Article by: Ashleigh Kitchens
What’s wrong with Unorganized Play?
So, what’s the issue with unorganized play? Even if you “organize” it there’s no way to keep everyone under control. Dr.Ramirez has an issue with unorganized play, so what would be his version of organized play? That sounds a lot like P.E, but even then it’s not really that organized. Organized or not play is play.
Scientifically we need socialization, being social animals of course. Studies have shown that prolonged time without socialization impacts us negatively cognitively and psychologically. Yes, we still socialize but not in the way we want, as mentioned in the previous article. Parents, teachers, and any adult students meet says, “Balance work and play”. Usually in the context of them having played too much so they need to work, but in this instance it’s quite the opposite.
Everyone is blaming behavior on fun Friday, but has anyone entertained the thought that maybe it’s the class? Didn’t think so. If teachers want students to be enticed in learning, you have to make it fun. Notice when they play kahoot? People want to win because most students are competitive. Students brag about when they get first place, get on the board, or even beat their friend by just one place. I’m not saying kahoot is the ultimate answer, nor am I saying that learning is all about fun. I am saying, though, that you (talking to the teachers here) need to try to make it fun when you can.
Fun Friday is still a no-go. We want to have ‘fun Friday’ but we can’t call it ‘fun Friday’. What should we call it? Have any ideas?
Contact:
Mr.Sellew (sellewp@clarke.k12.ga.us)
Mrs.Eskridge (eskridgem@clarke.k12.ga.us)
Ashleigh (ashleighkitchen@clarke.k12.ga.us)
Leslie (lesliejamessand@clarke.k12.ga.us)
Julia (juliasabonaitis@clarke.k12.ga.us)
Article by: Ashleigh
How Things Could be Fixed
So, to put it simply, if students and teachers want fun Friday they all need to work towards it. If the main reason fun Friday isn’t every week anymore is that people are below academic levels everyone needs to contribute. Now (talking to students mainly) that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to do things in your head and figure things out on your own. Yes, teachers are giving you an education, but you have to take that education. It’s not a one way road, students. If teachers are trying to give you an education and you straight up refuse to listen or focus, that’s 100% on you.
If you truly cannot focus (and you are trying) go see a doctor and test for ADD (attention deficit disorder) or ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). These are real conditions that people have dealt with. People dealt with AD(H)D until they went to see a doctor and got medication and/or help.
If you’re just being defiant (and trust me, there’s a strong difference) that’s your fault. Not the teachers’. Not your parents. Not genetics. So, to all students and teacher's figure out what works. Students, if you need help, ask. Teachers, please remember that not all students are the same and they all learn differently, so have some patience.