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A Moral Case for Play in K-12 Schools

The Urgency of Advancing Moral Ecologies of Play

Judd Kruger Levingston

In A Moral Case for Play: The Urgency of Advancing Moral Ecologies of Play in K-12 Schools, Levingston argues that schools must make room for character-building play because of its essential role in moral development. He utilizes field-based research, including interviews and observations from hallways, classrooms, playgrounds and lunchrooms at Catholic, Jewish, Progressive, Quaker, single-gender, and other non-sectarian schools. Levingston's timely new insights and explanations of the moral ecologies of play build on and intersect with the work of anthropologists, fellow educators and education-researchers, folklorists, medical researchers, psychologists, and STEAM educators. This book demonstrates that beyond physical and social play at recess, students need to engage in role-playing, along with language, number, kinesthetic, and imaginative play. Offering a new definition of play, Levingston's research shows how schools can create unique ecologies that promote moral growth, creativity, and a sense of community in any academic program.

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  • Author
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  • TOC
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  • Reviews
Lexington Books
Pages: 262 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½
978-1-66691-081-0 • Hardback • July 2023 • $105.00 • (£81.00)
Subjects: Education / Philosophy, Theory & Social Aspects, Education / Schools / Types / Religious, Education / Inclusive Education

Rabbi Judd Kruger Levingston is Director of Jewish Studies and Advisor to the Derech Eretz Honor Council at Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1: Play, Moral Education and Character Education

Chapter 2: Recess Is Over, But Don’t Stop Playing! Research Methodology, Research Sites, and Three Moral Ecologies of Play

Chapter 3: How Can I Catch the Kids’ Attention? Conceding, Cautious, and Complementary Uses of Play in Class

Chapter 4: What Brings the Curriculum to Life and What Makes it Relevant?

Chapter 5: Character-Building and Character-Driven Play

Chapter 6: Co-Curricular Play: Religious spaces, electives, physical education, advisory and disciplinary systems

Chapter 7: Recess and Shared Moral Spaces; Dress and Gender

Chapter 8: From Playing to Belonging: The Essential Role of Schools in Setting the Stage

Appendix: Questions for Discussion

Bibliography

About the Author

Using interviews, field research, and observations at various secular and religious schools, Levingston advocates for integrating play into students’ development and learning, specifically in the areas of moral and character development. Play provides students with opportunities to grow their character and develop moral values through active social interactions, conflict resolution, and problem-solving. It also promotes their brain development and psychological well-being. Levingston argues that schools should not confine play to recess but should integrate it into different subjects throughout the day. He offers practical suggestions and just-in-time guidance for schools to cultivate a strong moral ecology of play. The book gives a promising perspective on the urgency of offering students play opportunities that shape their moral and character development in addition to their academic learning. Advanced undergraduates and practitioners


— Choice Reviews


A Moral Case For Play is expansive and penetrating in revealing play’s links to “expressive morality” and student agency and identity. Children can flourish and deal with hardship when teachers use different play strategies to capture their imaginations. Our schools must be play-responsive as much as academic and intellectual and multicultural and inclusive. The author is a pioneer leading us with earnest strokes and joyful voice to consider play’s values and uses in moral and character development for which he is master and champion.


— James Ewald Johnson, The Pennsylvania State University


In a time when God and play are marginalized in the school setting, Rabbi Levingston makes a compelling case for the reestablishment of both in A Moral Case for Play in K-12 Schools: The Urgency of Advancing Moral Ecologies of Play.


— Michael M. Patte, Bloomsburg University


A Moral Case for Play in K-12 Schools

The Urgency of Advancing Moral Ecologies of Play

Cover Image
Hardback
Summary
Summary
  • In A Moral Case for Play: The Urgency of Advancing Moral Ecologies of Play in K-12 Schools, Levingston argues that schools must make room for character-building play because of its essential role in moral development. He utilizes field-based research, including interviews and observations from hallways, classrooms, playgrounds and lunchrooms at Catholic, Jewish, Progressive, Quaker, single-gender, and other non-sectarian schools. Levingston's timely new insights and explanations of the moral ecologies of play build on and intersect with the work of anthropologists, fellow educators and education-researchers, folklorists, medical researchers, psychologists, and STEAM educators. This book demonstrates that beyond physical and social play at recess, students need to engage in role-playing, along with language, number, kinesthetic, and imaginative play. Offering a new definition of play, Levingston's research shows how schools can create unique ecologies that promote moral growth, creativity, and a sense of community in any academic program.

Details
Details
  • Lexington Books
    Pages: 262 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½
    978-1-66691-081-0 • Hardback • July 2023 • $105.00 • (£81.00)
    Subjects: Education / Philosophy, Theory & Social Aspects, Education / Schools / Types / Religious, Education / Inclusive Education
Author
Author
  • Rabbi Judd Kruger Levingston is Director of Jewish Studies and Advisor to the Derech Eretz Honor Council at Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
  • Contents

    Acknowledgments

    Introduction

    Chapter 1: Play, Moral Education and Character Education

    Chapter 2: Recess Is Over, But Don’t Stop Playing! Research Methodology, Research Sites, and Three Moral Ecologies of Play

    Chapter 3: How Can I Catch the Kids’ Attention? Conceding, Cautious, and Complementary Uses of Play in Class

    Chapter 4: What Brings the Curriculum to Life and What Makes it Relevant?

    Chapter 5: Character-Building and Character-Driven Play

    Chapter 6: Co-Curricular Play: Religious spaces, electives, physical education, advisory and disciplinary systems

    Chapter 7: Recess and Shared Moral Spaces; Dress and Gender

    Chapter 8: From Playing to Belonging: The Essential Role of Schools in Setting the Stage

    Appendix: Questions for Discussion

    Bibliography

    About the Author

Reviews
Reviews
  • Using interviews, field research, and observations at various secular and religious schools, Levingston advocates for integrating play into students’ development and learning, specifically in the areas of moral and character development. Play provides students with opportunities to grow their character and develop moral values through active social interactions, conflict resolution, and problem-solving. It also promotes their brain development and psychological well-being. Levingston argues that schools should not confine play to recess but should integrate it into different subjects throughout the day. He offers practical suggestions and just-in-time guidance for schools to cultivate a strong moral ecology of play. The book gives a promising perspective on the urgency of offering students play opportunities that shape their moral and character development in addition to their academic learning. Advanced undergraduates and practitioners


    — Choice Reviews


    A Moral Case For Play is expansive and penetrating in revealing play’s links to “expressive morality” and student agency and identity. Children can flourish and deal with hardship when teachers use different play strategies to capture their imaginations. Our schools must be play-responsive as much as academic and intellectual and multicultural and inclusive. The author is a pioneer leading us with earnest strokes and joyful voice to consider play’s values and uses in moral and character development for which he is master and champion.


    — James Ewald Johnson, The Pennsylvania State University


    In a time when God and play are marginalized in the school setting, Rabbi Levingston makes a compelling case for the reestablishment of both in A Moral Case for Play in K-12 Schools: The Urgency of Advancing Moral Ecologies of Play.


    — Michael M. Patte, Bloomsburg University


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