By

Candice Alvarez,   Copper View Elementary School

Play:

Topics:

Physical Activity Participation,  Student Leadership

At Copper View, we have had structured recess for three years, but this year we decided to have students be in charge of the zones during recess. We had the Pima County Health Department come out and train our student leaders in how to run the zones and deal with any conflict that may occur. The student leaders are now in charge to teach the new recess games, which change monthly. The go into the classrooms and share how to play the games and what is required during active recess. They are also in charge of setting up the equipment for lunch recess and are in a zone during recess to help students and engage them in the games!

How did students and adults work together as a team?

The students worked with the aides and monitors at our school to reach out to all of the students about how active recess works. The adults learned to allow the student leaders to deal with most conflicts that occurred.

What improvements have you seen at your school?

The engagement level of students at recess has gone up. The student leaders are working hard to get all students active at recess.

How do you plan to make this Play last during the school year and beyond?

The students will continue to learn the new games, and at the end of the year they will help us to train the new student leaders for the upcoming year.