We have a growing problem with class disruptions. Many children are bringing things to school that they do not need. Rather than doing their work and following directions, they are playing with these things and distracting the children around them.
I believe we need to establish some clear expectations and hold the children accountable for doing their "job" at school.
Children are not to bring...
~toys/figurines/trinkets
~stuffed animals
~make up/jewelry/clothing accessories
~purses/dress-up items
~stickers/stamps/cards
~rattles/shakers/clickers
~lasers/flashing-blinking items
~mechanical pencils
or any kind of personal item that becomes a distraction or disruption to themselves or others. From now on, I will take away anything causing a disruption to our learning environment.
Some students are not distracted by the accessories they wear. However, many constantly play with it, chew on it, take it on and off, shake it, bang it on their desk/chair, toss it around, etc. That's when it becomes a problem. The girls have been obsessed with lip gloss and chap stick. In addition to the distraction, it possess a health risk because they share and trade with each other.
You know your child best!
So this may be a matter of talking to your child and renewing or clarifying an existing expectation. For others, it may mean being on the "look out" for "hidden gems" by playing a bigger part in the "backpack routine." Still others may need to monitor the contents of their child's pockets and backpacks.
I need your help!
This will take a concerted effort. It is quite a challenge to maintain a positive, productive, learning environment for 5 hours and 15 minutes a day. These additional distractions rob our learning. Disruptions increase the time I spend managing behavior and reduce the amount of time available for instruction. I am hopeful that together we can get them back on track and restore the fantastic learning environment that we experienced earlier this school year.
Children are not to bring...
~toys/figurines/trinkets
~stuffed animals
~make up/jewelry/clothing accessories
~purses/dress-up items
~stickers/stamps/cards
~rattles/shakers/clickers
~lasers/flashing-blinking items
~mechanical pencils
or any kind of personal item that becomes a distraction or disruption to themselves or others. From now on, I will take away anything causing a disruption to our learning environment.
Some students are not distracted by the accessories they wear. However, many constantly play with it, chew on it, take it on and off, shake it, bang it on their desk/chair, toss it around, etc. That's when it becomes a problem. The girls have been obsessed with lip gloss and chap stick. In addition to the distraction, it possess a health risk because they share and trade with each other.
You know your child best!
So this may be a matter of talking to your child and renewing or clarifying an existing expectation. For others, it may mean being on the "look out" for "hidden gems" by playing a bigger part in the "backpack routine." Still others may need to monitor the contents of their child's pockets and backpacks.
I need your help!
This will take a concerted effort. It is quite a challenge to maintain a positive, productive, learning environment for 5 hours and 15 minutes a day. These additional distractions rob our learning. Disruptions increase the time I spend managing behavior and reduce the amount of time available for instruction. I am hopeful that together we can get them back on track and restore the fantastic learning environment that we experienced earlier this school year.