After trying just about everything I finally figured out a restroom procedure that works! It’s simple, efficient, and doesn’t interrupt our learning. Here’s what we do…
First of all, students no longer have to ask to go to the restroom. I find that distracting so I love that students are now responsible for taking care of their own needs. I taught the students about good times to leave for a restroom break (silent reading, work time, etc.) and not-so-good times (any time the teacher is giving directions & during lessons). There’s a whiteboard and marker by each door (class restroom and hallway restroom). When a student leaves to use the restroom they write their name on the whiteboard and when they return they cross it off. Only one student may leave for each bathroom at a time. WHY IS THIS SO GREAT??
1. No more interruptions for bathroom breaks.
2. I can easily see who is out of the room by glancing at the sign-out boards.
3. Only one person in the bathroom at a time means less behavior issues and quicker trips.
4. Because they don’t erase but simply cross out their names, I have a quick record of how many times different students have left the room for bathroom breaks that day.
5. The kids self-regulate because they know they can’t go if someone else is out. They encourage each other to be quick and remind each other to cross out their names when returning.
I explained to students that leaving for the restroom without having to ask is a privilege, and with that privilege comes responsibility. A student can lose the privilege and would have to go back to asking every time if there are any problems. And so far – not a single problem. I love it when things actually work!
