You're Late
posted by Sarah @ 5:32 AM
15 Comments
Friday, October 3, 2008
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I know that as a resource teacher I have been guilty of forgetting to return my students for which I truly apologize for. That 40 minutes flies by, or I finally have my students where I want them and I can't let them go until I have reinforced their thinking. Please accept my apology, and please let my students know that you are so glad that they are back. If you do see a lateness problem that is chronic, please email me, I also have students who dwaddle.
Teaching younger grades often when a student is late it is not the students fault but the parents. Now when they are running from the playground, that is a different deal. But still, taking time away from the rest of the class to give to a late student seems like a waste of time.
I know that with the little ones, it is not their fault when they come in late. They already feel bad enough and their parents probably were stressed out in the car getting them to school(I can relate big time!) so when they come into class I try to say something like "I am so glad you are here today." Today I said that to a little girl who came in and her whole face lit up. It was so cute! I happen to be a person who always runs late herself, so I feel the need to cut others slack!!!!
Generally when a student is late for Honors it is due to losing track of time. I have found the phrase - "Buddy Up" effective when a student enters the room once the class is under way. "Buddy Up" simply means get with your seat buddy to bring you up to speed on what we are doing. I don't think this has a negative connotation for my students. I simply want them to take responsibility and find a partner to support them so that additional time is not lost.
Most students are already embarrassed that they are coming into the classroom late. They don't need any more attention drawn to them. My students know that they can just go to their seats and look to their neighbor for assistance. Being sixth graders, they also know the routine of the day and how to join in pretty quickly.
I like Karen's "buddy up" comment. It acknowledges the arrival without judgement and it directs the student in a concrete and useful way.
'your late' is pretty much useless to all. It even directs the teacher away from what they were doing.
I especially liked the last paragraph. Students don't need us to tell them what they already know. "They do need us to help them solve their problems in ways that communicate acceptance, appreciation, and welcome."
I agree with Catherine and Gwenn that children shouldn't be shamed when it is their parent's fault for arriving to school late. Welcoming the student with a smile lets them know they are a valued person in the class.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if all students looked forward to coming to school? At the elementary level, we are lucky that most do. It would be wonderful to always make students feel welcome and wanted. Maybe those reluctant students wouldn't feel so anxious.
A simple statement such as "Good Morning" to a student who is late could cause them embarassment. Even though I mean it as a welcoming gesture, they may interpret it as a silent underlying message. This reminds me of the importance of giving all students messages privately.
Usually, when a student is late to class they are painfully aware that they are late and that everyone will be looking at them when they come in. My students have enough anxiety already, and to point out they are late only makes things worse. I always try to greet my students at the door in the morning with a smile, and I know that if they come in late a smile still is the way to greet them if I want their day, and mine, to proceed in a positive manner.
In elementary school most of the time it is the parents that are late and not the student. When you call attention to the student you have now just set their day off to a bad start.
And I am sure they already is having a bad day being late.
If it needs to be addressed then it should be done in private as to not humilate the child.
I have a parent who drives from Avondale every morning! :o I use the buddy system for his son to see what he has missed that first period.
I usually don't bug kids when they are late because I am late sometimes too. If it becomes a chronic problem I may pull them aside and ask them about it and maybe if possible make suggestions to help them out with being more prompt.
When I read this I was a little taken back and I also think it applies to older students (ie. High School, Middle School). I am constantly telling my kids to come in silently and to not disrupt the class if it is already going. I don't want them to disrupt the class so why would I do it? Plus it's not their fault.
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