Activity Proposal

Activity Proposal Savannah Jackson CH042 Topic: The role of play, specifically unstructured play time, in the urban school day. Potential Focuses: -Looking at historical accounts, and comparing the use or availability of unstructured play time in schools over several decades. -Focusing in on Chicago Public Schools, current as well as past mandates for unstructured play time (recess) -Positive as well as negative effects of unstructured play time -Best practices for utilizing play time in schools People to Interview: -Evan, Executive Director at Playworks Chicago, could give insight on structured play time versus unstructured playtime and his professional perspective of the importance for play in schools. -Kim Lombardi, Program Associate at Playworks Chicago, more insight on the importance of play as part of the school day, and perhaps the downsides of unstructured play. -Professor Beth-Halachmy, it sounds like she has done a good deal of research into unstructured play time. I haven't asked her permission for an interview, but if I catch her at the right time, I think she'd be happy to at least point me in the direction of some good resources. Relevancy: If I decide to look at a historical perspective, this research could provide some helpful insight on shifting views about the role of play in education, and where we currently stand in regard to play time at school. Perhaps I will unearth some areas of neglect or oversight in our current policies for play time in schools. Goals: I want to know more about play, so that I can use it appropriately in a classroom. I am learning and appreciating how powerful the element of "fun" is, and how making things into a game can be an effective teaching strategy. I wonder if play, like many things, has some "best practices," so that we can have a better chance of meeting learning objectives with students. I am also concerned about the controversy I hear from my friends at Playworks, that recess is a breeding ground for disputes and behavioral issues that spill over into the classroom. I want to know if play needs to be structured or if there are reasons for leaving it in the hands of the students.