
In 3rd grade (1972), we had a long term substitute teacher, Miss Adams, who was still in teacher school but was assigned to our class. She was a young women's libber (forced me to win a spelling bee by spelling "Ms.", no joke. I won even though the abbreviation was new then.) But worse than that she wanted to assign an activity during the short afternoon recess. ?! I refused on principle. Recess is recess and Gym is Gym. Oddly, I got away with it, watching the activity from the hill near the blacktop. So she was a women's libber AND a planner.
Gad. They understood even back then, the power of indoctrination. So, what was she doing? Making kids do calisthenics or soccer during “recess”?
I am with you. Recess is for taking a break, having fun, talking, playing games, whatever you like.
Free time to them is the Devil’s work to them. Just a different Devil from theirs!