Thus, I feel that I need to address the clean desk problem again this week. I have tried a more drastic measure with this particular hardened messy desk criminal and I wanted to let you know what it is.
First of all, this student no longer gets the privilege of using his desk. All of his books, folders, and papers have been moved to a box in a predetermined location. Actually, he keeps the most essential and often-used papers in a simple folder at his desk, but besides that, he must now make a quick trip to get only the thing he needs for the upcoming hour. This way, his desk is no longer stuffed to overflowing and there's literally no way for him to make a mess because there's nothing there to mess up!
Secondly, I've turned his desk around so that the closed up end is facing him. He can't reach into his desk to play with things or to stuff things into his desk. The elimination of this distraction makes a huge difference.
Last in my final attempt at rehabilitating severe and repeat desk offenders, I have appointed a Desk Inspector. I chose one of my tidiest students (who prides herself of being a neat freak and offers to clean her classmates' desks for free!) to take a clipboard and class list around right before school ends each day. She gives each student's desk a grade - E for Excellent, S for Satisfactory, or U for Unsatisfactory. If a student receives a U, he or she must give up the following day's recess in order to clean it up. No class time can be taken for cleaning the desk. One of my colleagues told me about this idea and it has really worked for her lately. (Thanks, Mary!)
Well, that's all I've got. I think I'm tapped as far as ideas for getting those pesky desks clean. If I'm missing anything major or simple and effective, please e-mail ASAP. I'm determined that this will be the year of the Cleaner Desks in Room 14!
