Friendly Playground Reforms at Ellis Elemantary

When the students in Ms. Kennedy’s fifth grade class at Ellis Elementary walked around the school to identify issues, they realized that there were quite a few problems out on the playground. Students weren’t always respecting the playground equipment, or each other. They decided to investigate the issue a little more through interviews, surveys and observations. The students learned that there was only one rule for playground behavior – Act appropriately.

Knowing that this was a difficult rule to follow since many of the students had different ideas about what appropriate behavior was, the students decided that the best thing to do was to create more specific rules about what kids should and should not be doing when outside. They came up with four categories – Blacktop, Swings, Field and Play Structures – and they listed rules for each. Once the rules were approved by the principal, they visited all of the classrooms to explain them to students. Of course, they also needed to post reminders, so they had signs made for inside and out and worked with the custodian to find a spot to hang them.

Even though they won’t be around every day to see how their work helps the issues on the playground, many of them decided they would stop by the school and talk to the principal to ask if behavior has improved. Some also have younger brothers and sisters in the school and decided they could talk to them about what things are like, also. They are very proud of what they are leaving behind as they go on to Middle School.