Insert sarcasm. I totally know that isn't possible or a thing, but I am so over BUS LOADING TIME!!! My students are normally fairly well behaved until bus time rolls around. I totally know the chaos of 4 loads and being required to teach until the bell before packing up is part of the chaos, but there has to be a system of management that has not been bestowed upon me for bus loading procedures that don't cause the kids to lose what bit of civility they have within them.
Any suggestions???? Probably relevant to most age levels, but I'm primary. Thoughts? Wisdom? Please help
They have told us no more than 5 minutes before the bell. I have one load at a time to get backpacks ready. I think part of the problem is that due to lack of time and the fact that the 1st load called is nearly half of my class is part of the problem. I have 12 students on that load. :O So 12 trying to get packed up, coats on, and shoes ties (as needed) is a bit too much.
Really. It's the only way you're going to be able to cope with this madness. Push independent reading or some Jack Hartmann videos to the end of the day so the other kids are doing something educational while you are calling by table/group/whathaveyou to get packed up. Whoever decided you could accomplish an entire packing up in 5 minutes has never worked with small children. If they insist it's doable in 5 minutes, invite them to come and show you how to do it.
I teach middle school, so I have no first-hand knowledge, so take my advice with a grain of salt. But I remember reading a similar thread where teachers talked about packing up way before the bell (like 30 min-hour) and then moving some part of their day that didn't require the kids' stuff (read aloud, whole-group lesson of some sort, etc.) to that last slot. Then they could teach right up to the bell, but the kids were already packed up and ready to go.
Not sure if something like that would work in your case, but I thought I'd throw it out there in case it helps!
I teach middle school, so I have no first-hand knowledge, so take my advice with a grain of salt. But I remember reading a similar thread where teachers talked about packing up way before the bell (like 30 min-hour) and then moving some part of their day that didn't require the kids' stuff (read aloud, whole-group lesson of some sort, etc.) to that last slot. Then they could teach right up to the bell, but the kids were already packed up and ready to go
I used to have the students pack up, then sit back down. That was a good read-aloud time, and it kept them calm and quiet so when announcements came on and dismissal began, they were attentive and ready to go.
I pack up 15 minutes before and do read aloud (unless I lose track of time ). That way they’re sitting nicely and quiet and I dismiss in a nice, orderly fashion. I actually love the end of the day (unless I lose track of time ).
May not be helpful in your context, but I have my kinders ready to leave 10 minutes before home time. We read a story and then I dismiss them one at a time and they choose a hug, a handshake or a high 5 to say goodbye. It is a special time of day in our class.
Last edited by ElizabethJoy; 02-06-2019 at 09:33 PM..
We also pack up early and then have storytime. After recess (90 min before dismissal) I have the kids put their coats on the backs of their chairs instead of on the hallway coat hooks. When the bell rings, they are ready to go!
In that school it worked.
Now I am in a school that expects the kids to get ready in 3 minutes. I really tried, but absolutely hated that rush. It made us all leave stressed.
I get the kids ready after a final bathroom break now. They have coats and backpacks on the back of their seats for about 20 minutes before dismissal.
At 1st, I had to deal w/some snarky comments if the P happened to walk in at that time or before dismissal. I just dealt with it because leaving the day on a stressed note is not good for kids or me.
My kids are 4th grade so I have an important assignment that takes about 20 minutes to do for them during that time. It is a wrap up activity. I try to check them asap if it is a writing 1 so that they know if they slack during that time it is noticed and completed during "their time." The day ends much nicer now. The P seems to be more realistic now or he has just given up w/ the snarky comments.
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02-06-2019, 04:33 PM
I have one load at a time to get backpacks ready. I think part of the problem is that due to lack of time and the fact that the 1st load called is nearly half of my class is part of the problem. I have 12 students on that load. :O So 12 trying to get packed up, coats on, and shoes ties (as needed) is a bit too much.
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