Breakfast

[Crankin]

Veronica,

Just a thought... I am a teacher, too. I get up at 5 and my lunch is not until 12:30. Why don't you let your kids eat during class? Is it a school policy? There's so much brain research that shows how learning is enhanced by good hydration and food! Perhaps you could take a 2 minute snack break, let the kids eat clean snacks (nothing goopy) and get back to work. Or, let them eat and do seat work. I eat a big breakfast compared to most; a bowl of cereal and fruit has me hungry in an hour. I vary between egg white omelets with a small bowl of cereal, oatmeal and a couple of slices of turkey or ham, whole wheat bagels, cheese, and fruit, breakfast burritos, even tuna in a red pepper. They key is to eat protein with the carbs. Then I eat a mix of walnuts and dried cranberries at about 9:45 and a low fat string cheese at around 11. Since i teach 7th grade, I have different kids with me at these times, so it does appear to them that I am eating all morning long (though I could).

[Veronica]

We start our day at 8:15 and my class has a snack time at 10:25. We have a major ant and cockroach problem so I try to have them eat outside. This year our principal decided they could no longer eat in a designated area at recess time. So we go right outside our door onto a grassy area when we can.

I do let them eat during class on a case by case basis. The trouble with 5th graders is they can be real pigs and messy, even with something that shouldn't be, or they will try to eat their whole lunch at snack time. Every now and then though I'll have one who didn't get to eat breakfast or whatever. Those I let eat for exactly the reason you said. Hydration wise, my kids can get drinks whenever I'm not actively teaching. I also encourage them to have a water bottle at their desk.

V.

[CorsairMac]

where were you when I was in school??

[Veronica]

It can be really hot here. Today is probably in the low 70s. That's not really hot - sometimes we have 90s. They play hard. I've suffered dehydration headaches. It ain't no fun!

V.

[SadieKate]

Can you hear my violin? At least you're closer to the river than us. However, I know lots of schools aren't air-conditioned. Are you one of the lucky ones?

[DirtDiva]

I like the kids to have drink bottles too. Much easier than having them running off to the water fountain and missing stuff they should be around for. Also, I can't get through an hour and a half without a drink of water, so I won't ask that of the kids. As for the eating, unless they've missed breaky/lunch, I don't let 'em do it; I just find it is too distracting in most situations. And, yeah, like V said, they can be messy little buggers.

[Veronica]

Yeah, we do have air conditioning theoretically. We don't seem to get much cooling from the river. I actually don't mind the heat - as long as I have water. I have to see, my students start to reek at this time of the year. Hormones are starting to kick in.

V.

[Crankin]

Yea, my kids can be pigs, but I am on their cases about throwing away the granola bar wrappers, etc. Generally, I do a visual search before they leave my room. I also let them have water bottles. here in New England, hardly any schools are air conditioned and it really gets hot since we don't end school until at least June 18th or so. I just couldn't eat in front of the kids and not let them eat!
Veronica, I taught fifth graders for 2 years and I found that they were much neater than my 7th graders. I just tell them my classroom is like my house and they need to act like they are at a dinner party at my house as far as the eating manners go!

[SadieKate]

Robyn and V, I had to share this. My father taught high school English and declared that he ran a totally democratic classroom, full freedom of choice. You could do what he said or get out!

He was beloved by his students though and I got to witness it firsthand so I know he wasn't as harsh as this sounds. He had several students visit during college and tell him he was the one who inspired them to read.