[Narrator] Your school may have a lot of room for kids to play and that's great.
You can help set up the environment so your students want to move and enjoy recess
even more. If you haven't done so already take some time to map and zone the
playground. It will help ensure that all kids have a safe place to play and that
high-energy games don't dominate. We'll give you a few tips on zoning your
playground shortly. First let's hear from schools on how they approached this.
[Shannon] So we created an active recess hallway or zone so that recess can always start with a grounding.
Kids hear each day what the previous day's success was
[Sharron] and they have something that they need to work on. Okay today we're gonna work on a zero voice
from the playground door to the cafeteria door so that other kids can learn.
[Shannon] We revisit the pride expectations, we revisit what active recess means,
so as they're in the active recess zone or hallway
the kids get to think okay that zone's open that's where I want to go.
They know if they need to grab a ball. They know they need to get partners. They know
that type of thing and they can set themselves up for that success.
[Sharron] We found an aerial shot of our playground and we blew it up and we started looking at it
and said okay it makes sense that if we want to have a game of the day it would
happen here. Our playground is zoned out and our recess teachers or recess
supervisors have different zones and different responsibilities so that they
can learn all the names of the kids that they're interacting with.
[Narrator] Ensure your playground has painted lines for games like Foursquare, kickball, etc.
You can even make painting the lines a capstone project for older students and
volunteers. Have a designated buddy bench so everyone has a group or buddy to play with.
Let's see how we can zone the playground. A few tips before we get started.
Your map should be simple and easy to understand.
Color coding can help with understanding. Use technology if it's available and
check with your colleagues to see if they can help.
The first step: assess current playground space to identify available space, equipment and safety
concerns. Then consider what you want to include in the map: play zones for choice
and imagination play; stationary and mobile equipment and group games; a
convenient spot to collect equipment; a zone for quiet activity groups and other
zones popular for your students. [Shannon] The zones help us communicate to the
students these are the ones that are open today that you get to play on. They
know in the spring of the year when our green area is swampy we don't go on it.
It becomes closed for that reason. It also lets kids know in this zone this
is what I do. When I'm in the four top forest I don't go up slides I go down
slides. So each zone has an expectation to it
and the kids know that expectation.
[Narrator] Start with a site map from the internet.
Google Earth can be an option, then mark paved areas, grassy fields, gardens, woods
and sidewalks on that map. Add permanent playground fixtures, painted game
markings, fences, shrubs or trees and the overall recess perimeter.
If boundaries aren't marked on your playground, now is the time to have a
plan for that. Use spray chalk, paint or cones. Mark
areas for younger children who need closer supervision. Consider creating a
roughly 10 foot out of bounds area between school buildings and playground
to stop children from playing next to windows.
Use the map to highlight activity zones and boundaries; an area for ball games
ideally far enough away from the building to avoid balls ending up on a
roof or breaking windows; a Four square area; an area for stationary games such
as jump rope or hula-hoop; a group game area. Your goal is to have this area be a
grassy field. If this area is a paved surface adapt playground expectations
appropriately to ensure safety. Mark quiet activity zones possibly including
a yoga or stretching zone. Mark walking circuits or walk-and-talk paths often
outside the perimeter. Add a science/nature discovery zone. As part of getting
your area ready, it's important to identify equipment considerations during
recess. Here are some tips: have an identified equipment distribution and
collection point. Store equipment in easily accessible bins or wheeled carts.
Label all equipment with a permanent marker. Ensure that equipment is
age-appropriate. Teach sharing and trading equipment. Teach kids rules for
returning equipment at the end of recess. Have a clear signal when it's equipment
collection time. Have a plan for maintenance and replacement of equipment.
Store equipment in a safe place when not at use. Finally, print out large posters
of the activity maps and post them near the playground and in hallways that lead
to the playground. If posters are laminated, play areas or
changes can be marked directly on the map. Create electronic versions that can
be projected for the class when teaching expectations. This is your first step in
mapping your playground and setting your recess up for success.