Recess Troubles |
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Recess is supposed to be fun, but all too often kids spend the time angry with other students, arguing about rules to a game or playing games that get others angry, like chasing them or calling them names. With a little planning you can enjoy your recess and avoid being picked on or becoming part of a group who bully others.
Here are some things to try:
| 1. | Plan a Game of the Week. Work with a group (and maybe your teacher) to have a game or activity of the week. Make sure it isn't too competitive or difficult so that you exclude others. It might be skipping, wall ball, hide and seek or running games. Keep physical contact low so people don't get hurt or angry with each other. |
| 2. | Join a recess activity. Perhaps your school has a jogging club or recess games planned by older classes. If they do, join in or be a volunteer to help run them. If your school doesn't have any planned recess activities, suggest it to your principal or gym teacher. The more organized your recess activities are, the less fighting and bullying will happen. |
| 3. | Know your safety zones. Are there places on the playground that are safer than others? Are there places where teachers can't see you as well such as a tree lot, between portables or around a corner of the school? Avoid those places. Stay out in the open, close to supervision. Does your school have a ‘Safety Zone’? This spot on the playground would be a place to go for help. When you stand there, a teacher or playground patroller will come and help deal with the problem. If your school doesn't have this kind of spot, perhaps you could suggest it to the principal or to your teacher. |