It had to happen. Sooner or later, we had to have the talk. I chose a bit later.

Yesterday, we finally had the talk.

Cellphones.

Every teacher has to have the cellphone talk. It’s our reality, and so we have to establish our phone policies in our classrooms.

I chose not to have the talk the first three days. Oh, I politely asked kids to put their phones away during Smiles and Frowns, and I casually mentioned that we’d eventually discuss my phone policy, but for the most part I ignored phone use. We had other, more important things to address, but upon rolling out my 4 R’s last Friday, I decided it was time we established my policy for phone use in room 206.

A few years ago, tired of the phone fight, I decided to compromise with kids, and I began granting a “Brain Break” halfway through the period, a time for them to stand, stretch, talk, use the restroom, get a drink, and…check their phones. In truth, maybe it should be called a “Phone Break.” It’s how the majority of the kids use it. But it’s their time, and, well, it’s the main reason I did it.

So yesterday, before we got going, I told the kids we had to talk, and I shared my policy with them. Outside of the “Brain Break” and unless otherwise directed by me (using them as learning devices), phones are to remain out of sight.

Of course, though I think kids generally respect me, my stating my policy doesn’t magically end any and all issues with phones. Kids will still give into their impulses to check their phones, will still try to sneak peaks. And when they do, I will politely–usually privately–ask them to put their phones away. For those who just cannot help themselves, I will politely ask them to place their phones on my desk. They are not in trouble. They just need my help. They may have their phones back at “Brain Break.”

For me, really it’s more about time. Our time together is short, so I need them fully present. And though I am guardedly selfish with that time, I am willing to give up three minutes of it for them to attend to the other areas of their lives, which may not be important to me, but they are important to them. And I try to acknowledge and honor that. Further, and I discussed this with the kids yesterday, we don’t do homework. My class only ever takes up fifty-two minutes of their days, and in that brief blip, I need them to be fully here. I quipped yesterday that if they needed to recoup the screen time deficit that occurs in my class, they can consider recovering it later as homework.

Mom: Why are you on your phone?

Son: Doing my LA homework. Sy said I could catch up on my screen time on my time.

Jokes aside. I tried to level with the kids yesterday. I feel like my policy and purpose registered with them, and I believe our phone issues will be minimal this year. To be sure, they–regardless the policy–will always be an issue, but I believe if we level with kids and are reasonable with our policies, we can take the fight out of it.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will experience…

…connecting through Smiles and Frowns.

…growing with grammar.

…exploring theme and the human experience.

…reflecting in our Journey Journals.

…hearing a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Tuesday, all.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.