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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Does your school have an alternative system to Golden Time?

83 replies

OdinsLoveChild · 09/10/2016 10:55

I hate Golden Time, it's just been introduced to our school along by the new head (I wish they would think up their own ways of running a school instead of just carrying over something from their previous schools) .

The head has removed afternoon breaks for years 5/6 and replaced it with this Golden Time where the year 5/6 students can earn an afternoon break of 30 minutes on a Friday instead (none of this doing painting/baking/sports activity stuff) . Not exactly something to inspire the children and not exactly a reward if its chucking it down with rain and their stuck inside, it's more of a reminder of whats been taken away from them .

I have spoken with the head (he asked me what I thought so far, I didnt go in 'guns blazing' complaining about it or anything) about 'golden time' and explained why I think its not really suitable but he is adamant he wont change it unless someone can suggest a better system (he wants recognised school/education websites and online documents to refer to) . He believes there is no better behaviour/discipline system and its been used in all the schools he has ever taught in.

What works in your school that isn't Golden Time?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

TeacherBob · 10/10/2016 17:34

Irvine that's sad, bless you. Move house and come to my school :)
You would need a child in year 1 though im afraid :p

mrz · 10/10/2016 18:01

By Friday most children won't remember what they did on Monday that resulted in them losing 5 minutes from golden time on so it doesn't really work to address the behaviour

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 10/10/2016 19:58

And if your aim is addressing behaviour rather than just punishing reactively, then positive behaviour management strategies are going to be more effective anyway.

TeacherBob · 10/10/2016 20:11

I don't think I have ever seen a true golden time, that addresses and changes behaviour long term. I am not sure that is even possible.

(Disclaimer: The point of my 'special writing time' is to get boys writing and seeing it as fun, and not as a reward for behaviour).

MM5 · 10/10/2016 20:12

I saw a class the other day that had 1/2 hour of mindfulness on a Friday afternoon. Everyone took part and they could choose their mindfulness activity. Some were meditating, some were doodling, others mindfully colouring,meta. It was a lovely calm way to end the week while developing some good mindful strategies.

There is a lot of research that shows mindfulness development supports improved behaviour and lessens anxiety in children.

TeacherBob · 10/10/2016 20:18

Isittimeforwine

Just noticed your post about your head, missed it before.

I am afraid I agree with him wholeheartedly.

I want children to achieve/learn/behave because it is the right thing to do.

I reward children with praise (the right kind of praise, praise effort, not result) and they love it.
I will acknowledge sometimes children need a 'thing' as a reward, whether it be a sticker or a toy from a box, but in these cases they are usually linked to SEN or extreme behaviour. In both cases, if I have to use these rewards, I try and make it a short term reward, whilst still working on the longterm attitude changing stuff such as growth mindset.

TeacherBob · 10/10/2016 20:19

MM5 that's awesome, good to see.

Though I would ask, instead of on a Friday, do you think it could be more effective as a beginning or middle of the week thing?

CauliflowerSqueeze · 10/10/2016 20:20

Odins

If you actually read my post you will see I didn't go complaining to the head. hmm He asked me my opinion.

I didn't say you "went complaining" to the head. I said you complained. He asked your opinion and you complained that you didn't like it.

TeacherBob · 10/10/2016 20:21

Off-topic slightly, but I know of one school (religious, affluent area) that I have recently studied in, that had 3 minutes meditation after EVERY lunchtime.
It was an awesome way to start the afternoon and the learning in the afternoon was better than I am used to.
I couldn't quite make it work for my class last year but am tempted to try it with the class and see how it goes.

atomicpanda · 10/10/2016 20:26

TeacherBob how does your system work with children who refuse to write and who don't respond to praise? A child with PDA for example.

mrz · 10/10/2016 20:27

Is it a complaint to give an honest opinion?

CauliflowerSqueeze · 10/10/2016 20:36

I think it is when someone says a rewards scheme put in place by a new headteacher is "not inspiring" and "not a reward" and a reminder of something which has been "taken away" from the children. And when it culminates in the headteacher being adamant he won't change it.

Didn't sound like a hugely positive conversation.

If you give a negative response to something as a result of being asked your opinion, it's a complaint isn't it?

TeacherBob · 10/10/2016 20:40

atomicpanda

I don't really know anything about PDA tbh, so I couldn't say.
I did a quick google and it seems linked to autism so all I can talk about is my experience.

I worked closely with two ASD children who wouldn't really put pen to paper. One would write one or two words, and the other would scribble.

Within 3 weeks of taking over their class (mid-year), one was writing a paragraph independently and the other a whole page of a story that I could read and he could read back.

But, and I think this is key, it wasn't just because of one thing. We had special writing time, I introduced growth mindset massively, I insisted they joined in with phonics (both would refuse and leave the room). I spoke with parents and shared all their successes with them (instead of parents having to listen to me complain). And I raised the expectations of them massively. It is a combination of all of this. I don't think any of them would work alone.

Incidentally, I also run boys writing clubs for reluctant writers. The first thing I do in it is stop the writing. Then I only let them write for a minute at a time. Remove the pressure and they write more, and were bringing stuff in from home.

Each child is different and unique, you just have to find the right way for each child.

mrz · 10/10/2016 21:10

Those are opinions not complaints

mrz · 10/10/2016 21:11

"If you give a negative response to something as a result of being asked your opinion, it's a complaint isn't it?"
No. Or you could never give an honest opinion

MidniteScribbler · 10/10/2016 22:31

what is a genius hour project?

Genius Hour (or really, 100 minutes at my school) is when students can work on whatever they are interested in. It came about from Google who lets their engineers spend 20% of their time working on anything they like, and apparently many of their biggest products have come from this time. It generally begins with a question, and they then research it over the course of the term, then present on it at the end. So for example, one of my students wanted to know how we can encourage people to do more recycling. There's three of them doing this topic, and they have researched the various issues around it, and come up with a proposal to improve it within the school. They are meeting with the principal and deputy next week to present their proposals (they will be accepted, as I've already discussed it with them) and then they will implement them. They've made up special labels to go on boxes, incentive schemes for classes, posters to go around the school, even a skit to put on at assembly, etc.

I was pretty skeptical about it at first, but it has been amazing to see. They love having the time to work on their own projects, and you can hear a pin drop in my classroom during that time, without me needing to say anything. There has been some pretty fascinating projects as well.

MidniteScribbler · 10/10/2016 22:32

Off-topic slightly, but I know of one school (religious, affluent area) that I have recently studied in, that had 3 minutes meditation after EVERY lunchtime.

I have quiet time after getting back in from lunch. Students come in and lay on the floor, and I put some quiet relaxation music on for a few minutes. It works well to let them catch their breath after lunch, calm back down and get into a good headspace for the afternoon session.

Meeep · 11/10/2016 11:03

I would be furious if my children's school implemented a whole-class reward / punishment scheme.
They're unfair, they don't work, and they encourage bullying imo.

user789653241 · 11/10/2016 11:27

Wow, MidniteScribbler, that sounds fantastic. That is what they really need for my ds's school. Rather than just do whatever they want, do whatever they like, but with a bit of thinking involved. Your school sounds amazing.

MidniteScribbler · 11/10/2016 16:04

Rather than just do whatever they want, do whatever they like, but with a bit of thinking involved.

We try and keep structure to it. They have to present their original question to the teacher and check in at each point, so it's not a total free for all and the teacher can guide what is being worked on. I've been amazed at the depth of some of the projects, and how dedicated to them they are. If you google Genius Hour, there are heaps of sites about it.

CruCru · 11/10/2016 18:36

One friend brought in a thing where she got each child to write something nice about each of the other children and they got put into a jar with their name on it (I think she checked what they wrote).

Then, when they did something good, they got to pull a compliment out the jar (stuff like, Janet, you were very kind to me the other day or Melissa, you have lovely hair).

I think this was year 6. She said it was actually really helpful because there were some quite major friendship issues in the class which she found out about early on (due to some kids not being able to think of something nice to say about some others) so it was something she could keep an eye on.

CruCru · 11/10/2016 18:37

Sorry, my friend was their teacher (in case it wasn't obvious).

Drama123 · 11/10/2016 19:00

We use golden time at my school. Some save it for friday afternoon, some do it as and when.
I personally like to do it as an when (equates to once a week) so that I can say, "you've worked so hard in x y and z, now you can have 20 minutes choosing time (drawing, games etc)
It works well and they love it.

thesockgap · 11/10/2016 19:01

My kids' school always had golden time, but in the opposite situation to yours OP, our new head has done away with it! The poor kids are gutted!

HerRoyalNotness · 11/10/2016 19:08

We have rhino bucks (rhino being the mascot). Earned on the spot for effort, behaviour, etc, there are 5 categories. Just a little slip of paper printed up.

They get to 'spend' it every month I think in the rhino store. Which is lots of small things you'd find at the pound shop, stickers, toys, sticky hands, etc..

I imagine it takes a bit of organising but the kids seem to like it. DS2 is saving his so he can have lunch with te principal. 100 bucks he needs. Good luck to him

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