Students asking for pass BEFORE class

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Classroom Discipline Chatboard

Students asking for pass BEFORE class

by Daniel Hanson

Oct 23, 2010

I feel silly for posting this thread, but I think it's something I need to improve on.)

I teach Spanish at a public high school. There seems to be one or two students who come in during the passing period to ask to use the restroom or to get something from their locker. Inside of me I don't want to let them go and that they shouldn't be coming to me to ask if they "can" go. They should be managing their time. Also, I don't like to let students go to the restroom, etc., during the first part or the last part of class. How do you handle these students?

Here's my second, and most important concern: I don't think I've very clear with my students when I answer their request to not be marked tardy for going to the bathroom or go to their locker. When they pop the question, I might tell them, "No, wait 10 or more minutes before asking me." Sometimes, I give in because I feel like it's really legitime. I know there are teachers that forget to let kids go to the bathroom becau...See MoreI feel silly for posting this thread, but I think it's something I need to improve on.)

I teach Spanish at a public high school. There seems to be one or two students who come in during the passing period to ask to use the restroom or to get something from their locker. Inside of me I don't want to let them go and that they shouldn't be coming to me to ask if they "can" go. They should be managing their time. Also, I don't like to let students go to the restroom, etc., during the first part or the last part of class. How do you handle these students?

Here's my second, and most important concern: I don't think I've very clear with my students when I answer their request to not be marked tardy for going to the bathroom or go to their locker. When they pop the question, I might tell them, "No, wait 10 or more minutes before asking me." Sometimes, I give in because I feel like it's really legitime. I know there are teachers that forget to let kids go to the bathroom because things get busy in class or because they are strict about not using class time for these types of things and so the student has been waiting to go to the restroom for a couple of periods. And other times, and I think this is where I'm particularly not clear or consistent, or what have you, I will reply back with, "What time is it now?", wait for the student to respond. Then ask them, "What time does class start?", or tell them how many minutes are left until the tardy bell rings. Then I ask them if they think they can take care of what they need to take care of in that amount of time. I teach mostly 9th grades with some 10th graders. Inside I personally don't like students coming up to me and making this type of request before the tardy bell because they are putting their responsibility for time management on me. I think high schoolers should take care of their time and not put pressure on the teacher. How can I be more clearer about how I feel with my students or do you think I'm getting my point across, I'm being fair as well as consistent with my students with what I am currently doing? Should I be approaching this in a different manner since maybe I am expecting a higher maturity and thinking level from this age group and they just aren't getting it?

Thanks for your advice and for your time!

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Phillip I have seen that when kids do that, they want to putz around and come to class late. That is why i do not allow kids to go to the bathroom within the first 30 minutes of class. Furthermore if you want to remedy this, all you need to do is make an announcement about your tardy policy. Mine is late=detention. So let the ones know that they can go to ...See More

Oct 24, 2010

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Elena Hi Daniel,

It's great meeting you on this board!

I have also had this problem continuously over the years. Like you, I mostly teach 9th graders. I don't let students use the restroom at the beginning of the period and tell them it inteferes with my taking attendance. They accept that. Two years ago, I found myself constantly inter...See MoreHi Daniel,

It's great meeting you on this board!

I have also had this problem continuously over the years. Like you, I mostly teach 9th graders. I don't let students use the restroom at the beginning of the period and tell them it inteferes with my taking attendance. They accept that. Two years ago, I found myself constantly interrupted during lessons by students needing the restroom. I'd have to stop what I was doing and write them a pass. Now I leave a generic pass in front of the room. Anyone needing the restroom can simply get up, take the pass, and go. This eliminated my interruptions. My students this year are very well-behaved and do not take advantage of this.

By the way, I'd be careful about letting students leave the room during a test. Last year one student took the pass and instead of going to the restroom, went to his locker where he was caught consulting his textbook for answers!

On 10/23/10, Daniel Hanson wrote: > (I feel silly for posting this thread, but I think it's > something I need to improve on.) > > I teach Spanish at a public high school. There seems to be > one or two students who come in during the passing period > to ask to use the restroom or to get something from their > locker. Inside of me I don't want to let them go and that > they shouldn't be coming to me to ask if they "can" go. > They should be managing their time. Also, I don't like to > let students go to the restroom, etc., during the first > part or the last part of class. How do you handle these > students? > > Here's my second, and most important concern: I don't think > I've very clear with my students when I answer their > request to not be marked tardy for going to the bathroom or > go to their locker. When they pop the question, I might > tell them, "No, wait 10 or more minutes before asking me." > Sometimes, I give in because I feel like it's really > legitime. I know there are teachers that forget to let kids > go to the bathroom because things get busy in class or > because they are strict about not using class time for > these types of things and so the student has been waiting > to go to the restroom for a couple of periods. And other > times, and I think this is where I'm particularly not clear > or consistent, or what have you, I will reply back > with, "What time is it now?", wait for the student to > respond. Then ask them, "What time does class start?", or > tell them how many minutes are left until the tardy bell > rings. Then I ask them if they think they can take care of > what they need to take care of in that amount of time. I > teach mostly 9th grades with some 10th graders. Inside I > personally don't like students coming up to me and making > this type of request before the tardy bell because they are > putting their responsibility for time management on me. I > think high schoolers should take care of their time and not > put pressure on the teacher. How can I be more clearer > about how I feel with my students or do you think I'm > getting my point across, I'm being fair as well as > consistent with my students with what I am currently doing? > Should I be approaching this in a different manner since > maybe I am expecting a higher maturity and thinking level > from this age group and they just aren't getting it? > > Thanks for your advice and for your time!

Oct 26, 2010

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