We have been dealing with this kind of thing all year and it is so upsetting to my daughter and to myself as her parent. Taking away recess should be the absolute last resort reserved for horrible infractions, IMO. Kids need to play and burn off energy. My DD has come home crying several times each month over losing recess primarily because the entire class got punished for talking too much. I spoke to the classroom teacher about it, and she refused to believe me that DD could possibly be so upset over something so insignificant as recess. I feel your pain.