Ortonville- On Halloween, students at H.T. Burt Elementary had an early treat and learned some new tricks.
Students spent approximately two hours learning, then playing, new games outside. The games included flag football, soccer, hoop guard, and wiffleball, and were inspired by the book ‘Six Steps to a Trouble-Free Playground,? by Curt Hinson.
‘The idea is to be inclusive,? said H.T. Burt Principal Kristy Spann.
‘We’re teaching age-appropriate games to young children not proficient at problem-solving.?
The games, with equipment funded by grants, will be used during recess, with students broken into smaller groups. Before, students played in larger groups, which tended to cause problems, even ‘brawls,? said Spann. The new games, often two-on-one or one-on-one games, will be a new option at recess, in which children will be encouraged to be more friend-like than foe-like.
‘We see this as key to building relationships and responsibility at recess,? Spann said.
Students can still utilize the playground equipment. The mileage club, in which students are encouraged to walk or run for exercise, will also continue.