Recess in difficult times

In this unique moment in education, it is increasingly difficult to have the bandwidth and space to think about how play can fit into our students’ learning. It is also difficult to be able to focus on our own academic and pedagogical pursuits.

Recess is an opportunity for students to engage in open-ended play-- and is often considered a break in the routine. Recess allows students to be social, take risks, and step outside of many of the constraints of the day. ‘Recess’ brings an opportunity for educators to reconsider what we often think about in traditional educational paradigms -- and bring a time to consider what an alternative, more play-based narrative might look like in school settings- both in remote and in person contexts.

It also connects to how I dove into my love of Mathematics. Throughout schooling, math was of interest as a content area, but I had no love for it. It was... something that needed to be done. I didn't consider myself a - mathematician or even someone who really enjoyed it.

It wasn't until I found connections between mathematics and my other love (Music) was I able to find connections to math and music and how a lot of beginning music theory was built by mathematicians, did I have a desire to learn more about math. That I actually considered myself a mathematician.

Now lets think about our students. The ones that will have ideas about your science and math course before they even meet you. What can we do? How can we help build their connection to science/math? How can we find their ideas to dive into considering themselves mathematicians and scientists? How can you bring RECESS to your own classrooms? That's the REAL goal of this course. Looking forward to what you plan to share!