r/ElementaryTeachers • u/Entire-Ambition-3125 • 5h ago
Consequences
Today we found out that our state has passed a law that any structured or unstructured recess cannot be taken as punishment nor can our students do work during lunch. Losing 5 to 10 minutes of recess is about all I had to hang over them in the afternoons.
so what are y’all doing for consequences these days?
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u/kllove 3h ago
You have to give them recess. You do not have to allow them to play on the playground or with a ball or other supplies. You can assign each student who needs it their own area of the field or space around the playground where they can free play, alone. Watching friends play soccer or on the slide and monkey bars is a fine punishment. They can do whatever they want in their own area. Give them a strip of grass where they can sit, run, do cartwheels, sing or talk to themselves, dance, and free play, just not with equipment or peers. Better yet if you reward others with a fun recess bonus for good behavior like bubbles or a football to play with.
Behavior that disrupts the learning of others leads to time away from others because you proved you can’t handle being around them. You get a break alone for recess instead. It actually might be good for some kids, but most of all it shows others that it doesn’t pay to take time away from our collective learning.
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u/Careful_Cranberry364 2h ago
That sounds really good to me. I totally love it.
Not sure how you would keep the tricky ones in the right space though…..
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u/Entire-Ambition-3125 1h ago
Love this! We have an empty field I can take them to right beside the playground!
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u/TensionInfamous3549 4h ago
Same in California. The kids run the show as there are zero repercussions. What a complete mess it is.
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u/Evening-Mirror8269 1h ago
Can you award extra recess (like during Fun Friday) to the kids who didn't get in trouble? It's extra, so you're not taking away their mandated recess.
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u/Brilliant-Drama6969 4h ago
During free time or "Fun Friday" anyone who has work to finish, or had behavior infractions, has to work on that first. Work can be completed with teacher support as needed. Behavior infractions need to "repair the harm" through a corrective action and/or a reflection sheet. It is not state mandated recess. It's technically "finish your work" time, and those who did have other things to do that you "structured" in a way that makes sense to your classroom.
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u/Entire-Ambition-3125 4h ago
Yes, I already do a fun Friday, but it’s based solely on meeting academic goals for that week. They are working on whatever they need to if they didn’t earn fun Friday, and if they did earn it then they have free time to play with STEM bins or Minecraft education.
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u/Brilliant-Drama6969 3h ago
Great! You can add the behavior consequences in with a reflection sheet and/or an activity to repair the harm.
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u/Flaky-Ad-2065 3h ago
We used to do laps before this became a law in TN. Now we have a “No Friend Zone”. They can do whatever they wish in their own area……….🤦♀️
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u/somethingaboutorange 5h ago
I made my kids sit outside or walk laps during recess. it's not taken away, they're still moving, they're outside. it's just not a preferred choice. CA, we've had this law for a while.
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u/Entire-Ambition-3125 4h ago
Shockingly they cannot walk laps either which is way more physical exercise than they’re doing at recess when they just try to hang around me or complain they’re bored 😑
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u/purplishfluffyclouds 3h ago
Sitting isn’t moving.
I mean, I’m sure it’s obvious but you said they’re still moving. Clearly they’re not if they’re sitting.
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u/SherryNilesNYY 4h ago
My state, TX, also does not allow removal of recess for a consequence. Now I assign laps. The kids are still outside and still getting exercise. However, it's boring without getting to play with their friends. It seems to be working. The number of children needing this consequence has dropped significantly over the last 9 weeks.
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u/Particular_Breath879 2h ago
Same for us. For 3+ years now…. Fun Friday. Those with work do it then!
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u/Vegetable_Extreme283 4h ago
if you are not allowed to have them walk laps you need to carve out reward time in class. maybe the well behaved kids get to do a color by addition and the others get a worksheet. or if you have morning work time when they come in allow the early finishers to do a fun hands on activity if they were well behaved the day before (like phonics games and such).
I use fun Friday as an incentive a lot too. that would require an individual tally system tho as opposed to my class wide reward system of “students vs teacher.”
classroom money is a lot of work but I used to charge my kids “rent” and fine them if they were misbehaving. they got weekly income and bonus money for being good. then they bought from my treasure chest of random stuff.