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| ©Amy LV, 2011 |
Today many (all?) of the classrooms at my school are participating in a Global School Play Day. It's very simple, but most every simple thing turns out to be incredibly powerful. Here are the rules:
- No Screens: Students are encouraged to bring toys, but electronic toys or any devices with screens should be avoided.
- No Structure: Adults should not attempt to organize or structure student play in any way.
- Stay Out of the Way: Adults should let students manage their own play and should not interfere except in situations where someone could get hurt or fired.
Because we're doing this so early in the year, I will be explicit about this being a time when the class, who named themselves Ohahna (the Hawaiian word for family is ohana), can become even more of a family by making sure every member of our family is included and welcomed. We will learn so much about each other, about ourselves, and about our community. I can't wait!
Kathryn Apel has the Poetry Friday roundup this week. Looking ahead, please note that Cheriee and Carol V. have switched roundup weeks (September 27 and October 4). Our sidebar is updated, as is the schedule at KidLitosphere Central.
What a glorious way to spend the day. I babysat my almost 9 year old great nephew last week. We played boardgames, went for a walk, ate sushi and talked about sharks, octopi and giant squid. (we did use the internet to learn more about those last two things)
ReplyDeleteWhat a superfun day! I so wish I could be there and am honored that you shared my poem for this important celebration of being and playing. xxxx
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way for your class to get to know one another and become a family. Hope it went well.
ReplyDeleteWow! I love this idea so much. And, what an amazing class to choose this name for themselves. I predict a wonderful year of all kinds of listening!
ReplyDeleteHad to share the link. I've been concerned about this for years.
ReplyDeleteAmy's poem is just right for your day, which I hope has been what you wished for, Mary Lee, to learn about each other, to become "Ohahna"! I wish my granddaughters were in your school!
ReplyDeleteHaha. My kids grew up with this day, every day. No TV and no computer games. But lots of wide open space and bits and bobs to be made into all manner of marvellous creations. Not to mention books, to be read! Hope the day is filled with creativity, Mary Lee.
ReplyDeleteMary Lee, the idea of a Play Day makes me happy. I bet the kids had a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteThe powers that be forget that children need time to play...that they learn from playing. I'm saddened every time I return to my old school. It used to be such a happy place. Now the teachers are required to spend valuable class time prepping kids for tests.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of Global Play day. I hope your class/school enjoys it and can use it as a touchstone all year. I also love the my college girl and her friends love playing board games (the new ones out now are such fun, if quite commplicated. They negotiate the rules they want to play by and even let me join in. The last round was a card game, Killer Bunnies.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about Global School Play Day. Your poem is wonderful, Mary Lee. Yes to puzzles, board games, and cards.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great gift to your students in your school-allowing unstructured play time. Creativity must have been high, Mary Lee. Thanks for sharing Amy's poem. It looks like it would be a great reminder to enjoy play time that lets creativity open a new dimension of learning. Thanks for updating the Kidlithosphere Poetry Friday calendar.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for your students. My son-in-law is a board game enthusiast. All our holidays include them, and his game table is a hit at an annual family week on Star Island. Love Amy's poem.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I missed this last week, Mary Lee--what a cool thing! As always, Amy LV nails the essence. I LOVE that your class named themselves oHAHNa. That's some good lead learnering happening already! Happy Hucking and fishing too--miss you!
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