Eating in the classroom

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Second Grade Teachers Chatboard

Eating in the classroom

by Mrs. H

Aug 13, 2012

My carpet is three years old. I've had a water only policy (except for class parties) in my room because of this (the previous carpet was over 20 years old before it got replaced). This year every child will be eating breakfast in the classroom. I have desks. All children in the school will have a specified time when breakfast ends - if they don't have time to finish, too bad. Please let me know how you have managed food in your classroom.

How do I get their desktops clean in minimal time? I was thinking of having them design a construction paper placemat that I can laminate - but then again, where to keep it and how to clean them? Maybe that is more of a nuisance?

Do I have sponges ready for kids that have sticky syrupy desks? Then again, sponges spread germs/bacteria.

I have a sink in the corner that only has cold water. Do I have them wash their hands after they eat? Do I have wet wipes available? Hand sanitizer?

When our time is cut off, we a...See More

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Kimberly Well - I don't have a carpet so I can't help you with that. We always eat snack in the classroom and sometimes lunch when the cafeteria is needed for something else.

I wouldn't do placemats - I'd hate the idea of cleaning them and then giving them time to dry. I'd think they'd stick together no matter how you washed them especially if syru...See MoreWell - I don't have a carpet so I can't help you with that. We always eat snack in the classroom and sometimes lunch when the cafeteria is needed for something else.

I wouldn't do placemats - I'd hate the idea of cleaning them and then giving them time to dry. I'd think they'd stick together no matter how you washed them especially if syrup is involved. (Syrup sounds horrible - really not nutritious anyhow.) I think you'd still need to wash the desks because children are messy. Students in our building are required to bring in a container of wipes (baby wipes are fine) to donate to the classroom. We use those to wash desk surfaces and hands. I don't have a sink in my room. Across the hall is the janitor's sink, I do get a bucket to wash with when we have ice cream sundaes or a messy project that wipes won't do. I also invest in non-toxic spray that ONLY I SPRAY and use the school's cheap brown paper towels for desks that the wipes just won't do. I never use sponges, they get gross.

Manners - you sit with food and use classroom level voices. You sit in your own chair, at your own desk. I'd have them clean up as soon as they finish and plan on giving a 5 minute warning for clean-up. If they can't clean-up in 5 minutes then they must stop eating earlier.

Wash hands, yes. It wouldn't matter whether or not they used wipes or cold water. (The wipes probably take away more bacteria than cold water.) Hand sanitizer won't remove sticky and isn't allowed in our building anyhow.

On 8/13/12, Mrs. H wrote: > My carpet is three years old. I've had a water only policy > (except for class parties) in my room because of this (the > previous carpet was over 20 years old before it got > replaced). This year every child will be eating breakfast > in the classroom. I have desks. All children in the school > will have a specified time when breakfast ends - if they > don't have time to finish, too bad. Please let me know how > you have managed food in your classroom. > > How do I get their desktops clean in minimal time? I was > thinking of having them design a construction paper > placemat that I can laminate - but then again, where to > keep it and how to clean them? Maybe that is more of a > nuisance? > > Do I have sponges ready for kids that have sticky syrupy > desks? Then again, sponges spread germs/bacteria. > > I have a sink in the corner that only has cold water. Do I > have them wash their hands after they eat? Do I have wet > wipes available? Hand sanitizer? > > When our time is cut off, we are expected to be teaching. > > And more questions. What about table manners? What rules do > I need to lay down on day one? > > What about getting out of seats to clean up? Do I have kids > ask for permission, have them get up as soon as they are > done, or have a child in charge to bring a trash can > around? > > Should I get a mini carpet shampooer? Our carpets get > shampooed once during summer, and that is all. What about > some sort of vacuum sweeper? We have no budget for this > sort of item, so of course this will be my expense, but if > it's needed, I'll get them after my first couple of > paychecks (looking for something with value for the dollar > - not cheap and break in the first year, but not high end > either). > > My first minute of my first day with kids will be this new > breakfast thing. I'm a bit nervous about setting the tone > this way. What do I do with the parents that want to talk > to me? Tell them that they need to wait until after > breakfast? > > Any advice you can give me about any of this will be > helpful.

Aug 13, 2012

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deb My kids eat breakfast in the classroom...I have very little problems. We don't have a carpet, but I hardly ever had a spill. I teach my kids how to cleanup...they manage...we have a large garbage pail right outside the classroom, so they throw out their trash when they are done. I have taught them how to be independent, take care of their needs. I ...See More

Aug 14, 2012

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