom and do centers - I cant imagine cramming 50-60 kids in one room!
hostess / papaya / 10540 posts
@mrsmacSLP: So nice to have covered areas, we lack those here. And our cafeteria is so tiny.
@Mamaof2: More like 75 
@LilSprinkles: @Mamaof2: I'm definitely going to ask about centers, if they need rainy day activities donated (like board games or even more educational movies). And things like freeze dance was a good suggestion.
clementine / 778 posts
@Boogs: I am not a fan of the whole just sitting there quietly. Kids need an outlet to get their wiggles out. GoNoodle is a great site to use too! I use them for "brain breaks" throughout the day.
nectarine / 2180 posts
@LilSprinkles: This is what my DD's teacher uses for brain breaks, and they also do it in the classroom during recess on rainy days.
GOLD / wonderful coffee bean / 18478 posts
They mostly stay in their individual classrooms if they can't do recess outside. There are a few times they've been allowed to go run around in the gymnasium. Maybe the classes take turns doing that or something? Not sure how that works.
hostess / papaya / 10540 posts
@LilSprinkles: I feel the same way. I'll ask about Go Noodle when we chat, thanks!
persimmon / 1420 posts
We send them out! A house didn't fall on anyone's sister, no one will melt if they get wet. They are only inside during torrential downpours. This goes for preschoolers through 8th graders.
honeydew / 7622 posts
I'm from the PNW so most schools here have large outdoor covered play areas- like basketball court size. I also remember playing soccer in the rain/mud at recess.
pomelo / 5866 posts
We rarely have rain where we live but if it is raining during first recess, kids play indoors in the classroom and teachers sacrifice their "duty free" contractual break. Usually it rains second recess on the same day so they miss second recess and wait in the hall. (Teachers didn't get a break first recess so they don't want to cut their already super short and scheduled lunch too. ) However it is 5 mins shorter so they can be ready for students waiting for right outside the door with no passing time from the field. Every minute counts. There is not enough coverage for other options.
eggplant / 11861 posts
@Boogs: I teach in a public school
We stay in our classrooms and do indoor recess
GoNoodle (fun dance/educational songs)
4 corners or Simon says
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