Recess Reset Facilitator Guide Recess Reset
Teacher Facilitation & Restorative Conference Guide
Grade 4 • Accountability Tool
Focus: Restoring Play & Trust
Restorative Purpose: Accountability is not punishment. It is learning to recognize harm, take ownership of one's impact, make genuine amends, and build actionable habits for safe, inclusive playground play.
4-Stage Restorative Conference Protocol
1 Regulate
Ensure physical calm and lower adrenaline before debriefing. Check breathing and readiness.
2 Reflect
Guide student through the facts: what happened, their choices, and who experienced harm.
3 Repair
Student devises authentic amends (direct apology, game assistance, equipment care, space respect).
4 Re-enter
Establish clear guardrails, commit to the trust contract, and schedule a 2-minute post-recess check.
Facilitation Script & Questioning Matrix
Phase Facilitator Prompt (Ask This) Listen For / Coach Toward
1. Understanding "What were you hoping would happen, and what actually occurred?" Separating intent from actual impact without blame.
2. Empathy "How did your words or actions affect the other player and the game?" Identifying feelings (embarrassment, fear, exclusion).
3. Accountability "Which playground rule did this break, and what was your responsibility?" Saying "I chose to..." instead of "They made me..."
4. Actionable Repair "What specific action will show others that you respect our recess space?" A concrete deed, not just a quick "sorry."
Coaching 4th-Grade Responses
"It wasn't just me!" Respond: "We will speak to others individually. Right now, I care about your choices."
"It was an accident!" Respond: "Even when harm isn't planned, we still help clean up the mess it creates."
"They were cheating!" Respond: "A rule break by someone else does not give us permission to treat them poorly."
Re-Entry Readiness Criteria
Completed Reflection & Repair Project sheet thoroughly.
Acknowledged impact without blaming or downplaying.
Delivered or scheduled sincere amends with affected peer(s).
Identified 2 specific replacement behaviors for tomorrow's recess.
Recess Reset Accountability Mini-Unit • Grade 4 Pair with Student Project Booklet & Playground Dilemma Cards
Recess Reset Presentation Slides Grade 4 • Community Reset
Playground Culture
RECESS RESET
Restoring respect, repairing harm, and rebuilding trust on the playground.
Focus: Reflection, Accountability & Fair Play Every student deserves a safe recess
The Playground Standard
Our Community Agreement
Fair & Safe Play
Follow established game rules. Winning is fun, but fairness matters much more.
Open Inclusion
No gatekeeping. Everyone gets a turn, and nobody is pushed away or mocked.
Cool-Headed Words
When calls are close, use rock-paper-scissors or replay the point without shouting.
Remember: Recess is only fun when everyone feels safe to play.
The Ripple Effect of Disrespect
Impact Over Intent
1
Impact on Individual Peers
Name-calling, aggressive pushing, or exclusion makes classmates feel unsafe, embarrassed, and isolated.
2
Impact on the Game & Environment
Arguments stop games completely. Equipment gets kicked away or damaged, ruining playtime for everyone.
3
Impact on Personal Trust
When you lose control repeatedly, classmates hesitate to play with you tomorrow.
"Even if you didn't mean to hurt someone, you are still responsible for the impact."
4 Steps to Make It Right
The Restorative Path
1
Own It Fully
Say what you did without making excuses, blaming other players, or minimizing the action.
2
Acknowledge Harm
Listen to how your actions felt to the other person and validate their experience.
3
Deliver Meaningful Amends
Provide a sincere apology and an action that gives back to the game or community.
4
Demonstrate Better Habits
Follow your Recess Trust Agreement every day to prove that your words match your actions.
Accountability is courage in action: fixing mistakes instead of hiding them.
Recess Dilemma: The Disputed Line Call
Discussion Challenge
During four-square, a ball hits directly on the line. Marcus shouts "You're out!" Sam yells "No way, it was on the line!" Marcus kicks the ball across the blacktop into the mud, ending the game for all 8 players in line.
1. Who Was Harmed?
Identify all players affected by the kick.
2. Better Choice?
What protocol solves line disputes instantly?
3. Restorative Repair?
What 2 actions must Marcus take to fix this?
Turn and talk with your partner for 2 minutes. Ready to complete your personal Recess Project?
Recess Reset Student Project Recess Accountability Project
Part 1: Incident Reflection & Impact Analysis
Personal Growth
Student Name:
Date & Recess Time:
Playground Area:
1 What Happened? (State the Facts)
Describe what you did without making excuses or blaming others.
2 Triggers & Emotions Check
What was happening inside right before this choice? (Check all that apply)
Felt game was unfair
Lost my temper / mad
Wanted to look tough
Tired or hungry
Felt left out earlier
Caught up in crowd
My warning sign before I lost control was:
3 The Ripple Effect: Who Was Affected?
The Other Player(s)
How did they feel? What did they lose?
The Entire Game / Class
How did this disrupt playtime?
Myself & My Reputation
How did this impact my trust?
Accountability Statement
I take ownership: Instead of making excuses, I acknowledge that my choice was not respectful of our community.
Recess Reset Accountability Project • Page 1 of 2 Turn over to complete Part 2: Repair & Trust Plan
Recess Accountability Project
Part 2: Restorative Repair & Trust Rebuilding Plan
Action Plan
4 Drafting My Sincere Apology & Repair
A real apology explains what you will do differently.
1. I'm sorry for: Name the exact action.
2. It was wrong because: Acknowledge the harm.
3. Next time I will: State replacement choice.
4. To make amends: Offer concrete repair.
5 Actionable Amends: How I Will Give Back
Choose at least one deed you will complete to restore our playground community:
Equipment Care Collect & organize recess gear for 2 days.
Inclusion Ally Invite a peer who was left out to join a game.
Fair Referee Help run fair rules and respect line calls.
My specific plan to complete this deed:
My Recess Trust Agreement
Commitment to Safe Play
✓
I will use calm words and agree to a replay or quick rock-paper-scissors when a call is close.
✓
If I begin to feel frustrated, I will take 5 deep breaths or step away to the calm bench.
Playground Dilemmas Activity Cards Playground Dilemmas
Restorative Decision-Making & Roleplay Cards
Follow-Up Activity
Instructions: Cut out cards or choose in pairs. Read the scenario, identify the harm, and roleplay the restorative repair.
Grade 4 • Practice Cards
1. The Four-Square Slam Rules & Fairness
During four-square, Jayden slams a high ball that hits Maya's shoulder. Jayden laughs and says, "You flinched, you're out!" Maya leaves the court in tears.
1. Harm: How did Jayden's laughter make Maya feel?
2. Repair: What should Jayden do immediately?
2. The "Game Is Full" Lie Inclusion
A new student asks to join the kickball game. Liam says, "Sorry, teams are closed," but two minutes later lets his best friend join the outfield.
1. Harm: What was the impact of dishonesty and exclusion?
2. Repair: How can Liam restore trust and welcome the peer?
3. The "Barely Touched" Tag Integrity
In freeze tag, Ella tags Carlos on the arm. Carlos yells, "You missed me, you only brushed my sleeve!" and sprints away, refusing to freeze.
1. Harm: Why does cheating ruin the game for all runners?
2. Repair: How can Carlos own the tag gracefully?
4. The 20-Minute Swing Hog Sharing
Three students are waiting for a swing. Aiden has been on since recess started. When told his turn is up, Aiden ignores them and swings higher.
1. Harm: What message does Aiden send to waiting peers?
2. Repair: What fair system could Aiden propose next time?
5. The Soccer Slide Tackle Physical Safety
School rules prohibit slide tackles. Desperate to stop a goal, Tyler slides into Jordan, scraping Jordan's knee. Tyler shouts, "I got ball first!"
1. Harm: Why is safety more important than stopping a score?
2. Repair: What are Tyler's 3 accountability steps?
6. The Sore Winner Gloat Sportsmanship
After making the game-winning basketball shot, Noah dances in front of the defenders shouting, "You're too easy! Don't even try playing us!"
1. Harm: How does gloating destroy the playground culture?
2. Repair: How should a true sports leader celebrate victory?
Partner Debrief Prompt: "Which of these 6 dilemmas happens most often on our playground? What agreement could our class make today to stop it?"
