My fourth grade daughter's class has decided it's all Shaq's fault. They lost recess, but gained daily PE, because Shaquille O'Neal has pointed out that there are a lot of fat kids who don't get any exercise.

I have nothing against PE. I have nothing against Shaq. And in fact, I applaud the state Legislature for sending the message that health is just as important as the FCAT. But come on. Can't there be a happy medium? If anything should be legislated, it should be recess.

Erika's school was one of the good ones, one that actually didn't eliminate recess in its zeal to boost test scores. Granted, they've chipped away at the length of recess, but they still valued that wonderful tradition: Kids just playing. Freely. Outside.

Remember swinging on the monkey bars? Playing kickball and tetherball and four-square. Lots of things get resolved, and instigated, during recess. Relationships are tested. Hierarchies are established. What a proving ground for life! Sure, it's not always safe and easy. But it's memorable. In second grade Shelly Spencer stunned us by removing her fake tooth. In fifth grade Clay Coffey slipped on the ice and kicked me in the face. Clay died in a motorcycle accident after high school -- this kid I knew my whole life, but didn't necessarily like, or dislike. But I have a scar on my lip because of ... recess.

Why do adults, and specifically legislators, always muck everything up? Why couldn't principals place any value on free play? Why are the pressures so extreme that schools have to be forced BY LAW to send kids outside to run and jump and do all those things kids do so naturally? Kids who are cooped up inside all day working, working, working need to expend some energy, get refreshed, so they can get back to work. It's so obvious. And don't kids spend enough time in organized activities? We shuffle them from sport to lesson to play dates where overprotective moms mediate every argument and kiss every boo-boo. I just can't stand it anymore.

So now Erika's wonderfully academic teacher has to think about organizing soccer games during a time she otherwise would have been able to observe the kids interact during free play. Imagine what a teacher gains by observation. What kids gain by being able to get the teacher aside if they crave a little extra something.

Erika said, "Ms. D. doesn't know anything about soccer. But we do." My dream is that in some unintended way, kids will take back their time. Teachers will slyly subvert the system and turn daily PE into an exercise in kids taking control. Remember what happens when kids pick the teams and set the rules and referee? It's incredibly memorable ... and really really fun.

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