Detention

Recently, I have instituted a new policy for students who have not come to my class prepared or who have been caught speaking languages other than English. For these students, they must come to my classroom during the 20 minute break and at the beginning of lunch and spend the time working on a worksheet, usually involving fractions and decimals. The other part of the policy that I have instituted is that if they do not finish the worksheet they must return everyday until they do complete it. On top of that, they must have every single problem correct, and I will return it to them until they do have them all correct.

I know, a little mean, but these kids need to understand several things,

1. They need to come to class prepared. If they do not, there will be consequences.

2. They must be responsible for their decisions ans take responsibility for the results of their decisions.

3. They really need to learn how to work with fractions and decimals. Adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing, etc. This is a major week part for many of my students. So by having them come in a practice, they will hopefully improve this aspect.

So far, in the week or so that I have instituted this policy, I have had a full class for both lunch and the break. I have 16 desks set up in the room and they have all been full. This is a pain for me because it takes from my lunch time, but hopefully it will solve problems down the road. I'm hoping that the students who are coming into detention realize that its not fun and they don't want to be there again. That way they do what they need to do and come to class prepared and I don't have to worry about them anymore.

I have no idea if the policy is working or not, since its so early and new. But I already know that there are students who already owe me two worksheets worth of detentions. So you know, each worksheet has about 25 problems and my experience is that it has taken most students about 3 partial lunch bells to complete it correctly. Like I said, it will be nice when these kids figure out how to come to class prepared.

Aaron