Restroom Solution

Rather than wait to take an entire class to the restroom, or make children sign out to go to the restroom, I attach magnets to the back of three bathroom passes labeled with a student's name. The passes are then stuck to each student's desk. When a student wishes to go to the restroom, he or she puts one of the passes in a container on my desk. That way, I keep track of where that student has gone. When the student returns, I place the pass in a different container—that way students cannot abuse bathroom privileges, for the used passes will not be returned until the next day.
Submitted by: Jan Shaw

Ask Three, Then Me

When utilizing the computer lab, students often like to be reaffirmed in what they are doing. To avoid losing work time, students are instructed to "ask three, then me" when they have a question. To avoid having students sitting idle with one arm raised to get my attention, they simply place a small red cup on the top of their monitor to alert me that they need my assistance.
Submitted by: Beth Glasgow

Allowing for Movement

Place desks at an angle in rows of three, leaving the middle section open. This way you can walk back and forth in the middle and be very near any student. With this arrangement, everyone is "near the front" so to speak.

Lovely Lines

To keep children from getting into quarrels when lining up, I have my students line up in "number order." At the beginning of the year, each student is given a number for his or her textbooks according to the class list written in alphabetical order. The first "line leader" of the year is #1. For a whole week children line up in number order beginning with Student #1. The next week, that child becomes the "Lights & Locks" helper. In other words, Student #1 is now at the end of the line. Student #2 is now the "Line leader." This continues changing on a weekly basis year-round so that every student gets a turn to be at the front of the line. My class lines up in "number order" for everything from going out to recess, to going to activities and lunch. When I first heard about this idea, it sounded a bit like the military to me; but after dealing with the arguing, children breaking in line etc., it has become a wonderful solution to the problem!
Submitted by: Ashley O'Dell

Taming the Tattlers

My grade 2 and 3 students learn very early on that I will not listen to tattles. If they have something "important" that they need to tell me they are required to use a piece of paper and write to me. I know that it is really important to them if they take the time to write it. If it isn't really important, they won't bother.
Submitted by: Marli

Papers With No Names

I tell the students that I grade papers with names on them. When they don't get their paper back they go to the "no name" board and identify their paper to be graded. Each Friday I send out "missing work" notes that lists what assignments I don't have from each student. (A half sheet cut lengthwise on bright pink paper.) When they get a Missing Work note and they are sure they did the work, they quickly run to the "No Name" board and identify their paper to be graded. The catch is, the missing work sheet has to be signed by a parent before I will accept their work. It only takes a few times before this is no longer a problem and I don't have to guess at handwriting or chase after students.
Submitted by: Cheryl Nowak

I keep a yellow highlighter pen next to the basket in which the students turn their work. Students must highlight their names before they place their papers in the basket. I have found this cuts down drastically on no-name papers.
Submitted by: Amanda G.

Go for the Green