Comments on: Time Out Letter

By: Tommy Tong

Tommy Tong — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:59:43 +0000

Thank You for the greet article

By: Craig Seganti

Craig Seganti — Sun, 17 May 2009 16:16:49 +0000

Listen-

Copying rules is not a form of corporal punishment so that comment is irrelevant. I guess writing essays will be considered corporal punishment next.

Classroom Discipline 101 is not an Administrative-dependent system. If administrators don’t cooperate, too bad-I have to get my classes in shape. Everything is within the educational code (disruptive/defiant students cannot remain in class, teachers have the right to suspend a student from class), which supersedes any administrator, as the Constitution supersedes any political figure. In other words, CD101 is not dependent on a good or cooperative administration. It DOES make it easier on them in the long run, and I have had several admins realize that after questioning me about suspending a student for chewing gum, etc. Once students realize there is always a price, they start cooperating.

The system makes it easier on them in the long run because less problems come from your room, but if you can’t make them understand that then go ahead and follow Classroom Discipline 101 and put the teeth back in whether admin likes it or not. I came up with my system so that I and other teachers would not have to suffer the stress of others’ wishes.

Your teeth are there, don’t let anyone remove them.

Craig

By: Daniel

Daniel — Sun, 17 May 2009 04:04:05 +0000

I tried a letter like this that had to be copied. After a parent or two complained, the VP said it was almost a form of “corporal punishment” to have students HAVE to copy a form. Because Administration was spineless and wouldnt back me up, they took the teeth out of my system!

By: S

Tue, 12 May 2009 05:13:24 +0000

Wow…I’m really reeling from trying to implement this system. I teach music and am currently the long term substitute for a middle school where I teach band, choir, and guitar and am having a very tricky time implementing this stuff. I do not feel supported by the administrators. I feel like they expect me to allow the classroom to continue being as unruly and disrespectful as it has been all year, rather than make waves by trying to get order from these classrooms and teach them some of the discipline that is inherent in music.

As a way to avoid sending too many students to the office (frowned upon) when they don’t show for detention, I’ve been having them sit outside the classroom. I decided to try having them copy this letter, but was told by the assistant principal that it was “too high brow” for the students and that I need to bring it down to their level.

Does anyone else feel this way? I certainly don’t feel like 12 and 13 year old students are too young to be able to grasp the meaning and value of this letter. What are other people’s experiences with this letter? How do your students respond to it? Does it seem to make an impact on them?

By: Kathy D-J

Kathy D-J — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 02:48:04 +0000

I’m stealing this too! I’ll be adapting it, but not much, for 5th graders. Thank you.

By: elaine

elaine — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 13:56:04 +0000

Sounds great. I just wonder how many students really get it by writing sentences. I know I did but I was a very compliant child. I deal with middle school, very cowboy type groups, who love to talk, hit each other etc. What are your 12 rules?

By: Abraham

Abraham — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:01:41 +0000

I share the same feelings as the teachers above… sorry but I also “stole” it from you…

By: Pam Payne

Pam Payne — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:20:45 +0000

Same as above! I’m stealing it, for sure. Thanks for sharing.

By: Jennyk

Jennyk — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:41:30 +0000

This is fabulous! Really hits the personal responsibility on the head. I teach in a private school, so I was able to lay the guilt of wasting their parent’s resources on them as well. I have tweaked to fit our circumstances, but this is a great tool! Thanks for posting it!