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What is your favorite memory from elementary school? Mine was all the fun my friends and I had at recess. When did my feelings for recess change? When I became a teacher! Regrouping post-recess can be tricky. Today I’m here to share with you some easy and effective classroom transition strategies for regrouping after recess!
*For more tips on how to create a positive AND playful learning environment in your classroom, be sure to join us in P.L.A.Y. (Playful Learning All Year)!
I don’t know about you, but coming in from recess can sometimes feel like herding cats. Regrouping post-recess isn’t for the faint of heart. But, I have found some transition strategies that have really helped this part of our day run more smoothly.
Below, I will share some tips on how to make post-recess a little easier to manage!
Coming in from recess can lead to many “interesting” situations – bark being dumped out of a student’s shoes, kids wandering around even though you told them to hang up their coats and head to the carpet, and just the overall feeling of chaos.
To help with the post-recess craziness (and my biggest tip for regrouping), play some MUSIC!
Now you may think that adding music would make it even crazier, so hear me out. You will still have your routine of water, coats away, etc. But, you will also be playing a song at this time.
There will always be students that move faster than other students. Playing music gives them something to do while they wait. When they get to the carpet, they can sing along while everyone settles in.
After everyone is settled and the song ends, this is when Circle Time begins.
Another part of this effective transition strategy is to keep post-recess the same each day.
As teachers, we KNOW how important routines are! If you play the same song every day and stick to this routine, kids will learn the song and know how much time they have left to get to the rug before it’s too late.
These simple classroom management tips will help you get away from needing to over-remind, direct, or manage ALL the things.
By having this solid routine, you can transition to Circle Time more efficiently and herd those kittens a little easier!
(even if you “aren’t allowed to play”)
If you’re wanting to incorporate playful learning, free-flowing centers, effective routines, and more in your Pre-K or Kindergarten classroom, then you’ll definitely want to join us in P.L.A.Y. (Playful Learning All Year)!
This course is a deep dive into practical ways that you can create a playful learning environment in your classroom. Be sure to request an invitation so you’re the first to hear when the virtual doors open!
