Cool vs Uncool
You are playing at recess and notice that a student is sitting at the top of the slide with a line of kids behind them. The kids waiting to use the slide look upset and the student sitting at the top of the slide looks happy.
Cool vs Uncool?
Uncool.
The student blocking the slide is preventing other kids from using the slide during their recess. It is unfair that this student isn't allowing anyone else to use recess equipment that is meant for everyone.
Another student at recess comes up to you and says, "I want a turn!" Without asking, they grab a mitt and ball from the Toss & Catch box and begin playing Toss & Catch with some other kids.
What should you do?
First, you can let them know that you are borrowing this game from a teacher and that they don't have permission to play it.
OR
You can go right to a recess supervisor and ask them for help retrieving the Toss & Catch tools.
You are playing Toss & Catch at recess with a friend when another kid comes over to you and says, "You stink at this game!" "Let me try!"
Cool vs Uncool?
Uncool.
Even if this person is joking, it isn't nice to insult others for trying their best.
In this case, you should ignore their insult and say something along the lines of: "No thanks." or "That's not nice and I don't want to play with you."
Mrs. Mash and you agreed that you would play Toss & Catch at recess with 1 friend. After playing for a bit, someone comes up to you and asks if they can have a turn.
What do you do?
In this case, it is your choice to either give them a turn or not give them a turn.
Since Toss & Catch is a game that you are borrowing from the LC, it is important that you remember to take it back at the end of recess.
If you choose to give the person a turn, it is important to ask for a turn after they have tossed or they may think that you are giving them a longer turn.
If you choose to deny them a turn, it is important to be nice when you say no. Something like, "Sorry, not right now." or "Maybe another time" would be a kind way of saying no.
You are out at recess and the ball that you are playing with goes over the fence. You run over to get a look at where it landed. You notice that it is just a few feet in front of the fence and that you could climb over the fence pretty easy. The friend that you are playing with says, "Don't climb the fence, you'll get in trouble. Let's just ask a teacher."
Cool or Uncool?
Cool!
Your friend saved you from potentially getting in trouble. Even if you know that you could get the ball yourself, it is against the rules to go outside the designated play areas.
Instead go ask a teacher and they can help you get the ball back.
A friend from your class has invited you to play soccer with them at recess with everyone else. You have been talking with Mrs. Mash about earning back group soccer during recess but you haven't yet earned it.
What should you say to your friend?
Sorry, but I can't play group soccer today.
Do you want to play a different game with me instead?
No thanks
(Nice job! You realized that you wouldn't be able to play group soccer in the future if you broke the rules today and played without having permission.)
A classmate of yours bumps into you on the way to recess on accident. Then they look back at you and say, "Sorry".
Cool or Uncool?
Cool.
They key to this answer is that they clearly bumped into you on accident. Accidents happen. Luckily, in this instance, nobody got hurt and the student even apologized.
You are playing a game appropriately with a friend at recess and a teacher shouts out your name and gestures to come over to them. You can't remember doing anything wrong but the teacher looks upset.
What should you do?
Even though you think the teacher is calling you over because you are in trouble. You know that you will be in even more trouble if you decide to run.
You should still go talk to the teacher and see what the problem is.
Upon approaching the teacher, you realize that what you initially thought was an angry scowl on their face was actually just them squinting at the sun. The teacher says, "I saw how great you two were taking turns and wanted to praise you! Great job!!"
You are looking through your Pokemon binder and a card slips out. The card is a super rare holo Arceus. You don't notice that it has fallen out and begin to pack up and leave for recess.
Somewhere in the classroom, you hear a commotion. Another student is showing off a pokemon card to their classmates. You walk over to get a look at the card and notice that it is the exact same holo Arceus from your binder. You ask the student where they got that card and they say, "I found it on the floor!" You go to check your binder, and your Arceus is missing.
When you explain to the student with the card that it is yours, they say "finders keepers!".
Cool or Uncool?
Uncool!
You know for a fact that card is yours and you feel extremely frustrated that someone else has taken it from you.
The only way to handle this situation now is getting a teacher involved to help figure out the problem.
You are passing a soccer ball back and forth with just one other friend. This is what you and Mrs. Mash agreed you would spend your time doing at recess today.
A group of 5 other kids come by and ask if they can join in on the game.
You are unsure if this is allowed or not, what should you do?
Ask a recess supervisor to clarify what the rules are about playing with more friends. If you are unsure about the rules, it is always good to ask so that you don't accidentally break one!