Purposeful Play at Ixonia Elementary School
Ixonia Elementary School staff and students had a very important topic to share at the OASD School Board meeting on March 19, 2019 – the importance of play in a child's education. In addition to teaching students strong academic skills, Ixonia Elementary staff have discovered that finding time for students to engage in purposeful play opportunities helps to develop a sense of belonging and important learner behaviors that have an impact on how they interact with the world. Ten Ixonia Elementary students in grades 3 – 4, supported by five staff members, highlighted the value play has had in developing various attributes such as: collaboration, problem solving, communication, imagination, integrity, responsibility, organization, empathy, confidence, and leadership.
Recess at Ixonia Elementary is Far From Typical
Through a partnership grant by the Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation, Ixonia Elementary has partnered with the YMCA to provide a recess program that provides structured games that engage all kinds of students. A recess committee observed play and talked to kids in order to design a playground that offered a variety of choices for students. Choices include daily-organized recess games, scooter races, musical creation options, reading, sledding, chalk drawing, gardening, competitive sports, and imaginative play.
Recess also involves Junior Coaches, who are 4th grade students trained to invite younger students to play, lead games, and help resolve problems that may arise. Junior Coach Caleigh W. shared that, "Junior Coaches want all students to feel accepted and included in all types of play at Ixonia. We do this by showing kindness and encouraging kids to participate in activities on the playground." She concluded by sharing a meaningful experience she had as a Junior Coach. "A time I felt very strongly about being a Junior Coach was when a 5K student asked me why I was out at recess. I said that I was a Junior Coach and was out here to encourage fun and safe play. The 5K student then responded that he wanted to be a Junior Coach one day." Other Junior Coaches explained how this leadership opportunity helped them gain confidence and learn the importance of acting as a role model to younger students.
Students take the lead in developing new clubs
The focus on purposeful play also encouraged students at Ixonia begin requesting new club opportunities during recess. Ixonia School Counselor, Jodie Jens, shared that 19 students took advantage of the opportunity to write and present a plan for a new club. These new clubs are all student led and require a high level of planning work, organization, and leadership skills to execute. Ixonia fourth grader, Aria Scaff explained, "We had to be organized and teach them [younger students] the expectations we had for them. We stayed inside for recess to make the lesson plans. If we weren't organized, it wouldn't have turned out as well."
Practicing Lifelong Skills through Play in the Classroom
Ixonia Elementary third grade teacher, Ashley Demark, explained the philosophy of classroom play at Ixonia. "We are all very passionate about play. We don't see play as something that stops in Kindergarten or K4; when we are engaged in play we are definitely practicing lifelong skills. Not just skills that we can transfer over to our academics." Mrs. Demark's students shared their vet-play station and described how they work together, communicate, solve problems, and use their imagination while they're playing.
Ixonia Elementary Principal, Stacy Yearling, concluded the presentation by saying, "We are so proud of how these kids have evolved, not only in their play but in how they see themselves as a result of these play opportunities. Of course they have academic strengths that we want to be fostering, but these are important skills that will carry them through life and let them take on tough challenges and rise to all occasions."
Ixonia Elementary School Board Showcase Presenters
Front Row (L to R): Justin Baird, Nolan Nowakowski, Julian Loppnow, Aria Scaff, Jenna Quandt, Caleigh Wright, Mackenzie Gallert, Avah Jones, Lydia Schweng, Ronan Tiegs
Back Row (L to R): Chelsea Rennicke, Ixonia Teacher; Ashley Demark, Ixonia Teacher; Mathew Gust, Youth Development Coordinator for the YMCA; Jodie Jens, Ixonia School Counselor; Stacy Yearling, Ixonia Elementary Principal; Leah Laufenberg, Ixonia Teacher
