My son's school has a policy. If you do not hand in your homework or if you forget to bring in things (like the daily agenda) you will stay in at recess. If this happens 4 times, on the 5th day you will face an in-school suspension, when it happens 10 times you will have an out of school suspension.

I am conflicted about it.

DS is disorganised, and a little shy. Sometimes he forgets his agenda, sometimes he has his agenda in his school bag but it does not make it from his schoolbag to the teachers desk.

I think there are natural consequences to disorganisation, but I am not sure he needs external ones (unless his disorganisation affects other people, which it usually does not)

I think the disorginsation and shyness are personality traits...I am not sure he should be penalised for them? I know it would be easier for him (OK...maybe easier for the school!)if he was organised, but he is not. Maybe there are ways to help him be more organised without being punitive(although I have tried, lol. I am easing up, though...he is a good kid, with good marks, so I am trying to focus on the positive/see the big picture)

The note also made it clear that behaviour problems (hitting, name-calling etc) would land you in detention. I do not think forgetting your agenda and hitting are on the same par, and should land you with the same punishment....

What do you think?

kathy

Not Cool!

I am a teacher so let's chat about this...

1. how old is your ds?

2. grade?

3. what's the homework like? worksheets, reading, etc.?

4. how old/nice is teacher? temperament?

overall, i feel that any sort of punishment for failure to turn in homework is never ok. i have lots of great positive rewards that kids get for completing their homework for the week at the end of the week, i.e. play board games with the teacher, fun/messy science projects, messy art projects, etc. But NEVER any negative reinforcement. It just plain doesn't work!

Honestly I think it's a fair policy. Rules are rules when it comes to school and assigments with the punishment there to remind students to do the things they're supposed to do, in this case hand in homework and agenda.

Not to sound mean or a bitch, but I don't think 'personality trait' really cuts it. If that was the case there would have to be no rules for anybody based on their 'traits'.

As for a way to remind him...does the teacher not do a reminder each morning? Or how about a note reminding him everyday?

I wouldn't be OK with it. Removing recess as a routine punishment is never a good idea. How much hype do we hear every day about childhood obesity? Kids need recess.

Suspension for failure to turn in your planner or homework? I've never even heard of that. What do they do if the kids get in serious trouble? The electric chair?

[QUOTE=NaomiMcC;9144978]

Not to sound mean or a bitch, but I don't think 'personality trait' really cuts it. If that was the case there would have to be no rules for anybody based on their 'traits'.

QUOTE]

Hi:

I posted due to be conflicted. The thing is....I kind of agree with you! His disorganisation/shyness with handing in his agenda is a part of his personality, but it could also be a habit. I think it is both, in his case.

2 Crazy kids:

To answer your questions:

1. Ds is 11, in grade 6.

3. He usually does his homework (which is infrequent - and reasonable). He sometimes forgets it at home, or "forgets" to hand it in. He forgets his agenda at school often - hence I can't sign it. He will occasioanlly forget his agenda at home, but more often than not, "forgets" to hand it in.

4. the teacher is 35ish, fairly nice, and spends a lot of time on non-academics (making good choices, building self-esteem, being responsable). They have colours for behaviours - so she is into the reward/consequence thing.

kathy

Kathy I agree with you a lot on other threads. This seems like a tough one, and I am kind of speaking out of my rear end since my son is little but here's my thought -

If your son were in grade 4 or younger I would be so with you on the recess thing - I personally think taking recess away from kids is totally counterproductive.

I'm also in complete agreement about consequences - I think it sounds a bit silly and very extrinsic.

However having said all that, I think your son is rapidly approaching the age where his relationship with the school is becoming his responsibility (in baby steps, not all at once). So I think I'd ask him what he thinks of it.

If the policy really upsets him, I'd work it at both ends - work on the organization with him (once he's the one who's identified the problem), and talk to his teacher about some alternative consequences.

If it doesn't bother him, I'd let him handle it - at least up to the out-of-school suspension part, where it does become your issue (supervising during that day).

[QUOTE=GuildJenn;9145212]

However having said all that, I think your son is rapidly approaching the age where his relationship with the school is becoming his responsibility (in baby steps, not all at once). So I think I'd ask him what he thinks of it.

If the policy really upsets him, I'd work it at both ends - work on the organization with him (once he's the one who's identified the problem), and talk to his teacher about some alternative consequences.

QUOTE]

You are right. I will talk to my DS and see what he thinks.

OT: kids grow so fast. Sometimes I forget he is not a "little" guy - and it is hard to now when/how to step in.

Kathy

Ok. I asked him - he is home today. He does not like the policy either....he thinks it is unfair that doing something like hitting someone has the same consequence (detention) as forgetting your agenda.

He would like to talk (with me) to the teacher about it.

I will keep you updated!

kathy

I have two problems with the policy:

1. The kids who are disorganized are probably the ones who benefit MOST from recess. Maybe my thinking is colored by my kid with sensory issues, but one of his issues is motor planning (which often becomes just plain old sequencing as they get older), and I can see this becoming an issue when he's older (it was for my brother who had very similar symptoms). The heavy work/running around on the playground helps reorganize him.

2. Kids who are disorganized are probably the ones who can least afford to miss class!

Oh and 3:
3. It's not connected logically to the 'offense'. I can see detention for anti-social behavior. Being disorganized? What's that supposed to teach them?

Your son is old enough now that his homework could be factored into his grades. Not turning in homework would net him lower grades. That, to me, seems like a much more logical consequence.

I don't think it is unreasonable to expect a 6th grader to remember his agenda and homework. I don't see it as being harsh to disorganized students. It's about being repsponsible.
My kindergartner is expected to put his home folder in the basket on his teachers basket and to put away his things every morning without reminders. He does just fine with it.

I'm not sure if I agree with the consequence...

They are giving him 4 "freebies" before they take away recess.

I agree with it as long as it's clearly defined and reinforced. We tell kids that part of homework is practicing their lessons and part of it is learning responsibility.

My 1st grade son sounds like the mirror image of OP's son. We work hard to establish a routine; ie. come home & empty your backpack. Papers go on the desk. As soon as homework is done, put it directly/immediately into the backpack. I NEVER do this for him. I remind him & wait patiently watching while he does it. When we arrive at school, I watch to make sure he empties his backpack and turns everything in.

If he's overwhelmed by the homework (amount or difficulty) meet w/his teacher to brainstorm ways to help; ie. tutoring, etc.

And, I disagree w/recess detention for not turning in work but I don't have any problem w/indoor work time at recess if work doesn't come back.

Ok. I asked him - he is home today. He does not like the policy either....he thinks it is unfair that doing something like hitting someone has the same consequence (detention) as forgetting your agenda.

He would like to talk (with me) to the teacher about it.

I will keep you updated!

kathy

So cool! :)

the homework i could see, but the agenda is over the top. The reason behind the agenda is a way for parents/teachers to communicate & for the kids to learn a method of organizing work/not forgetting(which of course doesn't help if he doesn't bring it home,lol).

Here when the kids get to school their agendas go on their desks. Some years they have handed them in, but it depends on the teacher. most of them have the kids put them on their desks. It helps remind the kids to do it when they walk in & see half the class with their agendas on their desks.

They do reward the kids for taking their agendas home & having a parent sign it. Every day there is an Agenda Draw. 1 for divison 1(1-3) & 1 for division 2(4-6). Each agenda is numbered they draw the numbers in the morning, the teacher checks the agenda & if the parent has signed their initials the child gets to go to the principle's office & get a pencil. They go through all the kids until every kid has had their name drawn & a pencil given, then they start the rotation over again.

I'm not sure if I agree with the consequence...

They are giving him 4 "freebies" before they take away recess.

No, they aren't, according to the OP. They are denying recess each time, and giving detention for the 5th offense. Firing squad for the 6th. OK, I made that last one up.

"No, they aren't, according to the OP. They are denying recess each time, and giving detention for the 5th offense."

Close.:) They are denying recess for forgetting homework or agenda each time it happens. On the fifth day, you face an in school suspension (whatever that means, but I think it means you miss both recesses).
On the tenth day, you face an out of school suspension.

Goodness knows whqt happens after the 10th day:duck:

I stand corrected. That is harsh. Even the most organized, responsible people will forget something once in awhile. I would talk to the teacher.

I don't like recess being taken away, especially for an offense like this. But, I do agree that he is at an age where things have to start being his responsibility.

I'm curious - What have you done to help him already?

What about a checklist at home on the fridge of everything he needs to take to school in the morning? He could even make the list (sounds like it'd be a short one - lol). And, then some kind of visual cue on his backpack to remind him to bring his agenda home, like a special key chain hanging from the zipper? Just some thoughts...

Even if being disorganized is a personality trait (which I think it is as my dh has that gene), there are things that people can do to train themselves to be more organized.

On the fifth day, you face an in school suspension (whatever that means, but I think it means you miss both recesses).
On the tenth day, you face an out of school suspension.

In school suspension typically means that your kid sits in a detention-like setting all day long.

I'm also wondering what you have done at home to assist your son. I was a disorganized child and my school didn't have recess after the 3rd grade so it was more of a note home to a parent if things were left at home type situation.
There was no point in my school years where I magically became more organized on my own. I didn't become more organized until much later in life and looking back it would have been a great service to me if someone had stepped in and actively helped me to become more "with it" - instead it was often dismissed as a personality trait - a negative thing that I was critisized for, but couldn't be helped. Well, as a child I didn't know *how* to improve the situation and instead I withdrew even further.

Now I'm much more proactive about organization with my own kids. I'm specific about what needs to be done. I check frequently that they do it. I've established routines for the morning, afternoon and evening and if there is something that needs to be done at school I will follow up on it - reminding beforehand and asking about afterwards.

You may want to ask your son what he thinks would help him in this situation. Would it help to have a chart on the door? Would a note in his lunchbox reminding him to bring home his planner trigger his memory? If he has his planner with him and ready to be turned in is there something that is stopping him from doing so? Would just talking about it before and after school help until it becomes a habit?

Eh, a bit harsh maybe. But I see where the school is coming from and esp. at grade 6, it's time to enforce personal responsibility a little more.

Jenn

Last year he had a wonderful teacher that created in class visual cues to help him rember to keep organised. At home we sometimes use lists and such to help with organisation. We have over time, also used visual cues.

I have also said things like "you need to do this_________, by this hour. If it isn't done by ___________ we will have to turn off the screens until it is done".

In many ways, I do think being disorganised is a part of who he is. We have tried to help him be more organised for years, to little avail. Truthfully, I struglle with organisation as well (although in a different way....my stuff is disorganised, but my mind is very sharp). I am 35....my stuff is starting to get a bit better organised, but that is because I wanted to change. I do not really think DS wants to change. Given DS sense of justice, a punitive response to what he sees as a victumless crime (forgeting your agenda), is just as likely to make him chalk this up to "the teachers crazy", as it is to help him become more organised.

He needs to want to be more organised - which he does not. I can talk till I am blue in the face about the merits of organisation, until he wants it for himself, it do not think he is going to change.

Kathy

He needs to want to be more organised - which he does not. I can talk till I am blue in the face about the merits of organisation, until he wants it for himself, it do not think he is going to change.
Totally. The impetus has to be internal and/or natural consequences. Forgetting the tubing to my breastpump on a one-very-long-day business trip to DC (from Boston) had a profound affect on my organization thereafter!

ETA: Well, only the organization of my pumping supplies...

Now I'm much more proactive about organization with my own kids. I'm specific about what needs to be done. I check frequently that they do it. I've established routines for the morning, afternoon and evening and if there is something that needs to be done at school I will follow up on it - reminding beforehand and asking about afterwards.



This is me to a T. And I wish more parents were like this with their children in public school, as I feel more and more, with life's demands, parents are becoming more disengaged with their children's own daily routines and demands.

**I'm not saying that this is the OP's case - but it's a good point none the less**

And this is coming from me, a Mom of three with 2 boys, in which our 2nd grader is more "with it" and organized than our 7th grader. Go figure. But, I press on and back-up his teacher when every blue moon he (7th) is given silent lunch after the third time of forgetting something from home - such as homework, papers needing to be signed by the parent(s), etc... it's all about accountability.

I will add that I'm am fiercely against outdoor time/recess being taken away as some sort of punishment.

:)

Silent lunch? The idea of that makes me want to vomit. I wouldn't be okay with that as a punishment for forgetting homework. I would be okay with a bad grade for forgetting homework, or quiet time to regroup after being disruptive. But I fail to see the connection between forgetting homework and social ostracism.

This is me to a T. And I wish more parents were like this with their children in public school, as I feel more and more, with life's demands, parents are becoming more disengaged with their children's own daily routines and demands.




I have to say that I really disagree. I don't think parents are more disengaged. Quite the opposite. What I do think is different is that more demands are being placed on children than in prior generations.

Kids have way more homework. The homework is typically given out in a way that makes it harder to organize (a million different worksheets, as opposed to having it all in a few work books). Kids have instruments and music to schlep back and forth to school on the appropriate days, which they never had in my generation. It is almost child abuse if you don't have your kid enrolled in at least one sport, and all that demands.

I have to say that I really disagree. I don't think parents are more disengaged. Quite the opposite. What I do think is different is that more demands are being placed on children than in prior generations.

Kids have way more homework. The homework is typically given out in a way that makes it harder to organize (a million different worksheets, as opposed to having it all in a few work books). Kids have instruments and music to schlep back and forth to school on the appropriate days, which they never had in my generation. It is almost child abuse if you don't have your kid enrolled in at least one sport, and all that demands.

I agree with this mostly.

I do think in some ways our daily lives are less rigid (dad arrives home at 5:45 and dinner is at 6, sort of thing). So I think there may be fewer routines, or at least different ones. And it may be that establishing them is helpful (it is for me :))

But I also think the expectations have changed across the board. A lot of the curriculum is different and takes place in different places - it's not just "workbooks, and the occasional poster board and research at the library" but internet research, typing, watching television shows, etc. The information is much more scattered.

Heck I have this myself - my parents had one phone book, which sat next to our single phone (which you, gasp, dialed). Now we have two lines in our home (one for work) and we each have cell phones with contact information, a rolodex, and we each have some contact program on our computers for work. Where's the phone number when you have to change it?

And there's the schoolwork itself - it's not just multiplication table drills, which actually might not have required paper :) - but writing essays about long division (which to me is like, :dizzy:).

And then there are the extra-curriculum components - sports and classes and volunteer requirements to get your diploma (in our high schools here, anyway).

And there are the social changes. It used to be that we would walk home from school with our friends, and often we'd look at each others' stuff and say "oh I forgot my whatever" and go back for it, or borrow the questions, or whatever. But now kids often don't have that social hang-out time with peers, so they're not getting that reinforcement either.

(On the other hand my niece puts her assignment deadlines on facebook so... :))

I don't think any of this necessarily impacts on how we address it, but I think it is a good idea to be aware of the components. :-)

Have you thought about setting up a time to talk to your childs teacher one-on-one so you can have the time to tell her what type of child he is? If she understands more about him and the type of child he is then maybe she can work with him.

The first week my DD was in kindergarten I noticed she was set in the very back of the class and she is very hyper and has an extremely short attention span. I told her teacher and she put her in the front at the table near her desk. I'm sure she will move around a lot in class from table to table so other kids have a chance to sit up front, but it's best for her now in the beginning to sit there until she gets used to the routine. :)

I'm totally just surfing around, as I don't have any kids yet. I disagree with the structure of the punishment, but it's been said and debated well so that's not what I'm jumping in on.

But just to throw this out there, I remember very well when I got to 6th grade and moved "upstairs". The 8th grade teacher, who was everyone's English teacher, was a very very good teacher but a mean ol' bat. She was very strict on organization and would publicly criticize and embarrass for forgotten or incomplete work. A few weeks into 6th grade, I forgot my spelling book. When I noticed during snack time, I nearly burst out crying in fear of her criticism. I decided to march right up and tell her in person, rather than be embarrassed in class. The memory of doing that has stuck with me the rest of my life, and that was one of the last times I ever forgot a single paper or book for school right out through college.
And after seeing how upset I was, she let me off the hook.

Negative motivation is not always the best, but by 6th grade you don't *have* to forget anything more than 4 times (and even 4 recesses out of the year is lousy, but shouldn't do permanent damage to anyone)

Just a though, hope I don't offend

hehe, you should read Frindle by Andrew Clements. http://www.frindle.com/

OMG :lol I'm reading to my class now & they're loving it. Your description of your 6th grade teacher just struck me as the teacher in this book. :D

Silent lunch? The idea of that makes me want to vomit. I wouldn't be okay with that as a punishment for forgetting homework. I would be okay with a bad grade for forgetting homework, or quiet time to regroup after being disruptive. But I fail to see the connection between forgetting homework and social ostracism.

Sorry, but I fail to see a 30 minute allotted lunch break in silence after two reminders to bring something that is expected of you a far cry from "social ostracism." I think if you, as a parent, were to verbally express this to a Teacher, they'd laugh in your face. Be prepared. Every action has a reaction, and I fully back this up in society, and yes, school.

We are talking public school here, are we not?

And the idea makes you want to vomit? A bit dramatic, but okay... :lol

Oh, and wanted to back up my stance on not caring from recess/outdoor play being taken away.

In the age of computer, and computer/tv system gaming, and with obesity constantly on the rise, this just doesn't make sense to me in regard to punishment. Especially if you live in a state, city, county where they are continually cutting back physical education funds. Our children ages 7 and 9 currently only get PE once a week, and 20 minutes outside play at school/per day.

Back in the day I had recess a few times a day, and PE daily.

Sorry, but I fail to see a 30 minute allotted lunch break in silence after two reminders to bring something that is expected of you a far cry from "social ostracism." I think if you, as a parent, were to verbally express this to a Teacher, they'd laugh in your face. Be prepared. Every action has a reaction, and I fully back this up in society, and yes, school.

We are talking public school here, are we not?

And the idea makes you want to vomit? A bit dramatic, but okay... :lol

I really wouldn't care if a teacher laughed in my face. Aside from it just seeming cruel to me, where is the connection to what they actually did? Where are the logical consquences? What does sitting in silence have to do with remembering homework? What does this consequence have to do with the real world consequences that you "back up in society?" In the real world, if you don't do the work and meet deadlines, you get bad reviews, no raises, or fired. You might have to work through a lunch break to make up work if you want to keep your job. But no boss is going to be saying "you didn't get your sales report in on time - go sit over there and eat your lunch in silence!"

My son goes to a constructivist, GD type charter school and they seem to manage just fine without assinine "consequences" for disipline issues.

I have just a sec, so I apologize if this isn't worded the best. First, I don't agree with that punishment. I'm anti praise/punishment to begin with and kids need recess.

I'm guessing your son is in an elementary setting and not middle school? It will be worse when he has more teachers and more homework. Now really is the time to deal with it.

But, what are you doing to help him? What is his teacher doing? If he's forgetting to bring his homework/agenda home, I'd try to sit down with the teacher and figure out why and what she's doing to help. On your end, I'm sure you know it takes less energy to have a system in place rather than be scrambling around looking for something or dealing with the consequences of not finding it. There really is a life skill here whether or not he thinks the teacher is crazy for such severe and non-natural consequences.

The problem is, though, that there are going to be consequences in public school -- and in life -- for not having something done and in on time. And there are going to be lots of times when your son is not going to think the consequence is good, but he's going to have to deal with it. And he's going to waste precious energy dealing with all this stuff -- it will complicate his life.

Is the loss of recess a class policy or grade-level? I do think that a policy like that is worth challenging, by the way. But I'm wondering what would be a more natural consequence since schools are consequence based. Or I guess I should say, what would motivate your son? What if completing an assignment was necessary for a group project and he couldn't participate with his group that day? Is that appropriate? It's natural, but I think many kids would want to miss a recess vs. that.

I think it's great that you're thinking of what would motivate him. Perhaps at the meeting where your son talks to the teacher about the consequences she could better explain how it does affect other people. At home, if you want to do something rewards oriented, maybe that will motivate him. That may not last, but he may like feeling somewhat organized and not having to say again that he doesn't have his agenda/homework.

I don't know. Sorry if this was no help.

Wow...go away for a day, and boy can a thread grow! Thank for the opinions!

Well, DS and I met with the teacher - she is actually quite a hard a$$. I think she has this idea that she needs to whip the grade 6 class into shape as they are off to middle school next year. After our meeting, I am concerned she is going to be on him all the time for his disorganisation (she pretty much said she would be). I do not think she is going to change the policy (although that is looking like the least of my worries at this point)

I have a letter to write or I need to go see her. I know my son and I am worried her strong arm tactics may be counter-productive.

I am willing to work with her on increasing his organisational skills (although...it is not like I have not done that, gently, for years. He really does seem to be organsiation -resistant). I just need it to come from a positve place, yk?

I do think missing recess for mis-behaving/or not doing homework is questionable (re: childhood obestiy and the fact that many kids need recess to blow off steam) yet I know I am facing an uphill battle in chnging this. Due to busing issues, afterschool detention is not a possibility. What other ways do teachers dole out consequences? (genuinely curious...and if I go in complaining, I better have a alternative idea)

kathy

In my experience, it really depends on the student in question, and the class social dynamics. I know a teacher who integrates homework into a fun activity the next day. For example, a math worksheet is designed to be cut up and turned into a game. If students don't have their home work done, there's no way they can play the game. Once the students spend a few of the class's 15-minute allotted "learning games" periods doing homework that could have been done the night before, they fall into line. She also offers before- and after- school homework times for kids who don't want to do it at home.

BUT... That kind of integration takes more than a little extra time. She's the kind of teacher who spends all day Saturday and half of Sunday up at school. She's more in need of a vacation than anyone I know, and it's only September! :lol

I'm sorry, but, um... isn't that the whole point of grades? Because they certainly don't show how much you know, considering how much of grades at that age (and even up to college) are based on busy-work... they pretty much just show you put your head down and did what was expected of you... oh, and every now and then answered or guessed some questions "right". It seems like low grades would be the "natural consequence" of forgetting your agenda and neglecting your homework. I agree w/pps about taking recess away being counter-productive in this situation and that removing recess is a natural consequence for things like hitting - social things - but things like neglecting your homework? I think failing and being held back would be the natural consequence. I'd talk to the teacher, I think.

[QUOTE=NaomiMcC;9144978]



3. He usually does his homework (which is infrequent - and reasonable). He sometimes forgets it at home, or "forgets" to hand it in. He forgets his agenda at school often - hence I can't sign it. He will occasioanlly forget his agenda at home, but more often than not, "forgets" to hand it in.


kathy


Ok, I thought the signing the agenda thing was a load of crap last year when dd had to do it.....soooo I wrote a note in the agenda that I thought it was assinine and then signed every day for the whole year at once :D

What other ways do teachers dole out consequences? (genuinely curious...and if I go in complaining, I better have a alternative idea)

kathy


I also think a failing or lower grade is what the consequence of not turning work in should be. At my son's school, which admittedly does not do much homework, I suspect they would work with the student to find out what issues were preventing them from completing or turning in work. If it was a curriculum issue, that child would get curiculum that worked for them. If the homework wasn't getting turned in because they were forgetting to hand it in, the teacher would probably make a point of asking the student for it everyday. The point is to help the student motivate themselves, not to punish them into submission.

Ok, I thought the signing the agenda thing was a load of crap last year when dd had to do it.....soooo I wrote a note in the agenda that I thought it was assinine and then signed every day for the whole year at once :D

I had a parent do that when I taught 6th grade and it drove me crazy. I laughed, though, and understood where she was coming from. It wasn't her kid that NEEDED the constant supervision at home and at school.

I teach 4th and 5th multiage grade now. It is very hard to come up with reasonable consequences for not being responsible. We don't give grades, so I can't use that. To have the kid do missed homework in class means he's missing out on today's lesson. I think having the kid do the homework during recess IS a logical consequence. Just sitting there while the others are playing isn't, but if he isn't going to bring it to class ready, he'll have to do it during his free time. My kids get an hour of recess a day. If they are making up homework during that time, it usually only takes a small part of that--they are pretty motivated to finish and get outside!

I don't think is this an issue of organization as much as it is an issue of responsibility. A student can be disorganized but still manage to take responsibility for meeting classroom expectations. Sure, it's a lot harder, but it can be done. My desk is a nightmare, but I manage to get things to the right people at the right times. I know lots of people like that. The OP's kid's teacher has pretty harsh consequences, but I bet most kids never get past missing one or two recesses.

Are there other 6th grade classes? What are their policies? Are you dealing with a school-wide policy or that of one tough teacher? If there is inconsistency between classes, maybe you could talk to the principal about working on a school homework policy. I bet if several teachers had to come together to make one they all agreed on it would be a little gentler.

[QUOTE=kathymuggle;9145097]


Ok, I thought the signing the agenda thing was a load of crap last year when dd had to do it.....soooo I wrote a note in the agenda that I thought it was assinine and then signed every day for the whole year at once :D

I like it. I really like it.

My dd got a whole boatload of grief in third grade because she would often hand me her planner to sign. I would get easily distracted (I was going through chemo at the time, and "chemobrain" is a syndrome most cancer survivors can relate to), and often I would end up sticking it in her back pack unsigned. She would then be kept in from recess. :irked: No amount of explaining to her knucklehead teacher (who didn't have my chemo excuse :lol ) made any difference. I wish I'd thought to just sign the whole stupid thing.

Our district doesn't allow taking away recess.

Silent lunch isn't allowed for behavior punishment. Kids who don't do their writing can be asked to take paper/pencil and sit at the end close to teacher's table and work on their writing during lunch. It's a logical consequence b/c they are being asked to do what they didn't do earlier.

Someone mentioned the logical consequence is grades. Here, for elementary school, homework is not allowed to be part of the grading system. In a large school district, where huge gaps exist between high achieving and low achieving schools-- policies have to be written which are considered "fair." However, what makes sense as a consequence in one school may not make sense at another.