Responsibility, Reeeespon-si-bility! In my head this is sung to the Electricity song from Schoolhouse Rock. Being responsible is hard for some kids. This year I have been a bit harder on the routines. Once you have unpacked EVERYTHING from your backpack, you can't go back. This means library books, vocabulary cards, planners and the like. I do allow a return for lunch money or lunch kits, but those come with a conduct mark. The kids have about 10 minutes from the time they arrive in the room to the bell ringing. It doesn't take long to empty a bag. Last week we endured tears, anger and "this is not fair!"...but responsibility is the name of the game.
Now why can't they go back to backpacks. In the past we have had some issues with "sticky fingers" so to speak and this is the time things have gone missing. Seeing something cool in a classmates backpack is temptation that can be avoided with the no return rule.
How can you help with responsibility at home? Don't do things for your kids that they can certainly do for themselves. They know that everything important belongs in their MOOSE binders. Let them pack their binders and backpacks and if they forget something, let them take the consequence. It will only take a few times to get the message. Yes they are still young and learning, but getting a good routine in place will help tremendously with learning responsibility. Give reminders and praise and we will all be more responsible.
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