Punishing the entire class for the poor behavior of a few

[Anonymous]

Recess can't be taken away but a child can be made to walk laps at recess instead of playing. Good.

[Anonymous]

Love laps at recess. Keeps them moving.

[Anonymous]

I believe this has gone on as long as there have been schools.
"What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."

[Anonymous]

If it's FCPS--Our cluster was told we couldn't take away recess for poor behavior unless it's a major offense (basically it would have to come from an administrator). I would talk to the teacher first and then take it to the principal if it's still an issue. On my grade level, we came up with an extra recess (Fun Friday) that student have to earn. Some do it as a whole class, some do it by individual students.

[Anonymous]

I'm a teacher who believes that the kids should have recess. That said, sometimes the teachers need to have a bargaining chip. Losing recess for one day is not a disaster.

[Anonymous]

New? No, not at all. I'm in my 40s, this was the common approach when I was in school.

Generally it was more than "a few" involved in whatever was going on. Speak to the teacher, find out if that's really what goes on. I still see it used when too many are acting up.

Do they miss an entire recess, or a few minutes? DS's teacher would keep them until the room was quiet for one full minute. I don't know of many schools (actually none) where they CAN keep them in for an entire recess. It's against their rights, you know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Recess is not supposed to be used as a reward or a punishment.....that is the policy at our school and I believe is FCPS policy.

Recess should never be taken away. Let kids be kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Recess is not supposed to be used as a reward or a punishment.....that is the policy at our school and I believe is FCPS policy.

Recess should never be taken away. Let kids be kids.

Except when they're being little shits. YOU try dealing with that in a classroom; likely kids who rule the roost at home thanks to parents with an entitled attitude like yours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this the new norm or has my child just been unlucky with his classes?

I do not understand it. A few kids misbehave but the entire class stays inside during recess or is otherwise punished (elementary school). How can one child be expected to control the behavior of other children and why should they be held accountable for other kid's misbehavior?

I think this would lead to bullying. If a few kids disrupt the whole class, then send those few kids out to the principal.

Or is this how it is done and we deal with the consequences later in high school with bullying and I need to accept it as a part of school?

I ask this honestly (new to school system as a parent and it wasn't done this way when I was a kid), so please don't tear me apart.

Thanks!

Yes, it is the new normal. The collective is more important than the individual and to single someone out, for good reason or bad, is considered wrong.

Saw it done in elementary but rarely enough that it made a big impression on my rule-following kid. She said it was unfair, and so it is. Life is not fair and that is the message. She said it was never used for anything minor but when kids were really out of control and wouldn't stop until the teacher pulled recess or instituted "silent lunch" or something like that. Again, very rarely used, but used.

It's about making clear to kids that they are part of the group, and if they behave certain ways, the entire group is affected and loses something it values.

Does this create peer pressure? I'm sure the teachers hope so. And it's fine with me if it means that other kids, who ARE behaving appropriately, tell the one who acts out (and gets "silent lunch" instituted for all, for instance) that he or she has to cut it out. Someone posted that it could lead to bullying of the child whose actions led to everyone losing recess etc. Seriously, folks? The kids who are the rule-followers are going to actively bully the kids who are yelling, acting up, etc.? Bullying is ongoing and repeated; kids telling a kid to "stop doing that or you'll get us all in trouble again" is not bullying.

If a teacher is using this weekly or even monthly, yes, the teacher probably lacks good control of the students overall and as a parent I'd get involved. OP, if your child's teacher is using this frequently, bring it up (without your child or any other student in earshot).

The bolded? Doesn't sound like something America was founded upon.

[Anonymous]

"The bolded? Doesn't sound like something America was founded upon."

Neither is welfare, "press 1 for English," and the creation of a permanent underclass, but there you go.

[Anonymous]

The bolded? Doesn't sound like something America was founded upon.

So?? It's a fact of life. What a person does affects those around them. Rarely if ever does a decision affect only the person who made it.

[Anonymous]

Get over it. It really is not that important unless it happens frequently. The teacher only has so many tools in their disciplinary tool box. The principal may be no help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The bolded? Doesn't sound like something America was founded upon.

So?? It's a fact of life. What a person does affects those around them. Rarely if ever does a decision affect only the person who made it.

When you punish a group for something a few do, what have you taught the few who have caused the ruckus? That they can get a whole lot of people in trouble due to their actions. And that can be a ton of fun in itself.

We are no longer allowed to single out little Johnny or Mary, because their feelings might be hurt. And we wonder why so many adults are self-centered?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"The bolded? Doesn't sound like something America was founded upon."

Neither is welfare, "press 1 for English," and the creation of a permanent underclass, but there you go.

And look how that's working out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Recess is not supposed to be used as a reward or a punishment.....that is the policy at our school and I believe is FCPS policy.

Recess should never be taken away. Let kids be kids.

Except when they're being little shits. YOU try dealing with that in a classroom; likely kids who rule the roost at home thanks to parents with an entitled attitude like yours.

OMG you are a world class bitch. I pray you are not a teacher.