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Solving the locker-during-class problem

Date: May 22nd, 2014
By: Polly Bath

Watch this video [1:00] on how to manage the behavior of a kid who always wants to go to their locker during class because they “forgot” their work. Again.

“Yeah, I didn’t bring my work. Can I go to my locker?” Again.

And again… and again!

This gets under our skin in a big way, doesn’t it?

What’s the function of a kid who always wants to go to their locker?

Avoidance. I want out of here. If I leave stuff in my locker, it’s a good exit out.

So, as a teacher, I put some things in place. I make it a classroom policy that when you come to class without your work, we’re not going to waste time going to lockers, et cetera.

Instead, I have “blanks” of everything we’re working on. Fill in the blanks and follow along.

“But I already did this, Miss. It’s in my locker.”

“Yes and there’s a time, after school, when you can make sure I get that, but for right now, follow along.”