Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Wiping Tables

Last night I went up to say goodnight to Ridge and he started telling me about his day. For 15 minutes he told me about his lunch duty of wiping up his table after everyone has finished lunch. I guess that this responsibility is passed around from student to student by the lunch duty leader. He wasn't crying but he was upset about the slow eaters who made him miss all of recess because they were talking taking so long. Ridge is one of the kids that finishes his lunch as fast as possible and then gets to the playground as soon as it is open for play. Yesterday he got out of the lunch room and the bell rang for him to line up. I felt bad for him. Today he informed me that he told the kids who sat at the table that they had to eat fast. I hope he was nice about it. He had most of his recess today.

It reinforces to me the importance of recess and playtime for kids in school, time to run free and play. As it is, I think Ridge should have more recess. He doesn't have a morning recess anymore, his first break is at lunchtime. His best friend is in 2nd grade and they don't have recess together, the 1st graders, kindergartners and 4th graders are together. There is probably some study they are following about what ages to match together but it doesn't make sense to me.

5 comments:

K. Laura said...

Ridge,

I like recess too. And I waste some of my sandwich sometimes because I want to get to recess earlier but today I ate until third grade bell. I had a short recess. I do not have to wipe down tables. I wish I was in the same school as you, Ridge.

Luke

Torrie said...

chastin really wishes he had recess with ridge and vincent, he hates wiping the tables, but i figure that maybe it teaches him what it's like to clean up after others, and not to leave a huge mess- someone has to clean it up...
it still makes me sad though because kids need recess and i don't think the KIDS should have to clean- don't we pay taxes to pay school employees! what's the deal with that? maybe we should bring it up at the next pta meeting...

-chastin also says when the lunch room gets to loud EVERYONE has to put their heads down! that makes me mad! when do kids get to be kids?! quiet in class, quiet in the library, quiet at lunch- what ever!
and sometimes chastin says he plays by himself at recess or just walks around, and it makes me just so sad, he is nothing but nice to everyone and always wants to please everyone so it is really hard for me when kids are mean or just don't think of anyone elses feelings.
lets make a change!!!!!
sorry, i probably didn't make you feel any better, i just upset myself...

curly girl said...

I don't know of any "study" that matches the kids. In my vast experience :) it has more to do with the other schedules like computer, p.e., music, etc. And, sometimes you do get two grades that get along - or don't get along - exceptionally well. When M was in 1st, they had recess w/the 6th graders! I hated the idea, but it mostly turned out that the big kids took care of the little ones or ignored them entirely.

I totally agree that it's not fair that a kid should have to miss his recess just to wipe up after the slow kids. I can see having a kid do it for the first three minutes or whatever, and then having the slowpokes clean up after themselves.

I would definitely ask some questions and see what can change. You never know until you ask (nicely, at least at first)!

kelly said...

i love that he told everyone to hurry up the next day!
sounds like a good solution.
at least it's only for a week.

Anonymous said...

amen..everybody. I mean I agree.