TeacherServer.com
Home | How It Works | Stats
Login | Register
     
  Case: Bathroom
I am on Block schedule, which requires students to be in my classroom for 90 minutes. That is a long time especially in the morning and right after lunch. Last year, halfway through the class, I allowed students to use the restroom and gave a 5 minute break. This was also good for their mind. It worked great. It didn't interfere with any other classes, my teachings or learning. However, at the end of last year, my department head asked me why and said I probably shouldn't do that. However, she couldn't give me a reason why. I tried to explain to her, it helps control my classroom management. I haven't done it this year and struggle throughout the lesson, because I continue to have students ask me to use the restroom. Should I go back to what I did last year?
Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!)
If it has worked in the past, I would approach the Department head with information that shows your class is having a hard time through the lesson. Compare days you have a break, to days that you do not and collect the data. Maybe a tally system of the number of students who ask to be excused. Then,I would then sit down with her and explain the needs of your students. You could also ask her to come in and sit to observe. This would allow her to see what types of struggles the students are going through because of missing the lesson.
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I like the idea of having the Department head come in and observe. Although high school students should be capable of sitting through a 90 minute lesson, after lunch is a hard time some students regarding bathroom needs. As long as there are no discipline issues during the 5 minute bathroom break I believe this is a good solution.
Rated On: October 17, 2014 3:15 pm
Rated By: Dana Johnson
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: If I were in this situation, I would exactly do this. If it's worked before I think you should fight for it.
Rated On: October 17, 2014 6:16 pm
Rated By: Doniesha
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: This is the best answer and solution for this case.
Rated On: October 18, 2014 10:59 am
Rated By: zemyRy
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree.
Rated On: October 18, 2014 2:28 pm
Rated By: TuBuJy
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Starting a dialogue with the department head is a great and logical adult solution to this case
Rated On: October 18, 2014 9:19 pm
Rated By: amemuW
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I think this solution is very effective. It is not fair to expect a student to sit through 90 minutes without a bathroom break, many people have small bladders and simply cannot wait that long.
Rated On: October 18, 2014 10:25 pm
Rated By: adenar
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: If I was in this situation this is exactly what I would do. I think that approaching your Department Head with facts that you have accumulated from your lessons would be very helpful, especially since she was not able to provide you with any reasons as to why she was asking you to stop. If she came in and observed a day with the break and a day without the break she may change her mind. Another idea may be to have her speak with some of the students to get their feelings about the break.
Rated On: October 18, 2014 11:56 pm
Rated By: yjeNus
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Good solution. Although it could prove time consuming, qualitative data may help sway the department head.
Rated On: October 19, 2014 12:16 am
Rated By: uZyvaP
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: If I were in this situation, I would do exactly this. This is a great solution because if you take the time to collect data that proves what you are doing is working and managing your classroom better, I feel like it would be difficult for the department head to tell you that you couldn't take that approach.
Rated On: October 19, 2014 4:14 pm
Rated By: SegaHu
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Great ideas
Rated On: October 19, 2014 4:39 pm
Rated By: Sanubu
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Very helpful
Rated On: October 19, 2014 5:55 pm
Rated By: HeMury
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree that if it worked in the past there is no need to change anything. It probably keeps the students engaged and motivates!
Rated On: October 19, 2014 8:04 pm
Rated By: Lauren Hill
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I think this is a great suggestion to getting the department head to understand why you ran your classroom that way last year and how it is hindering your class this year to not have that five minute break.
Rated On: October 19, 2014 10:59 pm
Rated By: Brianne Blowers
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree with this solution and think that the break was a great idea.
Rated On: October 19, 2014 11:58 pm
Rated By: uVejeg
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I think this is a good solution to this situation.
Rated On: October 20, 2014 1:16 am
Rated By: duGyJy
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I think this is a great suggestion since the department head can have a real idea of what is going on if you quantify the activities and also through observation. They might not realize how bad it is but then change their mind once they're in the classroom.
Rated On: October 20, 2014 1:23 am
Rated By: WeGuQy
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree with the ideas of this issue.
Rated On: October 20, 2014 1:41 am
Rated By: Haley Haines
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I think this is a great idea to defend your case. Without the documentation, it may look like you're going against what the leader has told you to do.
Rated On: October 20, 2014 2:34 am
Rated By: Deborah Guyton
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree with this solution. It would be great to compare your data when you do and do not have breaks. Explain calmly why and how not having breaks is hindering your classroom management.
Rated On: February 18, 2015 1:57 pm
Rated By: Javuna
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree that it can't hurt to explain why it worked and see where it goes from there.
Rated On: February 23, 2015 8:44 pm
Rated By: anuhag
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: That is a great way to handle it! I think it would show them in a polite way that this has been fine in the past.
Rated On: February 24, 2015 6:59 pm
Rated By: araseS
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Why change what has been working?
Rated On: February 24, 2015 9:09 pm
Rated By: Jen
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree, if that works for you go to your dept head.
Rated On: February 25, 2015 3:35 pm
Rated By: Sydbug
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree and I would also show or discuss how students asking at random times, throughout the class and lesson are more disruptive to the flow than breaking for 5 minutes.
Rated On: February 25, 2015 7:40 pm
Rated By: BeMyDu
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: This is a great solution
Rated On: February 26, 2015 3:20 pm
Rated By: Tabitha Tirado
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: This is a good solution to use, it involves evidence that shows it works and that you are inviting the department head in to witness it for themselves could help shed a light on the situation.
Rated On: March 1, 2015 2:53 am
Rated By: LedaQy
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I think the solution is likely to solve the problem. If the original poster's methods have worked in the past and she can prove it, then it should not be an issue for the Department Head to agree.
Rated On: March 3, 2016 10:57 pm
Rated By: usudaX
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree with this solution, I also think that if possible having the department head present in the room for a class hour would help them understand the issues that you are seeing and how it effects your classroom management.
Rated On: February 26, 2017 4:09 pm
Rated By: tygaBu
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree with the statement above, it provides different solutions to the issue at hand.
Rated On: February 22, 2019 10:13 pm
Rated By: Haley Kennedy