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Confiscate it until class finishes
Be prepared for the wrath of helicopter parents
Our students are supposed to keep their cell phones in their locker or surrender it to the office in the morning. So technically, if we see them with a cell phone, we’re supposed to confiscate it. But if they’re not being disruptive, I don’t always take it. It doesn’t feel like it’s worth a confrontation.
And there lies that problem. It has to be all or none. Students don't understand you being nice.
Our school district doesn't allow phones out at all. Not for lunch or passing. They have to be in the locker or bag the whole time. They can only take them out when the kids leave the building. They will get written up and in trouble.
Our school district provides a station where they can leave the phones charging there. They can pick them up whenever they are ready to leave the classroom. They are not allowed to use their devices while in class.
This is why I am sooooo glad I got out of teaching: "Here's a thing that we know is causing harm, but here is a place for you to make sure the harm is available if you want it; because we know you'll just do it anyway. Here's some Narcan and a rubber, too."
I don't do anything, other than put in missing grades/zero for assignments that they don't do. I tried to have a student surrender his phone and I was told, "Cool your f**king t**s". After 20 minutes in the office, he returned to class with his phone. I learned quickly, it is not worth the battle.
Schools are supposed to be a "safe place" for students - and online access fails to protect students. First, I suggest that you check and follow the applicable "student policy" in your school. 2nd, talk with your peer teachers showing "curiosity" about the issue and see how you can blend the 1st & 2nd. 3rd, have a private conversation with the student choosing words related to "instruction," "policy," etc. In general, students in high school have a little more "freedom" concerning this issue, but you can still set classroom instruction boundaries, e.g. give ALL students FIVE minutes of "free time" toward the end of the period. Lastly, keep in mind that the number of K-12th grade-suicides is increasing due to cell phone use, and you do not want to have a school death in your conscience.
Do you all remember a song he's got the whole world in his hands he got the little baby in his hands? Well that's what I tell my kids and they look at me like I'm crazy I just tell them to look it up. Because that's you have is what that song is about.
The way I approach it is if it is a quick, non-disruptive check that is only once or twice with a solid student and it is not clear that I noticed it, I won't pursue it. If it is a problem, I tell them to put it away before I have to do my job and take it. 99.9% of the time, the phone goes away and there is no issue until the end of class. This isn't a favoritism issue, it is a practical issue. The reason most phone legislation is in place is to give the schools the authority to take devices, regardless of parent feelings on the issue. Teachers shouldn't spend 50% of the class time disciplining, they should be spending that time teach, bonding, and building with the students.
I also got out of teaching. I couldn’t deal with all the nonsense today.
I get bored since retirement, but will have to find another avenue
just leave the kids alone
So now rules do not apply and they can do what they want? HUH That is just setting them up to fail as an adult.
SC is the same as ARIZONA. The state government made it illegal to have cell phones and one must surrender it before school. If caught, the punishment is a multiple of bad possibilities. Anyway, off-topic there. I would usually ignore it unless it got out of control. Then, I'd whisper I see you and have seen you. Keep abusing this, and I'll have to take it or whatever the punishment is. I've also told them that they can listen to music when writing, but if I see it without my saying so, then... Pick your battles. Make sure they know what won't be tolerated.
Each time anyone uses one, the following day they all go in a box at the beginning of class
You should have a designated cabinet with a lock on it and put their cells phones in the cabinet when they first come to school in the morning and give them back to them when they leave at the end of the day. This ensures that they're secure that is the cell phones are secure and that they are not being used in class. Question for you how wouldHow would it be it if you had your cell phone that you took out of your handbag and check your phone while you were teaching class wouldn't that be an interruption? Same is true for the students manners are the same for both students and teacher.