I have a class period where students start asking me even before class begins to leave the room to go to the bathroom, clinic, another class...My school does have a one student at a time policy, but then there is a constant train of kids coming and going. I have tried to make them come in first and wait until after my "Do Now", however, the hands start going up and I have to keep track of who's turn is next. Help!
@saanders Are you using hall passes? Not the time-consuming paper slips but lanyards with [amulets] on them. Amulets can be 3"x5" wooden pieces made by your local middle school woodshop class. Most teachers in my elementary school have 4 per classroom: Boy Hall Pass, Girl Hall Pass, Boy Restroom Pass, Girl Restroom Pass. Expectation is three (3) minutes per pass. Teachers keep these by the door so hyperactive kids can dismiss themselves. Color coded ones make verification convenient.
Hall pass (yellow) is for water break, retrieve from locker, or other errand. Restroom passes (red) are for toilets only because some will eventually abuse your rules amidst other students with legitimate need. Strong enforcement with restroom passes, less with hall passes. After 3 weeks, you'll know who to be punctilious with, likely resorting to, '...you lost that liberty because you dawdled last time'. Keep amulets on your person if you need hand-to-hand encounters for tracking purposes.
Related: I know of one high school that adamantly directs substitute teachers (a.k.a. Supply Teacher or Relief Teacher) no hall passes of any sort, not even restroom breaks! It's a hard sell but so worth it for the supply teacher.
ool does have a one student at a time policy, but then there is a constant train of kids coming and going. I have tried to make them come in first a
