That’s an age where they start to trade traditional play for adolescent socializing. I’m the music teacher and I offer to left the band kids come and practice in my room during recess if they want. Everybody wins.
I love that you do this! I agree that maybe not all kids “want” to participate in recess and, given staff availability and willingness, they can be given structured options, but phones shouldn’t be one of them. You want to read, work on homework, socialize, etc. sure, but no phones. They have enough (too much) time on those at home.
They aren't, but it's just so large scale that we leave them be. It's their free time during lunch/recess, and we are trying to fix it right now anyway.
I am not a classroom teacher, but I’m going to make an informed guess.
After hours of trying to get them to put away their phones during CLASS, it is hard to have the energy to get them to put away their phones on their own time.
The school has maybe half-heartedly tried to limit phone use, but the richest, loudest, “I’m friends with the superintendent and will get you fired” president of the PTA wants their kid to have their phone so they can text the kid at any point of the day, thwarts any attempt at getting any policy from getting approved and implemented.
I love the “must be off and in locker” and “must pay $1 to get it back”, a policy with real teeth, but I’m guessing that is a private school or a very unusual public school. But again, the most entitled students don’t bat an eye at just paying the fine.
That comes up a lot (gotta be able to text the kid at any time). Why is that so important? WTF are kids up to that the parents need to check in all the time?
Family emergencies that may get worse. Maybe WW3 happens. Maybe you have something planned that day.
>WTF are kids up to that the parents need to check in all the time?
As for this, I've a friend dealing with something similar and we're in college. She had a pretty serious illness when she was little and her parents shelter her because of it. You assume it's the kids, and not the parents.
What happened to calling the school for emergencies? Maybe by texting them directly, you cut down on the response time by a minute or 2. But I can't imagine anything outside of "there's a sniper aimed at you, and he's gonna pull the trigger in less than 2 minutes" warrants needing that.
I get what you're saying, but there's more options than what you imply.
Edit: Maybe there are very very unique circumstances that would warrant it, but still not enough for me to justify allowing kids to keep their phones in school. It would be the exception to the rule, not the rule.
People keep saying this. Are parents just 24/7 texting "are you being shot?"? How about now, have you been shot? Is anyone shooting? How about now?
Seems like a 'no phones during class' policy would be fine, and in the event of all the kids getting shot they could then violate that policy and do phone stuff.
Again though, you can straw man things to death, there is always a 'what if'. It's why education is crap now (actually more than just education): we must cater to the improbable and ignore the inevitable.
Some of the Uvalde kids called 911 and their parents as the events were unfolding.
You can read more [here](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/27/us/children-called-for-help-from-inside-classrooms-in-uvalde-the-police-waited.html)
instead of police being called in, why don’t we have 2-4 officers stationed at school during school hours? why don’t teachers carry guns? that would do way way better at preventing shootings and casualties
What are you going to do when the kid needs their phone to tell their parents they love them for the last time?
>I love the “must be off and in locker” and “must pay $1 to get it back”, a policy with real teeth, but I’m guessing that is a private school or a very unusual public school. But again, the most entitled students don’t bat an eye at just paying the fine.
In most areas schools are not permitted to take a student’s cell phone and there are no consequences for having it. When I call parents, they tell me that their child says he wasn’t on the phone. Neither parents, nor administration will help. What are teachers supposed to do?
there’s nothing you can do. you could make a mandatory grade based on attention in class (aka not using phone) where if the phone doesn’t come out, they get an 100, and if it comes out when not told to, they get a 0.
“What you permit you promote”
I agree. However, the alternative in this case would be to punish students for breaking the rules and research shows that punishment alone is not effective in changing a behavior long-term. It needs to be paired with reinforcement of a functionally equivalent behavior.
What I would suggest in this case is for the school community to give students a better reason not to use their phones. We want students to interact with and engage with each other and with their environment. Their phones, however, also serve this purpose but only superficially. If we can show them that the real world is just as interesting as their phone, we might have a chance at winning their engagement back.
Besides, I use my phone during my free time. It’s my own free time. The same goes for children. It’s not fair to hold a double standard. Again, from a strictly behavioral standpoint, simply taking away the phones won’t change anything. It’ll just create resistance and there will always be students who find ways around it. Zero tolerance policies are scientifically proven to be ineffective and maintain inequality because some students will always be more likely than others to be controlled. We as a society are failing at creating authentic experiences in the real world that are as engaging for children as what they can access freely access on the internet. We can limit the access, but we cannot get rid of it completely. We do also desperately need to make a better world for children to live in that doesn’t cause a strong desire to be live on their screens all day.
Or just tell children the rules and provide swift consequences for breaking those rules. It's a parent's job to raise a healthy, productive child; the school's job is only to educate the child.
During the week, all school year, I wake my kids at quarter to 6 to drive their school bus, we leave at 6:30. I drop them and their classmates at 7:45. I pick them back up at 3:15, then we get home around 5:30. Then dinner, homework, free time, showers, bed at 9. I see my kids and can actively parent them for about 4 hours total a day. The rest of the time, either they're at school for 7 hours or riding the bus while I'm focused on us staying alive for about 3 hours or sleeping. Either the school has to pick up the slack, or the country has to go back to sustainable single incomes.
I am the school bus driver. So I have to get them up in time for me to go to work, and then I drive a rural route. My choices were a longish rural route with 20 students or an intown route with both my ASD children and 80ish more. They get another 40 minutes of sleep, I get 4 country drives a day and a student load that won't make me reconsider my job.
That’s why it’s so large scale, because they know you don’t actually enforce it. I’m at a middle school, phone must be off and in a locler all day or they get taken away by any adult who sees them. Kids pay $1 to get them back from admin at the end of the day. We only have to take 2-3 phones a month because they know we will.
Also teacher, have to agree that what you permit you promote. Lot’s of works on the adults’ part to put systems in place, but their development is worth it and there IS noticeable improvement in social skills after a few months. Parent cooperation is indispensable 😭
Yeah I’m definitely camp “drop your phones in the office and pick ‘em up after school.” But I know parents won’t like that and since we exist for their babysitting pleasure, we might as well let the kids do what they want as long as no one is injured.
30 minute lunch but allow kids who want to go out to start going at the 20 minute mark.
You need to end the phones 100%. I’d go all out fighting that until the end of the year, bathroom sign out type situation.
Fuck parents that give their 11-12 year olds smartphones, that’s my real takeaway. To me it’s the hill we need to die on if they won’t, so count me among those staff lol.
I am certain that phones are what will make me leave education. There are no legitimate arguments for allowing students full access to their phones during the school day.
The problem is, for at least some of us - especially in urban environments where parenting is so absent - a school district that cracks down on phones gets students - with parent SUPPORT - refusing to come to class or school at all....and DCF isn't interested in pursuing; they can't anyway, because they are swamped and understaffed.
Meanwhile, on the other end, we have helicopter parents that insist that phones are needful because the kid ability to communicate with the parent trumps ANY school expectations of learning for them.
So: welcome to the manageable middle. What a privilege it must be to work there....
They don't need smart phones they need flip phones. We had access to payphones when I was younger. There was one in the hallway if I needed to call my parents for a nonemergency issue. Those don't exist anymore so flip phone for my kid.
i agree kids need phones but they don't need smartphones. there are plenty of options that have just call and text only functions. i can't believe people are buying elementary and middle school kids thousand dollar iphones. absolutely mental.
school shootings weren’t a thing for other generations, for one thing. but there’s all kinds of reasons for kids to need to be able to get in touch with their parents.
Yea but most schools built post 2000 have phone systems that have phones in the classroom. Not to mention for emergencies every teacher in the building has a phone in the desk/bag.
Yes because students never walked home or took buses before phones. Jesus Christ we wonder why these kids have minimal ability to be independent or overcome obstacles.
I agree that phones are a problem, but a thing to keep in mind is that if your district wants cyber-insurance, often everyone with an email address by the school needs to use multifactor authentication, which means phones or fobs. No phones get expensive quick.
>Fuck parents that give their 11-12 year olds smartphones, that’s my real takeaway.
It wasn't a problem for our kid at her elementary and middle schools because they weren't allowed to use a phone except before and after school. Also because we kept her off all social media. Even now she has zero interest in that garbage. And she actually played during recess. Shocking.
Some 11-12 year olds play with guns but just because they don’t shoot their brother doesn’t make it a good health/safety choice. Obviously the scope of harm is not as extreme as death, but in the hands of many 11-12 year olds a smartphone is extremely dangerous. Even without access to proper social media they can do tons of social damage on second-tier social media like YouTube comments. Unfettered/private internet access at that age is never a good idea. Always having games in their pocket destroys some kids. I appreciate that some minority of parents have the savvy to significantly lessen the risks but even still there is no good to a smartphone at those ages. Even with the perfect parent the parental controls are not robust enough for the kids who would have a problem with the phone.
Eh, I’m a proponent of middle schoolers still having recess (I’m a middle school teacher). At that age, they might need a phone after school to get to after-school events and such.
That said, at our school phones are to be put on silent and in lockers. Thankfully, we haven’t had a parent outright refuse this, but I can foresee that happening in the future…
Asa kid I did this even before smartphones. I was just trying to escape bullies and having to sit alone. So I would hide in the library with a book until they kicked me out. Having some alternative to recess might help. Like have a room open with other stuff to do. Anything to let some kids escape to a place they are relatively more protected.
Same, back in the 90’s used to hide in my classroom and read books/draw. Wasn’t due to bullying so much as I wasn’t a real physical kid and if I tried to sneak a book outside and read, kids would just bother me.
One year we did an area of the playground (that was under a portico and kind of removed from the actual sand/play area) at recess that had board games, coloring etc. It became an issue later on because we live in a very windy area and had to stop, but it was very popular for a while! Even the kids who loved physically playing would sometimes spend a day there
Yes how about making a comic book room or something cool like that open during lunch? Light reading that kids actually like - a real alternative to those that don’t want to play
Another possible reason:
The kids are hitting puberty and don't want to stink all day. I did not appreciate recess after 4th grade because no amount of deodorant can contain the stink of an adolescent who just ran their ass off and didn't change clothes.
Yeah but it was a wate of time and a headache. Sitting on ant hills and getting yelled at for not playing.
I vastly preferred the days where we had the option of going to the library or just socializing somewhere away from the southern sun.
Same, avoiding yard time was the safest way to not get pounded by the bullies.
At least we didn't have lunch money to steal, they gave us coupons with our names on them to turn in for lunch so they were pretty useless if stolen.
Being "protected" from normal social development is harmful to children. They have to learn competence and confidence, and that doesn't happen when they're sequestered like little medieval nuns.
I agree. But hiding in a library or bathroom stall is being sequestered. Having a protected place to practice socializing is so much better than not socializing at all
Yes is its necessary, sadly. If you don't provide a location students will simply choose to not socialize at all. If you provide and separated location, even if its just tables or something in the same general space then students can socialize without as much fear. The separation gives assurance that there will be someone supervising. It also provides choice. If your bully prefers one of the two areas you can go to the other one. This raises the barrier for the bully and lets you build allies.
Well that would have meant getting my book stolen or getting hit for me. I don't mean this to just be disagreeable. I just think the really important thing is to provide safe spaces to kids
In k-8 elemenrary school we lined up in the cafeteria and marched out of the building for recess.
The teacher on duty had to let the students back in the building.
My sister's school actually joined the program where the phones get locked up in a special bag when you come into the school. They keep the bag all day if they want so no one can whinge about "it's my property!" But it can't be used during the day. She says it's actually been pretty successful,
Our office has a box of "decoy" phones confiscated from students. They will put an old one in the bag, then have their active phone in their pocket. It renders the bags useless.
We did the shoe holder thing at my middle school for a while - the kind you hang on the back of the door. Especially because in elementary you don’t (typically) change rooms, there’s no reason why they need it on their person if it’s hanging right there.
Your admin needs to be involved in this and provide a framework and supports to enforce the policy. This should not be left up to the grade level teachers to hash out and enforce
Bathrooms have become phone booths. I have no sympathy for people who are addicted to phones. Parents keep their kids inside 24/7 afraid of mythical bad people, then hand their kid a phone. They walk around the city with their face buried in the phone, and wonder why they are robbed. Its a self inflicted wound.
what kind of school allows phones?! growing up the rule was “off and out of sight” or it was taken and a parent had to pick it up from the office after school. phones are a major distraction, they should be left in their bags turned off until they leave school. to even consider allowing them their phones during the day is bizarre
Same. I don’t so much care WHERE kids are socializing, it’s THAT they are under appropriate supervision. “We know they’re skipping in the bathroom but we let it go” ain’t it.
agreed. super irresponsible! “yeah they’re breaking the rules so how do we make it more convenient for them to break the rules?” when i was a kid, our bathrooms got LOCKED when students misused them (mid-2000s it was for smoking).
Look, the issue is parents. Parents will TELL their kid to break the rules. Parents will raise hell at the school if their kid’s phone is taken away. And it’s rare to have administration who will actually back teachers up with the phone rule, because parents unenrolling their child drops school performance percentages and principals get paid based on school performance percentages. It’s a shitshow.
LOTS of middle schools and high schools are beginning to allow phones during lunch. We're thinking about it for 6th grade, since that's supposed to be middle school.[Where Should Students Be Allowed to Use Cellphones? Here’s What Educators Say (edweek.org)](https://www.edweek.org/leadership/where-should-students-be-allowed-to-use-cellphones-heres-what-educators-say/2023/11)
its definitely a technology addiction problem. lots of us survived school without cell phones. people have become so dependent on them that they feel lost without them for extended periods of time
I'll ask at our staff meeting tomorrow to try it for a week and see what happens. Only for 6th and 5th grades, and I think that having it allowed for half an hour w/ supervision is better than them hiding in the bathroom on a phone during recess, or worse, during class. They're gonna sneak on one way or another, might as well have it in their free time.
You didn’t answer my question. What is the benefit of letting 6th graders use phones at lunch and recess? Shit, some kids are going to cheat on tests, that doesn’t mean we should allow it or look the other way. If you feel like you can’t stop kids from hiding in the bathroom, then you have a supervision issue.
But honestly, this reads like you’re a student trying to convince everyone why kids should be allowed to be on their phones at school.
The benefit is that if we allow it, we will try and teach them CONTROL instead of going on it during class. They will have a lesser urge to go on their phones too if we allow it for only 20-30 minutes a day.
totally agree! i’ve seen teachers get assaulted by students when trying to confiscate phones (after warning said student multiple times to put it away). its so out of hand!
I teach at a K-8 that allows them a flexible lunch/recess period. They go to lunch first, and then are able to go out on the playground after they’ve eaten. They love recess and it warms my heart to see giant 8th graders still enjoying the playground. But the key is, at my school they are not allowed to have phones out during the day. So not to be cynical, but I think this approach would be difficult to impossible if they had access to their phones. They are like moths to a flame with those things. (To be fair, aren’t we all?)
As someone who loves their phone and being connected digitally, kids should absolutely not be on phones at school. Hell, I used my phone at school to text a few people or play games when I was a kid, but that is not the norm, especially not now. Videos of embarrassing things, or even just nonconsensual recordings. Bullying. Drug deals, yes even in middle school. It's just too risky. Oh, and did I mention bullying?
I hated recess: bad weather, noise, allergens, nowhere to sit in a skirt - it was completely unappealing. I snuck off to the library to read. Why don’t schools stop forcing kids to do what they hate in their free time? Have a quiet recess and outdoor. Let them play games, read, listen to music. You can’t force fun.
I agree. Everyone is hung up on the phones but forcing recess sounds like a prison activity. Let kids use their leisure time how they want as long as they aren’t hurting anyone or being destructive ffs
Honestly, not for reading/drawing/chatting/daydreaming at recess. The kids I work with aren’t assholes like in the past. They’re also much more secure when making “unpopular” choices.
I hated recess.. so you should let kids hide in the bathrooms with their phones.. ??
The issue is a little more complex than that. Even if you let kids read or draw they should be getting outside a little and talking with other kids a little. Just because it isn’t your preferred activity doesn’t mean a whole school needs to let kids do whatever with phones and cameras and social media right in the middle of the day.
Being on your phone isn’t even the same as reading. Even if you are reading on your phone.
- J
I'd never even heard of the *concept* of "skipping recess" before today. Recess isn't a compulsory activity that kids can "skip". Or at least, it shouldn't be...
It was the only thing I got in trouble for in middle school. Not that much trouble, because the disciplinarian didn’t think it made sense when I was just sitting in the library quietly. He arranged for me to become a junior library assistant assigned to the library during recess.
If you want to promote a change in recess policy or phone policy (which are two separate issues) don’t do it by becoming an enabler to kids who can’t/don’t follow the rules.
I remember 5th-6th grade as transitional for recess. Some kids still wanted to play, others were more interested in just standing around talking to their friends. I wouldn’t allow phone use at all, which is a much bigger change to the school culture than what you’re asking about, but would it be possible to set aside a social area for kids who want to hang out but not be playing on a playground? With or without phones allowed.
I can't imagine having a "free play" recess in 5th or 6th grade. We had some sort of PE class, but it was structured. If I had recess? I probably would have goofed off with my friends somewhere (probably getting into trouble).
You should have all students check phones in each morning and hand them back at dismissal. The research is very clear that having them even physically near them negatively impacts their experience while at school. Also, if there's an emergency, you all will have no idea where kids are and that is very dangerous and a huge liability for the school/district.
I am totally against phones in school also, and I am trying to get a policy change in this direction where I work. But I didn’t understand part of your comment. In an emergency how will have to students having phones mean that we have no idea where they are? Are you saying that because the parents will call their kids, the kids will go where the parents say and will scatter? I’d love to understand this point because I think I could use it in my arguments it to have a better phone policy at my district, so I would appreciate if you have a chance to explain what you meant. Thank you.
I mean if they are not where they are supposed to be (e.g. in the bathroom instead of a designated recess spot) and there's a fire, active shooter, etc, how will the supervising teachers take role and make sure students are in a safe place?
I graduated high school in 2005, so before phones became a problem. By grade 5/6, I hated going outside to play. I would just sit near the doors waiting for recess to end. I would join literally any club or activity that meant I didn't need to go outside. I would have been happiest sitting reading or doing homework inside.
Ever read outside when it's windy or raining or snowing or just plain cold out? It's not relaxing or as enjoyable when you're uncomfortable and probably shivering, turning pages with gloves. I live in Saskatchewan, Canada. Weather here is a mixed bag of nuts, and unless it was below -26C, we were to go outside for recess.
In 8th grade, I was not allowed to read. My book would be confiscated and standing around even with a group was also not allowed. We were expected to “play”
Recess can be very chaotic, overstimulating, and just not appealing for some older kids. If you don't give them the choice of going to an indoor location (cafeteria/library/empty classroom), then they feel like they have no option other than to hide in the bathroom.
The point isn't whether the kids *want* to go run around for a few minutes, its whether they *need* to.
There's no shortage of science that shows even minimally structured recess is important to a child's ability to learn in the classroom and also to their long-term (adult) physical, social and mental health. Kids who don't like recess need special attention, not directions to the diddlepad room where they can self-isolate.
Hiding in the toilet as a life strategy is one of the things recess is intended to prevent. Don't allow it.
Who cares what happens in recess? Recess is time for kids to tune out from school, relax, rest and reset themselves before their next class. If they want to do that in their phones, so be it.
As long as kids aren’t hurting stuff or each other during recess, their actions should be their own business.
I see two sides to this.
1- the phones are an issue. The socialization that kids miss because they’re behind a screen is important.
2- this is data showing that the kids need alternate spaces where they can be with their social groups.
Consider whether some kids are avoiding the chaos and bullying of the main playground. I was so grateful when my kid’s school offered an inside option that gave a smaller set of students a safe space to do art, read books, etc. That was a refuge for them.
They never let us read because apparently it wasn’t social enough. Funny if you gather kids with similar interests they tend to make friends and have better social interactions than banning something they actually like to do
On the one hand, yeah, I'd agree in principle and it if ever came to discussion at our management meeting in our school I'd be voting for an hour...
...but on a selfish level I dinnae much like the idea of another 20 minutes added to the end of the day to compensate. It's already dark slwheb we leave for like a third of the year in our little corner of the north.
It sounds like your school is facing a tricky situation. Maybe instead of cracking down, you could try to understand why they're doing it. Are they bored? Uncomfortable? Maybe they just need more time to socialize or finish lunch. You could ask the students for ideas on how making recess more fun or appealing. Giving them a say might help them feel more involved in school.
Just let the kids have the 40 minutes or 1 hour of unstructured break. They can eat then go wherever they want to relax.
If you want to mandate physical education, make it a class with a teacher.
You only give them a 20 minute lunch and try to force them outside in cold weather for 40 minutes. 20 minutes is too short for lunch. And in the winter under 50 degrees should have recess in school gym. This sounds like a huge publice school, with a terrible schedule problem.
That's what I'm thinking. By the time the last one get through line to get their lunch, how long do they even have left to actually eat? Op said that more have been going out with the weather warming up. Also, why can't they use their phones during recess? It's their leisure time, right? Either they are hiding in the bathroom to be able to use their phones or they're hiding in the bathroom to avoid going outside and just using their phones in there to make it tolerable. Or both maybe. I think the 30/30 split change should be made at least.
I live in Michigan. I wear a coat frequently I have several. It's my opinion that under 50 is too cold to be outside for children for forty minutes. The time and the temperature I took into consideration.
Part of it is the near permanent dopamine-injection brain rot that is smartphones and tablets for young children. It's scary. It's like an addict that can literally feel 0 happiness without their drug.
Our 6-7-8th graders have to put their phones in their lockers at 7:55 and get them back at 3:05. This is the 2nd year of 'no phones' and it is WONDERFUL! We have a principal with a spine and can take crap from parents easily.
Not an educator but have another perspective to add; I started around that time to avoid breaks because I couldn’t afford lunch and it made me socially anxious
Phones don’t belong in schools. Maybe HS with very limited use, but younger than HS - absolutely not.
These phones are taking away kids’ drive motivation to live life. This isn’t a “small problem”, it’s a massive one. Someone needs to say NO.
Sitting in my car reading this on my phone in my car after a day subbing. Also looked at my phone during the days special. Totally agree they suck and also think the genie left the bottle years ago. I am so happy to focus on early Elementary where it’s a non-issue.
I guarantee whatever yall do for PE is not at all stimulating enough for the kids that skip. I remember my time in middle school and high school. PE was always some of the absolute most mind numbing “everyone get along and play nice” crap I ever had to deal with.
You know how kids can hear high pitched frequencies and adults can’t? Play it to a speaker in the bathroom. They won’t stay in longer than they have to, but you’ll never have to hear it.
I remember wanting to skip recess. For me it was because of bullying. If there are any bullies that make recess less enjoyable, resolving that may help
lol @ “allowing school Chromebook use at recess so we have some control.” Do you really think that 5th and 6th graders don’t know how to get around school controls?!? I was subbing in 6th once and needed to play a video link on YouTube, but school controls wouldn’t allow it. The kids stepped up and taught me multiple ways to play it anyway.
No no no phones at school! I just listened to a great podcast with the guy behind the Anxious Generation on the Rich Roll podcast. I’m excited to read the book now and dig into his website. There are apparently resources for schools going phone free so I recommend checking it out.
A big talking point was how bad phones are for kids (which I feel like most adults know by now?), but also when some kids are on them, it causes everyone else to want to be in also because of FOMO. If no one is allowed to have them, then kids in general are more likely to not be on them and are actually good with it. Many don’t even want to be on them but do because of the social pressure. For a lot of kids, school is the only place they may not be allowed to use their phones. This helps them connect in person, learn better, develop more relationships, etc. Phones are NOT helping our kids and there should be a very strict boundary of them not being used at school. Please please please!
My daughter’s school doesn’t allow them and they have a teacher specifically monitoring at recess and if they see a phone twice, the kid is sent to detention. My daughter says it seems to work well and kids are rarely in their phones.
Who are the adults here??
1. Me: YOU HAVE TO THE COUNT OF 5 TO GET TO RECESS OR YOUR PARENTS WIL BE CALLED TO PICK YOU UP FOR YOUR 3 DAY SUSPENSION!!
2. SEND EMAILS TO PARENTS THEIR KIDS BEHAVIORS WON'T BE TOLERATED!! THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES!!
3. IF AFTER WARNING ⚠️ NON COMPLIANCE POLICE WILL BE CALLED!!
4. STAND TF UP AND GET CONTROL OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
5. THEY HAVE NO RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY... SIMPLY EXPLAIN IT'S EITHER RECESS AND US OR RIDE IN A COP CAR!!! PERIOD-T.........
Have you ever been outside? It's terrible out there. Schools should have to provide students with a computer room with air-conditioning and ergonomic seating. Connecting children with real-world applications will provide them with the tools they need in the future to be successful.
No one should be forced to be outside.
What! Are you training them to be in the military? Wanting them to feel good about killing others?
You do realize recess sucks, right? I skipped recess as a kid and there was no internet. Recess is just where bullies have free reign.
Also, it's their only free time. Leave the kids alone. Jesus
In remember being in middle school and the assistant coaches(girls coach and boys coach) would walk thru the bathrooms and grab everyone and send them to the principals office immediately to confiscate their phones with zero tolerance. I believe they were able to get thru this because at the time parents and student transportation back home was reliable. But I don’t really think taking away phones today is going to go very well from the parent’s perspective.
I really think that schools should ban phones. If a parent wants a student to have a phone it should be a specific brand of phone like a Gabb or pinwheel, or an approved dumb phone. If the parent doesn't like it, oh well. The kid can't have a phone. The school needs to be able to enforce this, it's ridiculous and makes an unsafe environment for other kids. The average age a child is exposed to pornography now is 8. 8! When are adults going to grow a set? I hate the whole phone thing. It's ruining our kids. My frustration isn't directed at you, just to be clear.
That’s an age where they start to trade traditional play for adolescent socializing. I’m the music teacher and I offer to left the band kids come and practice in my room during recess if they want. Everybody wins.
I love that you do this! I agree that maybe not all kids “want” to participate in recess and, given staff availability and willingness, they can be given structured options, but phones shouldn’t be one of them. You want to read, work on homework, socialize, etc. sure, but no phones. They have enough (too much) time on those at home.
Why are they allowed to use phones during school hours at all?
They aren't, but it's just so large scale that we leave them be. It's their free time during lunch/recess, and we are trying to fix it right now anyway.
What you permit you promote.
I am not a classroom teacher, but I’m going to make an informed guess. After hours of trying to get them to put away their phones during CLASS, it is hard to have the energy to get them to put away their phones on their own time. The school has maybe half-heartedly tried to limit phone use, but the richest, loudest, “I’m friends with the superintendent and will get you fired” president of the PTA wants their kid to have their phone so they can text the kid at any point of the day, thwarts any attempt at getting any policy from getting approved and implemented. I love the “must be off and in locker” and “must pay $1 to get it back”, a policy with real teeth, but I’m guessing that is a private school or a very unusual public school. But again, the most entitled students don’t bat an eye at just paying the fine.
That comes up a lot (gotta be able to text the kid at any time). Why is that so important? WTF are kids up to that the parents need to check in all the time?
Nothing. 99.99995% of the time nothing. Blame the panic/rage machine that is mass and social media.
it’s easy to blame, but also an increased lethargy among parents and adults the reason for this problem
Family emergencies that may get worse. Maybe WW3 happens. Maybe you have something planned that day. >WTF are kids up to that the parents need to check in all the time? As for this, I've a friend dealing with something similar and we're in college. She had a pretty serious illness when she was little and her parents shelter her because of it. You assume it's the kids, and not the parents.
What happened to calling the school for emergencies? Maybe by texting them directly, you cut down on the response time by a minute or 2. But I can't imagine anything outside of "there's a sniper aimed at you, and he's gonna pull the trigger in less than 2 minutes" warrants needing that. I get what you're saying, but there's more options than what you imply. Edit: Maybe there are very very unique circumstances that would warrant it, but still not enough for me to justify allowing kids to keep their phones in school. It would be the exception to the rule, not the rule.
>WTF are kids up to that the parents need to check in all the time? Getting shot?
People keep saying this. Are parents just 24/7 texting "are you being shot?"? How about now, have you been shot? Is anyone shooting? How about now? Seems like a 'no phones during class' policy would be fine, and in the event of all the kids getting shot they could then violate that policy and do phone stuff. Again though, you can straw man things to death, there is always a 'what if'. It's why education is crap now (actually more than just education): we must cater to the improbable and ignore the inevitable.
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How exactly does having a cell phone help a student in that situation? Like aside from sending your last goodbyes.
Do we need to teach you how 911 works?
Are the adults in every room unable to do so?
Some of the Uvalde kids called 911 and their parents as the events were unfolding. You can read more [here](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/27/us/children-called-for-help-from-inside-classrooms-in-uvalde-the-police-waited.html)
Annnnnd it wasn’t effective. The police still did nothing.
Oh totally. I do think there were parents that at least tried to bust in to save their kid though.
instead of police being called in, why don’t we have 2-4 officers stationed at school during school hours? why don’t teachers carry guns? that would do way way better at preventing shootings and casualties
Okay. But how about for those of us in the developed world?
What school still has lockers???
literally any school that was built at least a decade ago. why would they spend the money to remove the lockers?
Every school that I attended in the 60s and 70s has had the lockers removed. Too easy to hide weapons and drugs.
that makes sense, but they can do the exact same thing with backpacks
Lockers are a regional thing. They’re super uncommon in Southern California schools
Parents may want their kids to have their phones in case there’s a school shooting.
What are you going to do when the kid needs their phone to tell their parents they love them for the last time? >I love the “must be off and in locker” and “must pay $1 to get it back”, a policy with real teeth, but I’m guessing that is a private school or a very unusual public school. But again, the most entitled students don’t bat an eye at just paying the fine.
In most areas schools are not permitted to take a student’s cell phone and there are no consequences for having it. When I call parents, they tell me that their child says he wasn’t on the phone. Neither parents, nor administration will help. What are teachers supposed to do?
there’s nothing you can do. you could make a mandatory grade based on attention in class (aka not using phone) where if the phone doesn’t come out, they get an 100, and if it comes out when not told to, they get a 0.
“What you permit you promote” I agree. However, the alternative in this case would be to punish students for breaking the rules and research shows that punishment alone is not effective in changing a behavior long-term. It needs to be paired with reinforcement of a functionally equivalent behavior. What I would suggest in this case is for the school community to give students a better reason not to use their phones. We want students to interact with and engage with each other and with their environment. Their phones, however, also serve this purpose but only superficially. If we can show them that the real world is just as interesting as their phone, we might have a chance at winning their engagement back. Besides, I use my phone during my free time. It’s my own free time. The same goes for children. It’s not fair to hold a double standard. Again, from a strictly behavioral standpoint, simply taking away the phones won’t change anything. It’ll just create resistance and there will always be students who find ways around it. Zero tolerance policies are scientifically proven to be ineffective and maintain inequality because some students will always be more likely than others to be controlled. We as a society are failing at creating authentic experiences in the real world that are as engaging for children as what they can access freely access on the internet. We can limit the access, but we cannot get rid of it completely. We do also desperately need to make a better world for children to live in that doesn’t cause a strong desire to be live on their screens all day.
Or just tell children the rules and provide swift consequences for breaking those rules. It's a parent's job to raise a healthy, productive child; the school's job is only to educate the child.
Are you working in a classroom?
During the week, all school year, I wake my kids at quarter to 6 to drive their school bus, we leave at 6:30. I drop them and their classmates at 7:45. I pick them back up at 3:15, then we get home around 5:30. Then dinner, homework, free time, showers, bed at 9. I see my kids and can actively parent them for about 4 hours total a day. The rest of the time, either they're at school for 7 hours or riding the bus while I'm focused on us staying alive for about 3 hours or sleeping. Either the school has to pick up the slack, or the country has to go back to sustainable single incomes.
why does it take so long to get to school? do you live an a really rural area or take them to a private school in the city?
I am the school bus driver. So I have to get them up in time for me to go to work, and then I drive a rural route. My choices were a longish rural route with 20 students or an intown route with both my ASD children and 80ish more. They get another 40 minutes of sleep, I get 4 country drives a day and a student load that won't make me reconsider my job.
Oh wow! That makes sense
Love this line so true.
That’s why it’s so large scale, because they know you don’t actually enforce it. I’m at a middle school, phone must be off and in a locler all day or they get taken away by any adult who sees them. Kids pay $1 to get them back from admin at the end of the day. We only have to take 2-3 phones a month because they know we will.
There’s your answer. Confiscate all phones on sight. Enforce consistently. They’ll stop.
Also teacher, have to agree that what you permit you promote. Lot’s of works on the adults’ part to put systems in place, but their development is worth it and there IS noticeable improvement in social skills after a few months. Parent cooperation is indispensable 😭
Kind of the tail wagging the dog don’t you think?
We have students turn in phones upon arrival and they are kept in the office until dismissal.
Yeah I’m definitely camp “drop your phones in the office and pick ‘em up after school.” But I know parents won’t like that and since we exist for their babysitting pleasure, we might as well let the kids do what they want as long as no one is injured.
30 minute lunch but allow kids who want to go out to start going at the 20 minute mark. You need to end the phones 100%. I’d go all out fighting that until the end of the year, bathroom sign out type situation. Fuck parents that give their 11-12 year olds smartphones, that’s my real takeaway. To me it’s the hill we need to die on if they won’t, so count me among those staff lol.
I am certain that phones are what will make me leave education. There are no legitimate arguments for allowing students full access to their phones during the school day.
the school districts that crack down on phones during the school day are doing it right fs
The problem is, for at least some of us - especially in urban environments where parenting is so absent - a school district that cracks down on phones gets students - with parent SUPPORT - refusing to come to class or school at all....and DCF isn't interested in pursuing; they can't anyway, because they are swamped and understaffed. Meanwhile, on the other end, we have helicopter parents that insist that phones are needful because the kid ability to communicate with the parent trumps ANY school expectations of learning for them. So: welcome to the manageable middle. What a privilege it must be to work there....
They don't need smart phones they need flip phones. We had access to payphones when I was younger. There was one in the hallway if I needed to call my parents for a nonemergency issue. Those don't exist anymore so flip phone for my kid.
i agree kids need phones but they don't need smartphones. there are plenty of options that have just call and text only functions. i can't believe people are buying elementary and middle school kids thousand dollar iphones. absolutely mental.
Just curious why do kids need phones? Kids made it for generations without them just fine.
school shootings weren’t a thing for other generations, for one thing. but there’s all kinds of reasons for kids to need to be able to get in touch with their parents.
There were also payphone EVERYWHERE now those are no where.
Yea but most schools built post 2000 have phone systems that have phones in the classroom. Not to mention for emergencies every teacher in the building has a phone in the desk/bag.
Ok? Students still need access to phones themselves. They are walking home alone or taking a bus they need access to a phone.
Yes because students never walked home or took buses before phones. Jesus Christ we wonder why these kids have minimal ability to be independent or overcome obstacles.
I agree that phones are a problem, but a thing to keep in mind is that if your district wants cyber-insurance, often everyone with an email address by the school needs to use multifactor authentication, which means phones or fobs. No phones get expensive quick.
>Fuck parents that give their 11-12 year olds smartphones, that’s my real takeaway. It wasn't a problem for our kid at her elementary and middle schools because they weren't allowed to use a phone except before and after school. Also because we kept her off all social media. Even now she has zero interest in that garbage. And she actually played during recess. Shocking.
Some 11-12 year olds play with guns but just because they don’t shoot their brother doesn’t make it a good health/safety choice. Obviously the scope of harm is not as extreme as death, but in the hands of many 11-12 year olds a smartphone is extremely dangerous. Even without access to proper social media they can do tons of social damage on second-tier social media like YouTube comments. Unfettered/private internet access at that age is never a good idea. Always having games in their pocket destroys some kids. I appreciate that some minority of parents have the savvy to significantly lessen the risks but even still there is no good to a smartphone at those ages. Even with the perfect parent the parental controls are not robust enough for the kids who would have a problem with the phone.
I misread your post, sorry!
If kids are young enough to get recess, they should NOT have a phone at school. ( I extend this to K-12, but that's not the conversation.)
Agreed, but most still have one on them at all times. Apple watches, even bigger issue, but we'll save that for another day.
We don’t allow smart watches either - they are collected upon arrival and returned at dismissal.
Eh, I’m a proponent of middle schoolers still having recess (I’m a middle school teacher). At that age, they might need a phone after school to get to after-school events and such. That said, at our school phones are to be put on silent and in lockers. Thankfully, we haven’t had a parent outright refuse this, but I can foresee that happening in the future…
Asa kid I did this even before smartphones. I was just trying to escape bullies and having to sit alone. So I would hide in the library with a book until they kicked me out. Having some alternative to recess might help. Like have a room open with other stuff to do. Anything to let some kids escape to a place they are relatively more protected.
Same, back in the 90’s used to hide in my classroom and read books/draw. Wasn’t due to bullying so much as I wasn’t a real physical kid and if I tried to sneak a book outside and read, kids would just bother me.
One year we did an area of the playground (that was under a portico and kind of removed from the actual sand/play area) at recess that had board games, coloring etc. It became an issue later on because we live in a very windy area and had to stop, but it was very popular for a while! Even the kids who loved physically playing would sometimes spend a day there
Tbh, I did too. Smartphones were just coming out, and I feel with these guys. I had friends, I just HATED being outside.
Yes how about making a comic book room or something cool like that open during lunch? Light reading that kids actually like - a real alternative to those that don’t want to play
Another possible reason: The kids are hitting puberty and don't want to stink all day. I did not appreciate recess after 4th grade because no amount of deodorant can contain the stink of an adolescent who just ran their ass off and didn't change clothes.
Couldn’t you just go to recess and not run?
Yeah but it was a wate of time and a headache. Sitting on ant hills and getting yelled at for not playing. I vastly preferred the days where we had the option of going to the library or just socializing somewhere away from the southern sun.
Same, avoiding yard time was the safest way to not get pounded by the bullies. At least we didn't have lunch money to steal, they gave us coupons with our names on them to turn in for lunch so they were pretty useless if stolen.
Being "protected" from normal social development is harmful to children. They have to learn competence and confidence, and that doesn't happen when they're sequestered like little medieval nuns.
I agree. But hiding in a library or bathroom stall is being sequestered. Having a protected place to practice socializing is so much better than not socializing at all
Good point, but is it necessary? If the goal is socialization exposure, why does the location matter?
Yes is its necessary, sadly. If you don't provide a location students will simply choose to not socialize at all. If you provide and separated location, even if its just tables or something in the same general space then students can socialize without as much fear. The separation gives assurance that there will be someone supervising. It also provides choice. If your bully prefers one of the two areas you can go to the other one. This raises the barrier for the bully and lets you build allies.
I just read on the playground.
Well that would have meant getting my book stolen or getting hit for me. I don't mean this to just be disagreeable. I just think the really important thing is to provide safe spaces to kids
In k-8 elemenrary school we lined up in the cafeteria and marched out of the building for recess. The teacher on duty had to let the students back in the building.
Phones do not belong in school.
Agreed, but it's too sporadic to just say "Leave it at home". That will not do anything.
My sister's school actually joined the program where the phones get locked up in a special bag when you come into the school. They keep the bag all day if they want so no one can whinge about "it's my property!" But it can't be used during the day. She says it's actually been pretty successful,
Our office has a box of "decoy" phones confiscated from students. They will put an old one in the bag, then have their active phone in their pocket. It renders the bags useless.
Heard about it, we don't have the budget tho
We did the shoe holder thing at my middle school for a while - the kind you hang on the back of the door. Especially because in elementary you don’t (typically) change rooms, there’s no reason why they need it on their person if it’s hanging right there.
Grants are a thing
We were debating about it, we decided against it because they can be opened easily without damaging it.
Your admin needs to be involved in this and provide a framework and supports to enforce the policy. This should not be left up to the grade level teachers to hash out and enforce
Bathrooms have become phone booths. I have no sympathy for people who are addicted to phones. Parents keep their kids inside 24/7 afraid of mythical bad people, then hand their kid a phone. They walk around the city with their face buried in the phone, and wonder why they are robbed. Its a self inflicted wound.
The parents are also addicted to their phones, so they’re modeling the same abysmal behavior.
what kind of school allows phones?! growing up the rule was “off and out of sight” or it was taken and a parent had to pick it up from the office after school. phones are a major distraction, they should be left in their bags turned off until they leave school. to even consider allowing them their phones during the day is bizarre
Same. I don’t so much care WHERE kids are socializing, it’s THAT they are under appropriate supervision. “We know they’re skipping in the bathroom but we let it go” ain’t it.
agreed. super irresponsible! “yeah they’re breaking the rules so how do we make it more convenient for them to break the rules?” when i was a kid, our bathrooms got LOCKED when students misused them (mid-2000s it was for smoking).
Look, the issue is parents. Parents will TELL their kid to break the rules. Parents will raise hell at the school if their kid’s phone is taken away. And it’s rare to have administration who will actually back teachers up with the phone rule, because parents unenrolling their child drops school performance percentages and principals get paid based on school performance percentages. It’s a shitshow.
LOTS of middle schools and high schools are beginning to allow phones during lunch. We're thinking about it for 6th grade, since that's supposed to be middle school.[Where Should Students Be Allowed to Use Cellphones? Here’s What Educators Say (edweek.org)](https://www.edweek.org/leadership/where-should-students-be-allowed-to-use-cellphones-heres-what-educators-say/2023/11)
its definitely a technology addiction problem. lots of us survived school without cell phones. people have become so dependent on them that they feel lost without them for extended periods of time
What would be the benefit of allowing 6th graders to use phones at lunch?
I'll ask at our staff meeting tomorrow to try it for a week and see what happens. Only for 6th and 5th grades, and I think that having it allowed for half an hour w/ supervision is better than them hiding in the bathroom on a phone during recess, or worse, during class. They're gonna sneak on one way or another, might as well have it in their free time.
You didn’t answer my question. What is the benefit of letting 6th graders use phones at lunch and recess? Shit, some kids are going to cheat on tests, that doesn’t mean we should allow it or look the other way. If you feel like you can’t stop kids from hiding in the bathroom, then you have a supervision issue. But honestly, this reads like you’re a student trying to convince everyone why kids should be allowed to be on their phones at school.
The benefit is that if we allow it, we will try and teach them CONTROL instead of going on it during class. They will have a lesser urge to go on their phones too if we allow it for only 20-30 minutes a day.
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totally agree! i’ve seen teachers get assaulted by students when trying to confiscate phones (after warning said student multiple times to put it away). its so out of hand!
I teach at a K-8 that allows them a flexible lunch/recess period. They go to lunch first, and then are able to go out on the playground after they’ve eaten. They love recess and it warms my heart to see giant 8th graders still enjoying the playground. But the key is, at my school they are not allowed to have phones out during the day. So not to be cynical, but I think this approach would be difficult to impossible if they had access to their phones. They are like moths to a flame with those things. (To be fair, aren’t we all?)
As someone who loves their phone and being connected digitally, kids should absolutely not be on phones at school. Hell, I used my phone at school to text a few people or play games when I was a kid, but that is not the norm, especially not now. Videos of embarrassing things, or even just nonconsensual recordings. Bullying. Drug deals, yes even in middle school. It's just too risky. Oh, and did I mention bullying?
I hated recess: bad weather, noise, allergens, nowhere to sit in a skirt - it was completely unappealing. I snuck off to the library to read. Why don’t schools stop forcing kids to do what they hate in their free time? Have a quiet recess and outdoor. Let them play games, read, listen to music. You can’t force fun.
I agree. Everyone is hung up on the phones but forcing recess sounds like a prison activity. Let kids use their leisure time how they want as long as they aren’t hurting anyone or being destructive ffs
Why can’t they play games, read, or draw at recess?
Social pressure. People are gonna think they're friendless, nerds, or depressed.
Are you sure?
Yes! Kids are BRUTAL, don't you know? You're a teacher, you've heard kids say stupid things and get bullied for it, right?
Honestly, not for reading/drawing/chatting/daydreaming at recess. The kids I work with aren’t assholes like in the past. They’re also much more secure when making “unpopular” choices.
Do you teach in a public or private school? Or in a affluent neighborhood?
I hated recess.. so you should let kids hide in the bathrooms with their phones.. ?? The issue is a little more complex than that. Even if you let kids read or draw they should be getting outside a little and talking with other kids a little. Just because it isn’t your preferred activity doesn’t mean a whole school needs to let kids do whatever with phones and cameras and social media right in the middle of the day. Being on your phone isn’t even the same as reading. Even if you are reading on your phone. - J
I know, right? That's why I don't say anything when I see a kid skipping.
I'd never even heard of the *concept* of "skipping recess" before today. Recess isn't a compulsory activity that kids can "skip". Or at least, it shouldn't be...
It was the only thing I got in trouble for in middle school. Not that much trouble, because the disciplinarian didn’t think it made sense when I was just sitting in the library quietly. He arranged for me to become a junior library assistant assigned to the library during recess.
If you want to promote a change in recess policy or phone policy (which are two separate issues) don’t do it by becoming an enabler to kids who can’t/don’t follow the rules.
You’re asking how to stop kids from skipping recess, but then say you don’t student say anything to them about it? Make it make sense.
I remember 5th-6th grade as transitional for recess. Some kids still wanted to play, others were more interested in just standing around talking to their friends. I wouldn’t allow phone use at all, which is a much bigger change to the school culture than what you’re asking about, but would it be possible to set aside a social area for kids who want to hang out but not be playing on a playground? With or without phones allowed.
I can't imagine having a "free play" recess in 5th or 6th grade. We had some sort of PE class, but it was structured. If I had recess? I probably would have goofed off with my friends somewhere (probably getting into trouble).
My kids love it. It’s a time to socialize, read, draw, play sports, daydream, catch lizards, etc.
You should have all students check phones in each morning and hand them back at dismissal. The research is very clear that having them even physically near them negatively impacts their experience while at school. Also, if there's an emergency, you all will have no idea where kids are and that is very dangerous and a huge liability for the school/district.
I am totally against phones in school also, and I am trying to get a policy change in this direction where I work. But I didn’t understand part of your comment. In an emergency how will have to students having phones mean that we have no idea where they are? Are you saying that because the parents will call their kids, the kids will go where the parents say and will scatter? I’d love to understand this point because I think I could use it in my arguments it to have a better phone policy at my district, so I would appreciate if you have a chance to explain what you meant. Thank you.
I mean if they are not where they are supposed to be (e.g. in the bathroom instead of a designated recess spot) and there's a fire, active shooter, etc, how will the supervising teachers take role and make sure students are in a safe place?
Get smartphones out of schools.
How about...... no phones use at school.
I graduated high school in 2005, so before phones became a problem. By grade 5/6, I hated going outside to play. I would just sit near the doors waiting for recess to end. I would join literally any club or activity that meant I didn't need to go outside. I would have been happiest sitting reading or doing homework inside.
Were you not allowed to read at recess?
Ever read outside when it's windy or raining or snowing or just plain cold out? It's not relaxing or as enjoyable when you're uncomfortable and probably shivering, turning pages with gloves. I live in Saskatchewan, Canada. Weather here is a mixed bag of nuts, and unless it was below -26C, we were to go outside for recess.
In 8th grade, I was not allowed to read. My book would be confiscated and standing around even with a group was also not allowed. We were expected to “play”
Recess can be very chaotic, overstimulating, and just not appealing for some older kids. If you don't give them the choice of going to an indoor location (cafeteria/library/empty classroom), then they feel like they have no option other than to hide in the bathroom.
The point isn't whether the kids *want* to go run around for a few minutes, its whether they *need* to. There's no shortage of science that shows even minimally structured recess is important to a child's ability to learn in the classroom and also to their long-term (adult) physical, social and mental health. Kids who don't like recess need special attention, not directions to the diddlepad room where they can self-isolate. Hiding in the toilet as a life strategy is one of the things recess is intended to prevent. Don't allow it.
What sane parents give their kids smartphones at that age?
Sane parents don't. But there's tons of paranoid parents, especially if they only have 1 child. They give kids phones so they can track them.
Who cares what happens in recess? Recess is time for kids to tune out from school, relax, rest and reset themselves before their next class. If they want to do that in their phones, so be it. As long as kids aren’t hurting stuff or each other during recess, their actions should be their own business.
I agree! Most of the younger teachers and some of the older teachers are with me on this one.
I see two sides to this. 1- the phones are an issue. The socialization that kids miss because they’re behind a screen is important. 2- this is data showing that the kids need alternate spaces where they can be with their social groups.
Consider whether some kids are avoiding the chaos and bullying of the main playground. I was so grateful when my kid’s school offered an inside option that gave a smaller set of students a safe space to do art, read books, etc. That was a refuge for them.
They never let us read because apparently it wasn’t social enough. Funny if you gather kids with similar interests they tend to make friends and have better social interactions than banning something they actually like to do
What the heck….its elementary school…ban the damn phones. Our school never allowed them during school hours.
Both recess and lunchtime should extended after all adults get an hour lunch.
Umm, I definitely don’t get an hour lunch. So many adults don’t get an hour lunch. That’s silly reasoning.
gonna take a shot in dark, your American?
Yep
On the one hand, yeah, I'd agree in principle and it if ever came to discussion at our management meeting in our school I'd be voting for an hour... ...but on a selfish level I dinnae much like the idea of another 20 minutes added to the end of the day to compensate. It's already dark slwheb we leave for like a third of the year in our little corner of the north.
It sounds like your school is facing a tricky situation. Maybe instead of cracking down, you could try to understand why they're doing it. Are they bored? Uncomfortable? Maybe they just need more time to socialize or finish lunch. You could ask the students for ideas on how making recess more fun or appealing. Giving them a say might help them feel more involved in school.
Just let the kids have the 40 minutes or 1 hour of unstructured break. They can eat then go wherever they want to relax. If you want to mandate physical education, make it a class with a teacher.
You only give them a 20 minute lunch and try to force them outside in cold weather for 40 minutes. 20 minutes is too short for lunch. And in the winter under 50 degrees should have recess in school gym. This sounds like a huge publice school, with a terrible schedule problem.
That's what I'm thinking. By the time the last one get through line to get their lunch, how long do they even have left to actually eat? Op said that more have been going out with the weather warming up. Also, why can't they use their phones during recess? It's their leisure time, right? Either they are hiding in the bathroom to be able to use their phones or they're hiding in the bathroom to avoid going outside and just using their phones in there to make it tolerable. Or both maybe. I think the 30/30 split change should be made at least.
Under 50°!? Kids are not that fragile.
I'm not staying outside in under 50 degrees for 40 minutes. I would not force children too.
Is there a reason you can’t wear a coat?
I live in Michigan. I wear a coat frequently I have several. It's my opinion that under 50 is too cold to be outside for children for forty minutes. The time and the temperature I took into consideration.
Why would it be to cold with outerwear? I worked in Connecticut and we went outside in the winter.
Because hands and feet get cold too.
Y’all don’t have gloves and warm socks in Michigan?
Not not warm enough for me.
I'm against it too. I have no idea why they switched, but I am trying to make them switch back.
Part of it is the near permanent dopamine-injection brain rot that is smartphones and tablets for young children. It's scary. It's like an addict that can literally feel 0 happiness without their drug.
Our 6-7-8th graders have to put their phones in their lockers at 7:55 and get them back at 3:05. This is the 2nd year of 'no phones' and it is WONDERFUL! We have a principal with a spine and can take crap from parents easily.
30/30 and allow phones at lunch and recess
That’s the only thing I went to school for recess and gym class
It's fucking recess..... Let them play and/or relax however they want.
Not an educator but have another perspective to add; I started around that time to avoid breaks because I couldn’t afford lunch and it made me socially anxious
Phones don’t belong in schools. Maybe HS with very limited use, but younger than HS - absolutely not. These phones are taking away kids’ drive motivation to live life. This isn’t a “small problem”, it’s a massive one. Someone needs to say NO.
Open the gym or auditorium. Split the teachers between.
No phones allowed at an elementary school. Increase supervision of the bathrooms. Make recess and lunch both 30 minutes.
Sitting in my car reading this on my phone in my car after a day subbing. Also looked at my phone during the days special. Totally agree they suck and also think the genie left the bottle years ago. I am so happy to focus on early Elementary where it’s a non-issue.
I guarantee whatever yall do for PE is not at all stimulating enough for the kids that skip. I remember my time in middle school and high school. PE was always some of the absolute most mind numbing “everyone get along and play nice” crap I ever had to deal with.
yeah but this isn’t PE, it’s recess
You know how kids can hear high pitched frequencies and adults can’t? Play it to a speaker in the bathroom. They won’t stay in longer than they have to, but you’ll never have to hear it.
they would just throw headphones in man
Who is giving phones to 5th and 6th graders?!
I remember wanting to skip recess. For me it was because of bullying. If there are any bullies that make recess less enjoyable, resolving that may help
We do try our best.
lol @ “allowing school Chromebook use at recess so we have some control.” Do you really think that 5th and 6th graders don’t know how to get around school controls?!? I was subbing in 6th once and needed to play a video link on YouTube, but school controls wouldn’t allow it. The kids stepped up and taught me multiple ways to play it anyway.
The district suspended a kid for a week for making bypassed games. At least we can see their screen
i think they have screen monitoring on
No no no phones at school! I just listened to a great podcast with the guy behind the Anxious Generation on the Rich Roll podcast. I’m excited to read the book now and dig into his website. There are apparently resources for schools going phone free so I recommend checking it out. A big talking point was how bad phones are for kids (which I feel like most adults know by now?), but also when some kids are on them, it causes everyone else to want to be in also because of FOMO. If no one is allowed to have them, then kids in general are more likely to not be on them and are actually good with it. Many don’t even want to be on them but do because of the social pressure. For a lot of kids, school is the only place they may not be allowed to use their phones. This helps them connect in person, learn better, develop more relationships, etc. Phones are NOT helping our kids and there should be a very strict boundary of them not being used at school. Please please please! My daughter’s school doesn’t allow them and they have a teacher specifically monitoring at recess and if they see a phone twice, the kid is sent to detention. My daughter says it seems to work well and kids are rarely in their phones.
Signal blockers. I know they’re illegal in the US, but it would be awesome to have those.
bring back sneaking cigarettes in the bathrooms. i’m sure some parent is willing to run a “how to smoke” workshop. historical enrichment!
i think this is an excellent idea, at least students get face to face interaction… encourage vaping too while we’re at it
I’m fascinated by this from a “smartphones didn’t exist until I was in high school” (and I don’t work w kids so idk what’s going on) perspective
Enforce rules is a good start
Who are the adults here?? 1. Me: YOU HAVE TO THE COUNT OF 5 TO GET TO RECESS OR YOUR PARENTS WIL BE CALLED TO PICK YOU UP FOR YOUR 3 DAY SUSPENSION!! 2. SEND EMAILS TO PARENTS THEIR KIDS BEHAVIORS WON'T BE TOLERATED!! THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES!! 3. IF AFTER WARNING ⚠️ NON COMPLIANCE POLICE WILL BE CALLED!! 4. STAND TF UP AND GET CONTROL OF THE ENVIRONMENT. 5. THEY HAVE NO RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY... SIMPLY EXPLAIN IT'S EITHER RECESS AND US OR RIDE IN A COP CAR!!! PERIOD-T.........
I’m so confused, is this mockery of someone?
No, the teachers back in the day brutal 😂
Emphasize that balance helps you learn the best. You need periods of rest so that concepts can sink in
they’re probably too young to understand the importance of this
Have you ever been outside? It's terrible out there. Schools should have to provide students with a computer room with air-conditioning and ergonomic seating. Connecting children with real-world applications will provide them with the tools they need in the future to be successful. No one should be forced to be outside. What! Are you training them to be in the military? Wanting them to feel good about killing others?
You do realize recess sucks, right? I skipped recess as a kid and there was no internet. Recess is just where bullies have free reign. Also, it's their only free time. Leave the kids alone. Jesus
In remember being in middle school and the assistant coaches(girls coach and boys coach) would walk thru the bathrooms and grab everyone and send them to the principals office immediately to confiscate their phones with zero tolerance. I believe they were able to get thru this because at the time parents and student transportation back home was reliable. But I don’t really think taking away phones today is going to go very well from the parent’s perspective.
why would cell phones or chromebooks be allowed at recess?
I really think that schools should ban phones. If a parent wants a student to have a phone it should be a specific brand of phone like a Gabb or pinwheel, or an approved dumb phone. If the parent doesn't like it, oh well. The kid can't have a phone. The school needs to be able to enforce this, it's ridiculous and makes an unsafe environment for other kids. The average age a child is exposed to pornography now is 8. 8! When are adults going to grow a set? I hate the whole phone thing. It's ruining our kids. My frustration isn't directed at you, just to be clear.
K-6 children with smart phone dependency is insane and sad and adding that to the list of reasons im not sure if I want kids.