Oct

11

Rethinking Recess, by Bo Keely

October 11, 2006 |

My comments on education, once again, are from the front lines of substitute teaching in Southern California middle and high school for two years. The difference between a sub and a full-time teacher is that I see every of 500 students in all the classrooms each two weeks, whereas regular teachers are cloistered in a single room with five classes of kids all year round.

I tell people that sub teaching is a combo of show business and running a dog kennel. The goal, at least in Southern California, is to keep the pupils from each other's throats, teach them freedom while maintaining respect for proper authority, and carry out the normal teacher's lesson plan which usually is showing a video, for example, 'The Nutty Professor', that I once viewed five times in one day.

It's a tough job, but also the best straight gig I ever had, so there are no complaints, only suggestions. I can tell you from the podium that the first line of defense in the classroom is the class seating chart that allows the profssor to identify and compliment achievers or send fecalcephalics to the office. The second line of defense is recess because, as anyone who has trained animals — kids are little animals and we are big ones– knows, first you wear them down and then you fill their minds with gold.

The omission of recess in school programs is a grave mistake because the kids must blow off steam during the long school day in order to absorb academics. A healthy mind follows a healthy body. Non-requirement of Phys. Ed. class, atop a lack of recess, is a sure recipe for disaster and the subsequent failure of the American society.

I'm willing to deal with the crash of broken mirrors and wastebasket fires in the locker room if you'll vote yes on recess and Phys. Ed. in our public schools.


Comments

Name

Email

Website

Speak your mind

Archives

Resources & Links

Search