Because cell phones are an ongoing problem, at the end of the last school year the teachers at the middle school got together to come up with a school-wide policy.
When I started this long-term assignment, I was filled in on the policy, and I've been enforcing it since the beginning.
Basically, the students must leave their cell phones in their backpacks. (In the science class, the rule has been that the students leave their backpacks in the back of the room during class.) If I see the phone, I can take it. Depending upon how many infractions the student has, they can get it back at the end of class, or they must retrieve it from the main office.
(I hear the 8th graders have really hated this policy, but the 7th graders don't know it was ever different.)
I have not had to confiscate many phones. I remind the kiddos to keep them in their backpacks, and most have complied.
Thursday. Sixth period.
It was test day. We did a review Kahoot! I decided to award the winners prizes. Second place winner came up to get her prize... with her cell phone in her hand. Deep sigh.
It was her first offense, so she got the phone back at the end of the period. On the one hand I felt bad. She got punished for getting a prize. But then again, her phone wasn't where it was supposed to be.
A bit later, another student was called to the main office. The rest of the class was taking the test. When the student returned, I went over to her to let her know what she needed to do with the test. That's when I spied her cell phone sitting on her chair...
So, I got to confiscate another cell phone from another girl who hadn't given me any issues. Another deep sigh.
I guess I have to remind them daily to put their cell phones away in their backpacks. (I do actually announce it as the students arrive in class daily.) At least they're not using them in class, but it's a matter of time.
Because, they're not "forgetting" to put them away. They're sneaking them. They want the phones on them "for emergencies". And I understand. But I also know they don't have the maturity to leave them alone, so they really need to keep them away during class.
While the class was taking their test, I walked the room. I heard music. It was a phone ringing. From a backpack.
I left that one alone. The phone was where it needed to be. And the ringing stopped after just a bit.
We use Kahoot at work sometimes as a meeting ice breaker. I find it fun. I'm just curious about the student who had their phone near them when they were taking a test, and if there is a policy for that other than taking the phone away.
ReplyDeleteThey weren't using the phones to cheat. I don't think. If I had caught her looking at her phone during a test, I would probably have escalated that by bringing in a counselor or administrator.
DeleteIt is a good policy, they just need to get used to it.
ReplyDeleteThey do.
DeleteI had to go to the office to call my mom when I was sick in school. It worked!
ReplyDeleteWe still have that capability. But they're used to the convenience of their own phones.
DeleteWhen my older daughter was in high school — her best friend got a new phone (one of the early smartphones). My daughter asked to see the phone. The assistant principal walked by while my daughter was playing with her friend’s new phone. I had to retrieve the phone from the AP’s office, my daughter asked me to do it because she didn’t want her friend to get into trouble for something she did.
ReplyDelete(That friend is now a pediatrician, so that tells you how long ago this happened … )
Yup, you'd think by now we'd have the phone thing figured out. Nope.
DeleteJamie: We play the Kahoot game at work sometimes, usually a form of trivia.
ReplyDeleteKahoot! is great.
DeleteJust reading the title made me go "Oh, this is going to be an ordeal." Separating middle schoolers from their phones. (shudder) High school must be worse, though.
ReplyDeleteOh, those "emergencies" that pop up all day long. I overheard a mother tell her kids (probably middle school) that there was no way she'd allow the school to say her little preciouses couldn't have their cell phones on a field trip. How did we all get by without our "emergency" phones?
ReplyDeleteAnd that right there is the issue with phones in school. Those parents. We used to have great rules about phones. Then the parents raised a stink...
DeleteI've been following the phone policy with interest, and support the idea of keeping schools cell phone free during school hours. The kids already get a ton of screen time when not at school, so I think the policy is healthy for them. Unfortunately, it puts extra burden on you teachers to enforce it.
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad that so many schools are going cell phone free during school hours.
ReplyDeleteYeah. It's necessary.
DeleteI think the local district is starting with a no phones during class policy of some kind.
ReplyDeleteI hope they do. It'll make things easier for the teachers, and the kiddos can be more engaged in their lessons.
Deletethecontemplativecat here. It was an idea that was promoted back in early cell days. Very briefly, because not every teacher did it. and not many students had the phones. (elementary school) anyway,
ReplyDeleteAnd those that did do it got pushback. Sadly. But it's become such a widespread problem nowadays that maybe it'll take this time. Maybe?
DeleteGetting to keep the phone away is such a challenge. Only way is to make it absolutely strict. It should one of those rules they should get used to.
ReplyDeleteIt’s Birgit…it’s about time this happens. I think it takes place here as well, but I can’t remember and I’m not a teacher. I find it funny that they are not bright enough to hide the phone…they forget, I guess.
ReplyDeleteThey forget. Or, that's the claim. Even after I remind them daily to put their cell phones in their backpacks.
DeleteWonder if it would be construed as some sort of violation if the phones were to be collected in a basket of some sort and placed at the front of the class.
ReplyDeleteSome teachers have a pocket thing that the kiddos are to put their phones in at the beginning of the period. I did not institute that as this class has a place where the kiddos can stash their backpacks for the period.
DeleteHaving phones at school isn't very good...
ReplyDeleteIt's distracting. If they could handle that, it'd be okay. They can't.
DeleteCell phones are a menace in the hands of youngsters. My school doesn't permit students to bring them to the classroom; they have to deposit them in the office and collect them after school.
ReplyDeleteThat would be ideal. Alas, the campus supports around 2400 students. I don't think the office could handle 2400 devices daily.
DeleteYou should not feel bad for enforcing a policy. ~nods~ Be well!
ReplyDeleteI feel bad that the good kids got caught. Although, I suppose it'll make them more cautious next time.
Delete