No Homework? Take a Lap!

If those are the rules, and she understands the rules....then....the teacher can't make an exception for O. child.

I wouldn't "like" it, but I try to understand the teacher's motivation behind the rules that they set. Usually, upon more understanding--they DO make sense.

I actually like this idea. Better than when I was a kid you stood on the blocks/sidewalk and watched everyone play. At least they are getting to move around.

ETA: I see this more of a "solo" punishment. As in not getting the social interaction vs the making physical activity the punishment. Gives them time to think about not forgetting that homework tomorrow.

ETA: I once worked at a job where if I was ONE minute late to time in then I rec'd 1 point...I could rack up 7 points and lose my job! Freebies or one get out of trouble free card is the same as missing one recess.

Well if that is their go to punishment. I suppose it could work. Personally I prefer punishments that are more targeted to the crime. So in this case staying inside and doing the homework.

I wonder if they went with that because they still want the students to get the exercise they would normally get at recess but in punishment style. I know around here, with the cuts, recess counts as part of the PE requirement.

I try to resist the urge to protect my children from the consequences of thier actions. That's not going to do them any favors.

The teacher doesn't need my approval on how she disciplines her class anymore than I need her input on how I discipline at home.

Teacher and parent have to work together. I try to back the teacher up, even if I have misgivings and need to look further into something. The same way I do with dad. We present a united front and aire our differances out of earshot of the kids. Otherwise, the kids will play us all against each other.

Even if it's "just one time." Correction is still called for. They are preparing people to be adults. You can't tell the officer....but I was just speeding "one time" Actions = consequences, every time.

Walking isn't the punishment. Missing playtime at recess is the punishment. I much prefer walking to having them "stand on the X" or "sit on the red bench" like we did when I was in elementary school. The teachers know that the kids still need the physical activity and time outside to help them through the rest of the day.

Is the lack of warning strict? Yes. Is it wrong? No. I think it's better that kids learn there are consequences for our actions at a young age, when the consequence ultimately isn't that big of a deal. And if the teacher told the students that if they forget homework, then they have to Eagle Walk, then they were duly warned. I think it's great that the teacher has high expectations of the kids.

Let's teach our kids to accept responsibility for their actions and earning positive results through hard work, instead of teaching them entitlement. In the real world, you don't get a warning for missing a report deadline - you get fined, or you miss getting the account, or you miss qualifying for a grant, and you do not get the opportunity to make it up. If missing recess and taking an Eagle Walk will get my kids' attention and help them remember to turn in assignments, then I support it.

I would have absolutely no problem with that punishment.

If that is the consequence that *all* students are held to, then yes, I'd be okay with it. Teachers have enough to keep track of, in my opinion, besides late and forgotten homework. It may be that the teacher feels this consequence is more of an inconvenience to the kids than taking a 'zero' (which does spare their grade, and actually softens the long-term consequence) and the kids are getting a chance to move their bodies instead of just sitting, which kids really need. So.. they don't get the free play time of recess and they are getting exercise AND they aren't getting their grade docked. Personally, I think it's not a bad idea.

And yes, I'd be completely okay with it. If my son forgot his homework, this is a very reasonable consequence. At grade three, kids need to make sure their work makes it into their backpack. If my son came home complaining, I'd remind him that he seemed to be given a grace period and to go right now and put that homework in his schoolbag.

I don't really have a problem with it. Maybe you can suggest that the kids take a lap and then come inside and do their homework?

You know, it's almost the end of the year. Your daughter has been in school long enough that she should know what will happen if she doesn't follow the rules. Warnings come at the beginning of the year - not at the end.

Teachers need to enforce the rules of the school just like you enforce your rules at home.

I'm willing to bet *everyone* knows this Eagle walk is a punishment and what it takes to get one. It is not so much about walking/exercising as a punishment as it is losing playing privileges, I hope you can see the huge difference.

Schools have to have rules and consequences, you leave her in their care all day. I'm sure there are dedicated or rotating staff to supervise the kids during their walk instead of each teacher missing their own time to take a break.

So yes, *I* would have been completely fine with the consequences. I would have told my daughter that I hoped it taught her a lesson and she needed to remember her homework.

I'd say if the teacher warned of that consequence she was right in implementing it. It might get better results than detention has. Taking a walk is always good for us, gets your blood circulating and helps kickstart our brain in some cases, and if your daughter doesnt like doing the Eagle Walk you can be sure she'll be doing her homework in the future. I think you should support it.
JMO

The school is not "parenting" your child. They have chosen a form of discipline that you don't agree with.
There is not a single form of discipline that all parents agree on, just like there is no single form of discipline that works best for every child. I guarantee that if kids were forced to take a zero or sit inside at recess there would be other parents who didn't find THAT sort of punishment acceptable.

I don't agree with every single policy at my kids' schools but I understand that they can't please every parent and every child and that they choose consequences based on what they think will be the most effective OVERALL, so no, I wouldn't have a problem with the Eagle Walk.

Absolutely, I'd be ok with it! I think that's waaaay better than having them stay inside and sit at a table as a punishment. ANYTHING to get the kids moving and physically active is OK in my book. I wish MY kids' school had this (I'd probably make them "forget" their homework every once in a while on purpose, though...I'm kidding, of course).

I always back the teacher. Life is going to teach your daughter much harder lessons than that, and you won't always be there to pick up the pieces. Letting our kids experience consequences that we didn't dole out is a valuable lesson that I wholeheartedly support.

Just be thankful it's not like my son's school, he has to have detention if he has missing homework. They sent something home at the begining of the semester saying what the new policy was on homework and they do make them walk around the track if they have gotten in trouble for anything and yes sometimes it is the class having to do it. Before they built their track the kid would just have to sit out for a while but this way they know the kid is getting out needed energy. With the homework they are trying to teach them to be responsible. My husband has taken our some in to school early a few mornings cause he's left it at home and had him work on it before school starts. I see nothing wrong with what they are doing.

Bet she won't forget it again. And yes I am ok with this. It means she got some exercise in. Did not have to have a detention which in my opinion are a big pain in the butt. And no I would not call. Your doing nothing but undermining the teachers authority. Would you like her to call your house and say I don't think its fair that "X" has to eat her vegetables the way you prepared them. instead I think you should do something different that I like better?

I think its a GREAT idea. My sons 3rd grade teacher was trying to keep him INSIDE for recess for every little offense he made. I said, no way, he is ADHD and if ANYONE needs to be outside running around getting the wiggles out, its him. So we had a meeting about it and figured out some alternatives to do with him and they know that he is to NEVER miss a lunch or recess. I would rather have them outside walking laps then sitting inside writing out sentences of "I won't forget my homework", or something similar. Good luck!

Yes, I would be OK with it. A little physical activity never killed anyone.

What I am not OK with is that they are taking something that should be positive (physical activity) and are turning it into punishment. We have "Walking Wednesdays" at some of our schools where we do a walking school bus to school and parent volunteers lead walks off campus during recess. These are volunteer activities, not punishment. It's a way to give kids who would otherwise just sit there doing nothing, something to do. If I were you, I would contact the school about the Eagle Walks and find out what the intent is supposed to be and that you are concerned that this is being used as punishment, which may be sending the wrong message to the kids about fitness and activity, which should be rewarding experiences.

Personally, I'd prefer a warning system before doing the Eagle Walk, like she's warned once for forgetting her homework and next time it's the Eagle Walk. But it's not the worst punishment in the whole world and it probably works really well since they'd much rather be playing than walking. The teacher needs to set boundaries to manage 20+ kids for 7 hours a day. If you were in his/her shoes you'd probably find that a bigger punishment quickly goes farther than stupid demerits or something like that.

I think that is a great idea, although I agree it physical activity shouldn't be presented as punishment. There are lots of good students at our son's school but there are enough lazy kids, physically and academically, where I can see that approach working (and much much needed). Maybe this will help your daughter and she won't forget her homework ever again.

Personally, I would support it for my kid, but the punishment wouldn't work on him. He would love it because he likes to run. He'd probably make a race out of it with the other crimminals!

Considering that most schools have no recess policies where children have to stay in because of infractions, this is a great alternative. Kids need exercise - and doing the Eagle walk is how they get it. The more exercise kids get, the better they can focus on their studies.

Look at it this way - some schools dropped recess, Music and Art in order to get more academics in and get their test scores up. Everyone is up in arms about it, including the recess. Everyone talks about how the kids need to be able to run around for their health. So... instead of saying no recess for an infraction, they GET the exercise without the privilege of playing.

It makes a lot of sense, and quite frankly, the more we stand WITH the teachers on expecting kids to do their homework and what they are supposed to do in school, the better our kids will do. What doesn't make sense is to get in arms over it.

Dawn

I love it. at my sons school they make you stay in from recess and if you're talking in class they take away recess time. I actually told my sons school that they are not to take away his recess but to make him run laps. If he's acting up he obviously needs exercise. Personally, I don't see the big fuss. She's getting outside. Maybe next time she won't forget her homework. Not trying to be mean or say shes a bad kid. But actions do need consequences. What kind of punishment do you want her to get? I personally think we as parents need to back up the teachers. Would you rather she get a zero and it affect her grade or are you thinking since it was a first time offense there should be no punishment? Sorry, hope that didn't sound mean. I again personally think we as a society underestimate kids. I don't think a punishment hurts their mental minds. They need it. They need to learn about consequences of actions.

No, simply for the fact that you don't want to tie exercise to punishment. A perfect way to encourage sedentariness! I'd say it's fair that she sit out resess to do extra work - but not the homework assignment itself. Otherwise, kids won't do it at home because they can just skip recess and do it at school.

I would take it from the angle that this teacher is using a program that is supposed to be GOOD for the kids and turning it into a punishment. Maybe contact the nurse or whoever organizes this and let them know what is happening-emphasizing that it is going to turn kids AGAINST walking for exercise.
Our school has a program like this and it is optional-my boys think it is crazy to give up recess for something like this so never do it.

everyone forgets sometimes, and their are consequences for forgetting. That is life. I don't have a problem with the Eagle Walk for missed homework as long as 1. the child knows a head of time that this will be the consequence, and 2. it is applied to everyone equally and 3. the weather is cooperative and they are supervised. My 2nd grader forgets her homework occasionally, and the first time, the teacher gave her a pass. But getting closer to the end of the year, the teachers have started being tougher about implementing consequences in preparation for third grade. One time missing recess or moving her clip to the next color level and she was determined never to forget again.

well, it's not horrible (i think some of the stuff they come up with in PS these days is Really Horrible), it's just not very well-conceived. yeah, walking won't hurt anybody, but how does it relate to the infraction? i really dislike the notion of taking something that ought to be wonderful (physical activity) and using it as a punishment. i also think schools have become so anti-play that it makes me scowl to see what little play time they have get yoinked.
why not have her do some extra make-up work?
it's not such a huge deal that i'd be all fired up or making a stink. i'd save my ammo for the bigger battles, and there are always plenty of them. but no, i wouldn't approve of this.
khairete
S.

it depends, would i be ok with it IF every child, INCLUDING the principals kids, and relatives of the teachers got the same treatment, yes. as long as the weather is not above 80 or below 40. if i discovered my child was being treated unfairly, i would be the first person to show up at the principals house with a news crew.. i didnt tolerate my sister being treated unfairly in school, and i not going to tolerate my daughter being treated unfairly in school.
K. h.

I agree with your reasoning. I think that from now on anytime your daughter sees a walking path she is mentally going to associate that path to being punished. I think that there are other consequences that are more appropriate. Tell the teacher that this is not something you will allow and tell her to do XXX instead.

Hi, Mom:
You are so right to take offense at this teacher's punitive
reaction to the child forgetting her homework.

Let me suggest this web site for information:

www.safersanerschools.org

Good luck.

D.