Case
Transitioning for recess

When transitioning going back inside from recess, kids are lingering not really listening when I tell them to clean up. From this, we keep getting back to class a minute or two late from the students picking up the things. What can I do to minimize this situation?

Solution #1
Top Solution
You could give students jobs so that they feel responsible for cleaning up. Each student can have a job and the jobs can rotate throughout each week.

If I were in this situation, I would exactly do this.

I love the idea of giving students jobs.

Solution #2
A few tips I've observed is the use of consequences. If the students are informed that they will lose recess time or be made to do walks for not listening and the like; this will take a few times of reinforcement. It's understandable that they don't want to finish playing, but they need to understand there is a schedule. Of course, you can also explain that good behaviors and performance can be awarded. Consider offering 5 minutes of extra recess time for a week of good class behavior or for good class performance on tests or with substitutes (something they can work for). You can also consider giving them a 5 minute warning as a pre-transition, it will start to get them into the mindset that they will need to clean-up soon. If the recess is indoors and they're a kinder or first grade class, then maybe a cleaa-up song.

If I were in this situation, I would exactly do this.

I don't agree with punishments that waist time as a response to teaching the importance of being on time.

I like how you mentioned rewarding good behavior!

Solution #3
Maybe create a song you sing to get in line, or can create something that engages their mind that it is time to go in. They are becoming conditioned to have that reaction, so change the conditioning and you can change the attitude and behavior.
Solution #4
Create small rewards that the class will receive if they consistently clean up quickly and listen to instruction such as a movie day at the end of the month.

Yes, you could create a tally system where if they are efficient they get a tally and then after so many could get a reward.

Solution #5
To make this transition a smoother and more time managed one I would have the students start picking up their toys from recess 5 min sooner than you have been. This will allow for some extra time to make it so you are not missing out on class time. Maybe setting a timer that both you and your students can hear at recess would be a good idea so they know when they need to start cleaning up.

Setting a timer and making clean up time into a game would be fun as well, as long as they are safe during it.

Solution #6
I think that something fun for the students is assigning weekly jobs. The jobs can be assigned to new students each week and this will give them a feeling of being involved and important, rather than just cleaning up. I think that another way to get them inside would be to always plan a fun lesson or activity that they can look forward to.
Solution #7
If students are lingering around and not completing their responsibilities within enough time to make it back to class on time, then I would take time out of their recess. I would explain to students that because they are not doing what is expected of them in a timely manner they will be losing free time during recess until they are able to do so. Maybe this will be more of an incentive for them to clean up a bit faster?
Solution #8
Try to start wrapping recess up five to ten minutes earlier. Let the students know that at whatever specific time they must start cleaning up their surroundings. Assigning students different jobs will help them hold themselves and each other accountable. There could also be some reward in this, if the students can get cleaned up and back to class on time you'll play music during their work time or some sort of other exciting activity.
Solution #9
I would go over the expectations with the students again when leaving recess. Setting these clear expectations will allow the students to be held accountable for following/not following the rules. To add, maybe give the students incentives such as everyone will get a sticker or prize if they follow the rules every single day for a week.
Solution #10
I would be straight forward with my students. When we would line up or get back in to the classroom, I would let them know that each day we will clean up a minute or two earlier until we can manage a structured time. This would be in result to students in the class not cleaning up on time. Certain students who immediately clean up and follow directions, may be rewarded with small incentives like "School money" for the school store.

I like this because it takes away a little of what they care about.

Solution #11
Giving students a 2 minute warning before the actual time needed to clean-up could work. You could also consider making it a competition to see who can clean-up the quickest or most so that students are motivated to do it quickly!
Solution #12
I would create a written procedure for the students to review before the next recess time. That way the students have clear expectations of what is expected of them. I would recommend using time restraints, each minute counts when it comes to class time.
Solution #13
If I were you I would make cleaning up fun! I would divide them into two groups. One group is in charge of cleaning up Mondays & Wednesdays.The second group is in charge of cleaning up Tuesdays & Thursdays. Fridays can be clean up for both groups. Make cleaning up a competition have a timer, the group who cleans up the fastest , that has the fastest time on fridays gets to pick out of the surprise reward box. That could make cleaning up exciting for them and will minimize coming back inside from recess late.
Solution #14
I think in order to minimize tardiness for their next subject block, I would begin cleaning up early. If they ask why they have to clean up so early explain to them that they are cutting into class time by not cleaning up quickly so now you must cut into recess time to make up for it. It is a great responsibility lesson as well as showing the students the importance of respect for timed events.
Solution #15
I think having classroom jobs helps engage the students. Incentives also work.
Solution #16
Emphasize the expectation for transitions, that they should be quiet, quick and concise. If students aren't able to handle different activities during recess then they should be warned that those activities would be eliminated
Solution #17
Cut recess short so that you won't be late back to class. Explain to the students that if they want their full recess time back that they will have to be more mindful and prompt about cleaning up.
Solution #18
You can end recess a few minutes earlier and explain to the students that recess will be cut short from now because their clean up time is slow. Hopefully, they understand that in order to have their full time of recess, they will need to clean up in a timely manner.
Solution #19
A possible solution that might work is having the students begin to clean up earlier by a few minutes. I have noticed that some teachers use a whistle, their voice, or just start walking with a hand in the air to signal their students it's time to line up. It really comes down to classroom management. If this doesn't work, then maybe offer an incentive that if the class cleans up and lines up in time they earn a point, and if not the teacher earns a point. If the class has more points than the teacher by the end of the week they earn an extra marble in a small jar. When the jar is filled, then they earn a whole class award of the teacher's choosing. You could even give the class a few options and have them vote so that they are involved in the process.
Solution #20
I think the best way to solve this problem is to focus on time management. If you know the students are slow at picking up, begin to clean-up earlier and set a timer that gives students an allotted time for clean-up. This way the teacher remains in control and expectations are set. Let students know that there will be consequences if clean-up exceeds the allotted time because lingering cuts into instructional time.
Solution #21
I would start by ending recess earlier. Getting the students to respond will allow more time, but the time taken away is the consequence until they become compliant.
Solution #22
I would give the students that are listing stickers

Good incentive idea.

Solution #23
I would purposely create a small mess before recess one day and then spend an entire recess period going over cleaning up, getting in line, and walking back to the classroom. Do not just do this one time but over and over the entire period. it might feel like a wasted day but the students will get the hint on how to properly transition in order to avoid another day without recess.
Solution #24
The situation will dictate the response. The teacher may need to re-evaluate their methods on how they are enforcing class exceptions. It may turn out that the Teachers lack of "presence" is what the students are responding to.
Solution #25
I would reinforce our classroom rules and procedures. I would call out the students who are lingering and also call out the students who are on point and following directions!
Solution #26
At the beginning of the year, teachers are supposed to go over their rules and procedures. This can be a rule/procedure on how to come back in from recess correctly so that class may resume at the right time. That way when an issue like this happens later in the year, the entire class can review the rules, procedures and expectations for them.
Solution #27
I would recommend a countdown so that students know when they need to be finished by, maybe 30 seconds. If they are not finished in time, then there should be a consequence so that they understand the importance of following directions during recess.
Solution #28
I would be more stern and create real consequences that are going to affect the students