I Like this Idea
@GardenGerty (160642)
United States
September 14, 2016 6:36am CST
If you peek into the lunch room as the fourth and fifth graders finish their meals, you will see students with brooms and dustpans. Some will be pushing a wide mop.
Still others will be spraying and washing tables and seats.
They help by assisting with folding the tables in half and leaning them up to store.
These students think this is a privilege. They sign up for the chance to help keep their school clean. I have heard that in some other countries it is actually part of the curriculum to do these things and maybe even cook or prepare food.
What do you think about this? When I was in elementary we had these rotations, but I think it was for the poor kids like me to earn our meals. I do not remember.
14 people like this
13 responses
@CinnamonGrl (7084)
• Santa Fe, New Mexico
14 Sep 16
I think that's awesome, Heather. They should do some of these things at every school, it's great for teamwork and pride.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
15 Sep 16
Team is the theme for our school this year.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121548)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Sep 16
I think it is a great idea! In this age of entitlement, it's nice to see kids stepping up and accepting the fact that they have roles and responsibilities to help keep society functioning, even if it's only in a lunchroom. It is teaching them very valuable skills that will help them later in life (responsibility, volunteerism, pride in community, etc).
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
14 Sep 16
In a small school you can see some neat things. When we have had a behavior problem or two or tantrums with the kids I am with, they seem to really benefit by going and assisting the head custodian with her work and settle down and I think they are proud of themselves as well. It may only take five minutes but it means everything to them.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (121548)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Sep 16
@GardenGerty One of the swimming pools I manage is in an economically disadvantaged community. Every day, we have kids that will come hang out in front of the pool, but they don't have enough money to get inside to swim. So my staff will put them to work helping out with some basic tasks around the pool, and if they complete the tasks the staff will let the kids into the pool for free. We don't just let kids in for free, they have to earn it!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
15 Sep 16
@moffittjc Awesome, and it helps them with self respect.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
14 Sep 16
we could, I loved doing it, PLUS it's a sneaky way to teach adult stuff
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
15 Sep 16
This school is small and very much like a family. When kids are out of line the staff talks about feelings and do not just yell. When kids do a good job they get recognized as well.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
15 Sep 16
@GardenGerty that sounds quite lovely
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
15 Sep 16
i did the same, e'en helped'n the kitchen 'n with servin' the other students. i think 'tis a wonderful idea, so few do anythin' 't home this days.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
15 Sep 16
Parents often say it is easier to do it themselves than to teach their kids how or require them to help. Or they say that they do not want to be "mean". It is mean not teaching responsibility.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
15 Sep 16
@crazyhorseladycx It is funny how our words can give value and meaning to our activity.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
15 Sep 16
@GardenGerty i agree with ya, hon. they sure aint doin' those young'uns any favors. 'course, some call 'em "chores" which dooms the process from the start...
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
14 Sep 16
I think all children should be taught responsibility, and help to clean up the room after lunch. We had daily 'monitors' to help out with these tasks. It was considered a privilege.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
15 Sep 16
They certainly do not lose anything by learning this. The other kids do not go out for recess until this is done, either.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
15 Sep 16
@GardenGerty I think they also become much more aware of the 'mess' they make. Hopefully encouraging them to be neater.
1 person likes this
@teresatrotter (4073)
• Jacksonville, Florida
19 Sep 16
I don't remember doing anything because we were poor. I think that the teachers are just trying to teach the kids a little responsibility.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
19 Sep 16
I do not think they get as ,many opportunities now as they did when we were kids. We volunteered through a Kiwanis program to be helpers for crossing guards as well.
@nonersays (3335)
• United States
14 Sep 16
That sounds like a wonderful idea to me. At the very least have the younger kids clean their tables, and maybe have older students do the floors after all lunch periods are over.
Teaches some useful real world knowledge and habits that seem to be lacking these days.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
15 Sep 16
When I worked at Head Start we ate family style, scraped our own plates, sprayed and wiped our own spots.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
14 Sep 16
When I was in school we didn't do that unless we were in trouble-that was a punishment. Other than that the janitors did the cleaning in the cafeteria.
There's nothing wrong with helping at all, the students should help since their the ones eating in there.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
15 Sep 16
See, that gives the wrong idea, cleaning is punishment. My great niece lived with me for a few years and had behavior problems. She did make a mess at breakfast and pour juice out. She had to apologize to the janitor. Then she got to help him and he became her friend.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
15 Sep 16
I had forgotten that. We also watered the classroom plants and did other small chores.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
15 Sep 16
It is pretty unusual here in the US. I am finding that this school district is less stress and more laid back. They seem to learn as much or more and learn some life skills as well.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
15 Sep 16
I think it is important that kids know how to keep their classroom clean.
1 person likes this
@getthat (52)
• Pune, India
14 Sep 16
I think that is an amazing idea .It not helps children learn discipline but also makes work easy for others.Its good that children learn about work and cleanliness at the lunchrooms at schools.Manners and discipline can be taught anywhere and school is the best place .
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
15 Sep 16
They spend so many hours at school so it is important that they learn life skills there.
1 person likes this
