Gum Chewing Repeat Offenders

[nickel24]

I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?

[Unregistered]

I taught in a school that took those that chewed gum too much and had them write the word gum in every box on a piece of graph paper. It was time consuming on either part but they got the message.

[Unregistered]

Chewing gum helps some people stay focused, quenches their thirst too so they don't need water breaks! What's the problem? A lot of kids are restless, stop w/ all the petty rules & punishments for chewing gum??????????????????????
Listen, if a kid is restless, I have no problem providing them w/ a stationary bike too!
Teacher

[Unregistered]

I am a new staff member in a school that just opened in August. Our floors are carpeted and our hallways are tiled. There is no way I'm allowing gum to be chewed. I've allowed them to get away with just throwing it out and beginning on Monday the consequences will increase. I've taught for enough years to know that there are those that will always try to get away with it, but it is my responsibility as their teacher to instruct them that there are rules to living in a civilization. If the rule is no gum, they will have to learn to follow it or accept the consequences.

[Unregistered]

I have allowed my students to chew gum the past 2 years. I have "gum rules" though. If they break the rule, they loose the priviledge. So far, no one has lost it though. It seems to ease tension, figeted kids, thirst, and improve concentration. Give it a try! Main rules: don't chew like a "cow chewing cud", no bubbles/popping, no gum on the floor/under things. If the last occurs restrict class for 2 weeks! They enjoy it too much to break the rule. Lisa

[Unregistered]

i agree chewing gum should be allowed, but if it is a school rule, there's nothing you can do. If you catch a child chewing gum, have them pay you a small fee(10-25 cents) then once you accumulate money, buy altoids, or some other minty non-gum candy. Kids are conscious of their breath and will continue to chew if there's no other option, and that might help with the gum. If you posted a sign letting them know that there's a fee for chewing gum, it might discourage the behavior.

[Unregistered]

In my class, all the kids chew gum, which I have no problem with. It's just when they stick it in the pages of the textbook that gum chewing becomes a problem. So what I do, is I sign a numbered book to each desk and after one class I check the book to see if it has gum. If it does than I know who did it and if it dosen't than the kid knows how to keep gum in his mouth.

[Unregistered]

Why dont you try as a method of discipline: if they chew gum, get the students to clean school property that has gum on it. It will probably use the same amount of time as if you were keeping them in, however this time will be to better use! good luck!

[Unregistered]

I meet and greet the kids at the door every hour, with a paper plate in my hand. Please deposit gum and or chewy candy on this plate. Thank you, I'm trying to save your teeth as well. Works pretty well.

[Unregistered]

Try suggesting certs instead!!

[Unregistered]

In my high school, the rules are no gum chewing, no eating, no drinking except water. Why: the kids cannot be trusted and they ruin books, desk, carpets, flooring. I have no play in interpreting my school district rules. I ask, then tell, then write them up for violating the school rules and sometimes for being insubordinate. The administration "dishes" out the punishment. Unfortunately after this, some students still cannot figure out the cause and effect, the behavior and the consequences.

On a more positive note, I call parents. This seems to work for a while until I have to make another phone call. This is very time consuming.

[Unregistered]

Hi,

Gum chewing may be for several reasons. Have you listed your reasons why not to chew gum? Gum chewing may be for fresh breath (peer pressure), boost sugar level drop, a sweet treat in the day, relieve stress, boredom or just plain because its fun.

Suggestion: maybe a certain time daily for gum chewing and then toss it before going to the next subject matter- who knows maybe they will tire of it since it has been a scheduled part of the day

Or better yet, a book report on chewing gum :)

All the best

[Unregistered]

I have allowed my students to chew gum the past 2 years. I have "gum rules" though. If they break the rule, they loose the priviledge. So far, no one has lost it though. It seems to ease tension, figeted kids, thirst, and improve concentration. Give it a try! Main rules: don't chew like a "cow chewing cud", no bubbles/popping, no gum on the floor/under things. If the last occurs restrict class for 2 weeks! They enjoy it too much to break the rule. Lisa

>>>I agree with you to a point.Sometimes the gum and the headphones are the two things that save the kids in my classroom....The problem I find is that they forget!! They forget that it's ok here and now, but NOT in Ms. Smith's room; (And they tell her "BUT, Mr. Jones lets us!!!which makes the teacher mad, mostly at me for making her life harder.) or to control the gum when in conversation or during a presentation..

[Unregistered]

I have used reverse psycology on them. I had an old ice cream bucket that becomes the "gum bucket". Whenever someone is caught with gum, or I hear or see it, the gum is to be deposited into the bucket. It became a game with them and they would come up with creative ideas and shapes to put into the bucket. Eventually the smell got to be too much for even them (6th graders) so it was sent out the room

[Unregistered]

I like the idea of let'm, but our school rules say no. sooooooooooooo
I have them write all about the history of gum, how it is made and processed. Now they have also learned something.

[Unregistered]

Our school has a policy. No gum is allowed on the premises. We do not have the problem. Every teacher adheres to the policy, and it seems to work.

[Unregistered]

No gum in the classrooms is our district policy. It would be nice if students knew how to throw gum in the trash when they were done but instead they throw on the floor, stick to desks or underneath the chairs. So until ALL students show responsible behavior then no student should be allowed to chew gum and district policy should stay as is.

[Elise]

Gum is contraband in our school but hard to enforce the rules when other teachers allow it and some even chew gum while teaching. I teach food service and when preparing foods, one should never chew gum for sanitation reasons, therefore, gum chewing is not allowed in my classroom at all. I have a clear glass jar, labeled "gum jar." When I see the students chewing gum, I just pass them the jar. After a while, other students start passing them the jar. It does look gross with all the gum in the jar but it's a great reminder!! The first time they get caught by me, they get a warning. Second time, they have to do after school detention and scrape gum off the sidewalks or underneath desks (usually not in my class). I even have the gum scrapers ready -- I'm sure other teachers and your administration would love the help!! Good Luck.

[Unregistered]

In our school chewing gum is a violation; so whenever a student is caught doing so, it is recorded in the class record of violation reported to the adviser by the discipline officer. Usually advisers want a clean record of her advisroy section , so she keeps a close watch on who are the violators of such and impose the disicpline on her students.

[Unregistered]

I used to be really up-tight over gum...and it does still get on my nerves if I hear the "chawing" or see bubbles. But, really, in the grand scheme of things, gum chewing is such a petty battle to fight. With today's kids, I feel my time and energy can be better spent on more important issues. I like the idea posted earlier about establishing gum rules. Have each child check his/her desk at the beginning of class. If there is gum, the kid who sat there the period before loses gum for a week.

[tmcs]

I turn it into a game . . . if I can tell the kid what color it is, and I guess correctly, they have to spit it out. If I guess wrong, they get to keep it.



I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?

[Unregistered]

I usually explain WHY gum isn't allowed, show the students the underside of their desks which is full of it from previous years and teachers, and then explain the consequence. For me (I teach Spanish) they have to write "I will not chew gum in Miss Warren's class" 100 times (in SPanish) and it's due the next class. If I don't get it, it's 200 times. I also put their name on a sheet marked "Gum Chewers" to remind me to collect the assignment, and the other students can see who broke the rule. That's usually enough for them.
At my other school, I collected it in an envelope and showed the parents what their child had been doing during school. I found the 100 times more effecitve because students HATE to write that!

[Belgian EFL teacher]

I've got an interesting but rather long text about the history of chewing gum and whenever a pupil is caught chewing more than once I ask him to copy it down, which takes about 30 minutes! If the same pupil is caught chewing again, I then ask him/her to translate the text into French, which takes several hours! I can assure you no student has ever had to translate that text...

[Unregistered]

when I was in Jr. High the teacher had a student write a 2 page essay on why he should not chew gum in class. I never had to but, I remember 1 student who had to read his essay aloud to the class. She taught science not English but it had a real impact on at least a few students.

[Unregistered]

Teach and chew at the same time. Call parents; tell principal

[nickel24]

I've got an interesting but rather long text about the history of chewing gum and whenever a pupil is caught chewing more than once I ask him to copy it down, which takes about 30 minutes! If the same pupil is caught chewing again, I then ask him/her to translate the text into French, which takes several hours! I can assure you no student has ever had to translate that text...

I would really be interested in your history of gum report.
For everyone else who has been so helpful, thank you. I now feel like I have more than just one way to handle the issue. It won't just be the ol' "my way or the highway" in my class.

[Unregistered]

Dont be too alarmed by this
It's not a big offence
but you can also tell them
that if they continue to chew gum
that their cheeks will get flabby like the bulldogs
Get someone with hanging cheeks come and tell your class that
she used to chew gum when in school
USUALLY EXPLANATION WORKS -ANY EXPLANATION

They are most wellcome to try

[tyler abbott]

kids should be able to chew gum in school i think it will help increase kids memory and work habitts so people should find proof so kids can chew gum in school:thanks.

[Amy]

I teach 5th grade, and have some kids that can concentrate and alleviate stress by chewing gum. BUT, they are only allowed to chew it at certain times, and they can only get the gum from me. Unless it is a school rule that there is NO GUM, try allowing kids to chew it as a reward or offer it to everyone during a test, etc. If they abuse the privilege, it's gone. Hope this helps!

[Unregistered]

Check the research!!!! Chewing gum helps students concentrate and can improve learning and retention. Let the kids chew gum with some basic rules such as keeping it in the mouth and throw it away in the trash.

Teacher

[Unregistered]

I teach singing and gum chewing becomes a safety hazard. While I take roll, I announce that they are to dispose of their gum before I start class and after that it is a discipline issue. I always, "It's better to throw it away than it is to get caught with it." Hope this helps:)

[Unregistered]

Why can't they chew gum? My 6th graders are allowed to chew gum in my room, but not anywhere else in the school, since it's not allowed to be chewed in halls, the lunch room etc. The only rule in the classroom is no bubbles and when done, it goes in the trash.

[Unregistered]

gum definitely definitely should be allowed. in kentucky they did a research and they found that gum improves memory. so yes gum should be allowed. and for that singing teacher they're not gonna choke on it. i mean, cmon dude. well luv ya lots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Unregistered]

I made a big poster with Gumby on it...and children stuck their gum to it. Eventually, even they thought it was disgusting. It came down, and they stopped chewing because they saw how horrible it would be to clean!

[Unregistered]

For the person saying that a child will not choke on gum in singing class, that is untrue. I participated in choir for 8 years in school and there was once a girl who choked on gum. When breathing techniques are involved with students who are not used to them, it definately is a possibility. For that fact, choking is a hazard in any classroom with gum. A child can have an unexpected cough or trip in class and it could become lodged in their throat. Would you allow a child to run in PE with gum? Of course not! I hope all of the educators who allow chewing in their class have all been trained in the Heimlich Manuver.

Idea: We used to have to put the gum on the end of our nose for the entire period if we were caught. It is disgusting looking and feeling and both girls and guys are concerned about their appearance in front of their peers. They also can't forget about it since it's right in front of their eyes. Good luck!

[Unregistered]

P.S. While research shows that chewing gum helps the chewer focus, there are other children who it is distracting to. Even if the child is not popping the gum, just the motion out of the corner of another student's eye can cause them to lose focus. Also, if the person next to the chewer has sensitive hearing, the noise of squishing (even with their mouth closed) can be extremely bothersome.

[Unregistered]

The rules in my class:
1. you have to bring enough for everyone to chew.
2. manage it yourselves.
During standardized testing, I bring enough for everyone. It really helps them stay focused. In six years I have not had a problem.

[Unregistered]

I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?


To stop that say that you are going to give a free Gum throw away and the rest of the peaple who did not throw it away write them up

[Unregistered]

Gum should be allowed at any school. The more pressure you put on kids to not chew gum, the more likly they are going to chew it. Lighten up your rules you'll see a huge difference!

[A student]

i am a sixth grader and it is SO ANNOYING! I think everytime one of your students enter the room, tell them to put their gum in the trash, and to threaten them, tape a referal to the board, and if they have gum, write them up!

[Unregistered]

I dont think chewing gum is exceptable in class its disrspectable and the sound is unbearable.

[Unregistered]

say you will have to talk to there parents about it. Send a letter home? MAbey you can just keep on keeping them in at lunch and break, over time they'll get sick of staying in, and mabey then they'll stop!

[Student opinion]

OK, i no this is ateacher site but i stumbled over it while searching for civil war information. i am an 8th grader in middle school and our school does allow us to chew gum as long as we do not blow bubbles and if the techer fingds the gum any other place besides the trash can or in your mouth the have the right to take gum chewing privaleges away in that class or punish you by...a simple task of cleaning the desk tops and bottoms (where gum may actually be) its a dirty job and must kids learn from it.... One teacher i had would make u stay after class and explain to him y the student would repeadtley diobey his rules on chewing gum....he repeadtly blew bubbles and popped them ......his gum chewing privaleges were taken away!!!!

SORRY ABOUT ANY SPELLIN EERORS!!! SORRY!!!

SINCERLY,
AN 8TH GRADER

[Unregistered]

I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?
Dude let them chew gum. theres no stoping them!!!!!!!!!! take it from me I do it all the time

[studentopinion]

I know the "sound" may be unbearable but dont we teach our kids and students to ignore....the world today is about freedom and rights.....you could evn have alesson involving gum chewing...have a debate or something...graph peoples favortie gum and how many people are chewing gum right now....have them do a research project on gum..... make life fun!!!!

[not a teacher]

I dont think we should be able to chew gum in class because its the sound is unbearable, the kids would be sticking it under their chairs and Im just saying this because i have to do it for a report

[Unregistered]

Tell the students that the only way they will be allowed to chew gum is if they bring in enough for everyone and ask your permission. If it becomes a problem you reserve the right to have them all throw it away. Chances are the kids won't want to provide gum for the entire class as it is too costly.

[ifquilt]

buy a couple steel putty knifes. 15-40 gum scrapes off the sidewalk collected in a paper towel. Picky scrapers can use latex gloves. This will cure the little boogers, and keep the school spiffy clean! Most kids laugh about it when caught, do the time and never repeat the crime. Good Luck!! :p

[ifquilt]

I don't know any smart cows. Hmmmm

[Unregistered]

I think that gum should be allowed in school personally i like to chew gum so i can believe kids do to so i don;t know why but we should allow gum in school.

[Unregistered]

What is the most important thing in school? Education! And chewing gum in school improves the memory, which may increase the education!

[Unregistered]

Eagleview provides candy machines and gum(soda too). Why get too upset. I think you should have gum rules if to have any.(no blowing bubbles, popping them, and sticking them on people,books,desks, or other things.) If you catch the student, tell him or her to throw it away and give the pack of gum to you until the end of class. Set these expectations, and if they work, post me back.

Stacey Hoffens

[Kevin J]

Personally I've never had any gum chewing problems. There was one teacher I had many a year ago that was very touchy on this subject. I never understood it. What is so bad about chewing gum? It doesn't disturb anyone. Popping gum, maybe...stepping in gum, sure, but just chewing? No harm. No foul.

[kiyoquinn]

kids shouldnt be able to chew gum if they left it somewhere in-apropriate (like under a cafeteria table a child could catch the kid's germs and get sick

[Kevin J.]

Well that's no way of going about it. The kid is in school, he's going to catch germs regardless of if someone puts gum under a table or not. And if your kid is touching the gum under the table on purpose...well then that's just gross.

[Unregistered]

I taught in a school that took those that chewed gum too much and had them write the word gum in every box on a piece of graph paper. It was time consuming on either part but they got the message.
i think that is soooooooooooooooooooooooooo stupid why would you make them do that. if i were you i would just say dont let me or any other teachers see it and if i see it and can tell you what color it is and guess right you spit it out. if i guess wrong they get to keep it.

[abc_123]

I've been teaching for 13 years now and i found plenty of proof that gum-chewing really does stimulate the brain and my classes test scores have significantly gone up since i allowed it. There should be no discipline for the students who chew it unless they put it in places they shouldn't or if it is becoming too much of a distraction.

[Unregistered]

Looks like this post has been here awhile :) But I'm adding my 2 cents as well just incase it is viewed. Stick the gum on the kids nose! let him or her sit there as the other students giggle. This was popular in our school. I will say tho...I thought it was sooo entertaining to watch AND participate...lol...so it didn't work with me. I loved the attention! :o Does work for most kids tho tho. I haven't heard about this training method since my time in elementary school tho...times so change. But hey...it is an "option".

[Unregistered]

We should be able to chew gum because its not all about what we do with it basically all you can do with gum is chew it and then you can do some other things with it. But why wouldnt we chew it that is the only reason why we have it isnt it. Some gum chewers probably agree with me some probable dont but thats alright!

[Unregistered]

Hi Stacey,
I am from Elgin junior high! Our school doesnt allow gum like yours! our school isnt even allowed to have pop in the classrooms unless the teacher gives it to you! Right now me and my friend ashley are doing a persuasive writing report to give to my principal Brian Napper. We hope to persuade him to change the rules. But then some people are against gum chewing because of the gum under the desks and other stuff!

[Unregistered]

Dont be too alarmed by this
It's not a big offence
but you can also tell them
that if they continue to chew gum
that their cheeks will get flabby like the bulldogs
Get someone with hanging cheeks come and tell your class that
she used to chew gum when in school
USUALLY EXPLANATION WORKS -ANY EXPLANATION


They are most wellcome to try

that would only work on elementary
kids not middle schoolers

[Unregistered]

I'm a teacher and I can tell you that I'm not without a piece of gum in my mouth during the day. I smoke too so that's the main reason. But with my students, I tell them that as long as I don't see or hear it, you can chew it/

[Unregistered]

Just let them chew wtf! who cares

[Unregistered]

The teacher puts the person's name on the board and if they refuse more put checks and make them serve time during all the fun activites of the day.

[ABMS]

Personally I like chewing gum. :) It helps me concentrate. I don't know why students shouldn't get to chew gum. I don't have problem as long as they don't chomp it. I can't stand people chomping their gum!! :mad:

I have NO PROBLEMO!! :)

[Unregistered]

I think gum should be allowed because it improves memory by 24% and the speed of your reading by 15%. it also makes the person more likely not to smoke a cigerette.

sincerely, another 8th grader

[Unregistered]

[QUOTE=natasha}I think kids should be able to chew gum in school because
not everyone is as inmature as to stick gum in unapproiate places, I think
that you should be able to chew gum in school if you don't stick it
in inapproiate places.

[Unregistered]

allow gum in schools

[Unregistered]

Our school has a policy that no child can chew gum, as I'm sure most schools do. My problem is administrators who think all forms of punishment is punitive. No win situation! I incorporated a policy that instead of having them write the same punitive sentence over and over they must now write a certain amount of sentences telling me why they shouldn't have been chewing the gum. The kids don't mind it as much, they are self reflecting so it isn't punitive, it makes them use their imagination, and after 25 sentences it gets pretty hard. Chewing in my classes has vertually stopped.

[Unregistered]

I am a new staff member in a school that just opened in August. Our floors are carpeted and our hallways are tiled. There is no way I'm allowing gum to be chewed. I've allowed them to get away with just throwing it out and beginning on Monday the consequences will increase. I've taught for enough years to know that there are those that will always try to get away with it, but it is my responsibility as their teacher to instruct them that there are rules to living in a civilization. If the rule is no gum, they will have to learn to follow it or accept the consequences.


I think gum should be allowed as long as there aren't noisy and stick it i check after every class to see if gum is on the desks and if there is then i know who gets in trouble my friend said it should be allowed only in tests and reading.

[Roger]

Personally I've never had any gum chewing problems. There was one teacher I had many a year ago that was very touchy on this subject. I never understood it. What is so bad about chewing gum? It doesn't disturb anyone. Popping gum, maybe...stepping in gum, sure, but just chewing? No harm. No foul.
Chomping during class can disturb people

[Unregistered]

They are kids who dont have good boundaries at home and need more freedom they can take so give it to them and see how they take it then afrter a while they will wonder why and be good and wont miss chewing gom at all and trust me i know because i let some kids do that in my class and it was done after about 2 months.

[Unregistered]

If you absolutely cannot allow it, get a gallon milk jug label it Gum, as the students walk into your class have them spit their gum into the jug (don't ever empty it). Over time you will have less and less gum problems. I also like the idea of having them write gum in the squares of graph paper. Good Luck you have a long battle on your hands.

[Unregistered]

I've had gum problems too. I get the one who gets caught to distribute one stick of gum for everyone in the class for the next day. If they forget, then it's two sticks of gum. Once they had to buy an entire pack for everyone in the class. That's a lot of allowance money!

[Gatillo]

There are studies that shown students put more atention and concentrate better while chewing gum. Theese rules are from what, 1700's? Theese rules in school ****************. I agree with the fack the no there should be no bubbles in class because of the noise, and that obviously, the desk should not be used as a disposal for gum. Unless is a bad teachers desk ;)...

High School Student.
~Puerto Rico.


For those who dont believe me, look at theese sites...

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GOT ENOUGH PROOOOOOOOOOF?

[Unregistered]

I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?


I think that you should let your students chew gum every other day but have disipline

[Unregistered]

Many of you are voicing your opinion on whether it is ok to chew gum or not. Frankly, it is not important what you think about the rule. If it is a classrule, it needs to be followed. That is part of the problem with the discipline in the classroom now. "If I don't agree with it then I am not going to follow the rule".

The question was for discipline options. My students are not allowed to have gum, which is difficult to inforce because, although a district policy, other teacher allow and even pass out gum. Some even chew themselves.

I make my kids spit it out. If they have gum a 2nd time they come off the computer for the day. This means that they must come afterschool to make up the work. I call home ( I HATE doing this but it works!) My Assist. Principal is supportive and will send a child to in school suspension if I write them up for it.

[Unregistered]

Kids should not be allowed to chew gum. It simply goes against the curriculum. Next time someone chews gum use the offense system. 1st offends is a warining, and they spit there gum out. 2nd offense is they spit out gum and call there parents. 3rd offense is spit out gum, no talking at lunch and call parents. 4th offense is everything in the third offense and principal. If you reach 5th, then you just flat out get suspended. Keep a chart on what offense everyone is on. I did this for years and no body even got to the third, because they knew what was coming!

[Anonymous 7th Grader]

I am a 7th grader in a class that has a problem with gum. The way my teacher deals with it, is that she makes the person who is caught chewing gum go outside with a scraper, and scrape off one of the desks with gum on the bottom.
Right now, she is having us write a persuasive essay on the "great gum debate." The reason I'm at this site is because I was looking for pros and cons of chewing gum in class. We are in our last week of school. We will be done with the essay on Wednesday, and school ends Friday. If enough people give good arguments, we will be able to chew gum in class.
A good idea would be to make gum a reward. For example, let all the students who get an "A" on a test chew gum for the rest of the day/period.

[Unregistered]

I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?


Stand at the door for the next 5 days before class, have a cute trash can in your hand, (the gum can) and one at a time

lift the new pretty can to their mouth and say with a smile

if you have gum, spit it here please...

continue on, daily, with a smile...

at the end of the 5 days tell them there is to be no more gum chewing, you have treated them with respect for the past 5 days regarding the gum and you know new habits take a while to learn, this is their new habit, the can will remain on a desk as they enter from now on it is there responsiblity to toss it... they are mature and you trust they will follow what you have requested and treat you with the respect they deserve. After that there should be no more discussion, if you are teaching and see someone with gum, without stopping your lesson, walk to the can - pick it up - walk to the person, level it to their face without talking after they toss, return the can and continue talking about your lesson.

[Unregistered]

You have to pick and choose your battles. This is one I gave up on a long time ago!

[kab720]

I took an empty tissue box and labeled it the "GUM BOX". Whenver kids were caught, they would have to put it in this box. (This way they could not fake throwing it away.) They would also get 5 points marked off their participation grade. If anyone every asks why it should not be allowed, flip a desk over and you will discover why. Kids will put it anywhere but in the trash when they are done. Our school has carpets. Did you ever get gum in the carpet of your car. It is tough to get out.

[Unregistered]

I don't make an issue of gum, other than point it out within the School's rules. If I see them chewing it, I point to the trash can and never say a word. I have found gum to calm some students and to keep them quiet and I haven't noticed it öut of place anywhere. I teach science, so I always have the option of doing the lab...Oh By Golly By Gum. It is to measure mass. Basically you measure the mass of the gum at different intervals. After chewing it, weighing it, and chewing it, etc, within a 10-15 min. time frame, they usually don't chew gum for a while. I think the key to the problem is: why do you enforce the rule or why not? What is it about gum chewing that bothers you personally? While I was attending a college, I saw a gum tree. It was really disgusting! The kids seemed to go by and place their gum on the tree. I have often thought of doing that in the classroom. Just to remind them there is a proper place for gum and improper places have consequences. Isn't that what discipline is all about? The kids need discipline, so let them create the consequences. As a mother with a very gifted child who used to tell me what his punishment would be (at the age of 2) before I thought of punishing him, I learned to listen. They'll give you their worst fears..........and THOSE punishments do work! Good luck.

[Unregistered]

I personally don't care, but I do have to support the school rules which is no gum. So, I have my 6th grade victim research the history and process of gum making. At least, s/he learns history and economy.

I have also had students chew one of those 30-stick packs for 20 min. It's quite a strain on the jaws :0)

[cool teacher]

I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?


What i think you should do is let them chew in class. Then they'll get bored of it or they would stop because it wont annoy you anymore

P.S.

and trust me, most of the time they want to annoy you.

If you want to contact me me email address is talkativeman123@yahoo.com

[Unregistered]

Chewing gum helps some people stay focused, quenches their thirst too so they don't need water breaks! What's the problem? A lot of kids are restless, stop w/ all the petty rules & punishments for chewing gum??????????????????????
Listen, if a kid is restless, I have no problem providing them w/ a stationary bike too!
Teacher

when the students chew gum, it gets everywhere. under the table, on the floor, ect.

[Unregistered]

As a band director and former band student, I have never been allowed to chew gum in band and we memorized SEVERAL pieces of music without chewing gum. So gum isn't needed to improve the memory. Students in bands all over the world seem to have great memory without the gum.

Band Director

[Unregistered]

If you want to "win" the battle on gum chewing, state it in your rules on the first day of school, ENFORCE this policy for a month and gum will not be a problem in your classroom.

Band Director

[Ms.K32]

:D I think the students should be able to chew gum as long as they follow some rules like: no chomping, keep it in your mouth, and no sharing pieces of gum. Thats what I think...! :)

[Unregistered]

Chewing gum helps some people stay focused, quenches their thirst too so they don't need water breaks! What's the problem? A lot of kids are restless, stop w/ all the petty rules & punishments for chewing gum??????????????????????
Listen, if a kid is restless, I have no problem providing them w/ a stationary bike too!
Teacher

response
WHat is this person thinking? Yeah gum may quench their thirst, relieve restlessness, or help them to stay more focused....but what about the 270 pieces I have pulled off the carpet, walls, desks, lockers, etc..? I know how many pieces it is because I have actually mounted each piece of this disgusting matter on a small section of my classroom wall "THE WALL OF GREAT SHAME" The middle school kids think it is gross!!! EXACTLTY MY POINT

[Unregistered]

Chewing gum helps some people stay focused, quenches their thirst too so they don't need water breaks! What's the problem? A lot of kids are restless, stop w/ all the petty rules & punishments for chewing gum??????????????????????
Listen, if a kid is restless, I have no problem providing them w/ a stationary bike too!
Teacher
response
WHat is this person thinking? Yeah gum may quench their thirst, relieve restlessness, or help them to stay more focused....but what about the 270 pieces I have pulled off the carpet, walls, desks, lockers, etc..? I know how many pieces it is because I have actually mounted each piece of this disgusting matter on a small section of my classroom wall "THE WALL OF GREAT SHAME" The middle school kids think it is gross!!! EXACTLTY MY POINT

[Unregistered]

response
WHat is this person thinking? Yeah gum may quench their thirst, relieve restlessness, or help them to stay more focused....but what about the 270 pieces I have pulled off the carpet, walls, desks, lockers, etc..? I know how many pieces it is because I have actually mounted each piece of this disgusting matter on a small section of my classroom wall "THE WALL OF GREAT SHAME" The middle school kids think it is gross!!! EXACTLTY MY POINT

I believe that you are very correct, my students put gum everywhere, like they are in pre-k. It just gets really annoying. Itell them to spit it out in the classroom's trash can,before they enter the room. I feel your pain about cleaning it up too.But I petitioned at Holman Middle that if I see any student chewing gum that they shall serve there afternoon cleaning under every desk in the classroom.I think you should do the same.

[Unregistered]

I have a sign in my classroom that says, "This is a no gum/no candy environment. PENALTY: 10 pushups IMMEDIATELY and "No frills lunch."
Students go through lunch with the basics - no ice cream, cookies, sweet drink, etc. It has worked for me for 25 years in the science classroom

[Unregistered]

I had a teacher make us stick our gum to our forehead if we were caught chewing. When it fell off, we had to throw it away. It was very embarassing. That was the last time I chewed gum in his class.

[Unregistered]

I am a ninth grade computer teacher. Something that has worked for me I stand at my door as soon as the kids come in I point to the garbage can, they spit it out. Also I let them know on the first day of class gum will not be allowed in class. 1st time they break the rule I warn them and then they sign the classroom management log ,second time I call the parent, third time parent conference.

[lmedel]

I really liked the idea of the "Wall of Shame"; however, some research suggests that the continuous movement of the jaw in silent chewing of the sweetened "cud" plus the production of saliva may actually help students relax and especially during testing time. The "no gum" is a policy of our district and inconsistently enforced on our campus, just as the dress code. While students may not indulge in gum chewing, though, it is a "right" well exercised by many staff.

[Unregistered]

In my school when it is the second offense the student puts on gloves and is given a scraper and they scrape gum off of desks, buildings, the ground, and many times they realize how gross and they stop chewing gum.

[Kristin Webber]

I personally let my students chew gum, they like it, and it doesn't bother me. If i find gum on the floor or on a desk, I give my student an extra assignment. That makes them keep it off things. But I have had to hand out assignments a few times. ;)

[KatieBee]

I always loved my teachers that let us chew. They would allow it as long as it didn't become a problem--and it never did for those teachers!! ;)

[Unregistered]

I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help? What I do is I have a bucket full of gum, when they walk in, tell them to "put the gum in the bucket". It worked for me(but it started to smell, but i told them, its your classroom!).

[Unregistered]

Our schoolwide gum rule is...gum is allowed as long as it is not seen or heard. There are special situations and classrooms in which gum will not be allowed such as music, foreign language, during presentations, P.E., etc. The students understand and appear to respect the rule. They know it's a priviledge that will be taken away when they break the rule. So far, the students have been very responsible and respectful with their gum chewing and dispose of it correctly - in the garbage. Choose your battles wisely so we can move on to more pressing issues like student learning.

[Unregistered]

I've worked in both situations where the school rule was gum was not allowed and situation where it was allowed. When gum was forbidden and students constantly confronted about it, students became very creative, sneaky, and even spiteful...not getting caught and then leaving their forbidden chew for someone to sit on, step on, and clean up. I agree gum chewing is inappropriate in a school where students dialogue and interact constantly and when it was forbidden, my consequences required several things...some things I did was assign clean-up crew inside classroom or w/ building services for severe offenders, no treat when rest of class was treated for various reasons, and cafeteria clean up with support of adminstration. In the other situation when gum was allowed, I didn't like it but life was a lot easier, I wasn't gum police...and kids were surprisingly more responsible with it.

[Unregistered]

Gum is too dangerous to be in a classroom that is active. I'm a theatre teacher and my kids are not allowed to have gum. Why would you put yourself into a situation where they could choke. No way.

[Unregistered]

I have allowed my students to chew gum the past 2 years. I have "gum rules" though. If they break the rule, they loose the priviledge. So far, no one has lost it though. It seems to ease tension, figeted kids, thirst, and improve concentration. Give it a try! Main rules: don't chew like a "cow chewing cud", no bubbles/popping, no gum on the floor/under things. If the last occurs restrict class for 2 weeks! They enjoy it too much to break the rule. Lisa


I agree with you wholeheartedly. You learn to pick your battles.

[Unregistered]

Gum is too dangerous to be in a classroom that is active. I'm a theatre teacher and my kids are not allowed to have gum. Why would you put yourself into a situation where they could choke. No way.
I understand, because its theatre, but something like math, english, reading, etc. i think our students should be allowed. But definitly not science because if you are doing a Lab or some kind of work that involves chemicals or stuff like that, than now way. But im ok with it, i chew gum myself when students are doing work. As long as its not bothering me, i dont care.

[Unregistered]

I am a Sunday School Teacher
My daughter got hungry toward the end of class. She tried to chew gum and got caught.
Her teacher assigned her a 1200 word essay on Why not to chew gum in class. It has to be handwritten and she has two days to do it.
That is a pretty challenging task.
Stiff penalties like that may help you stop the kids from chewing gum in class.

[Unregistered]

yes it does, go to http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn2039 and see what scientists think



I think gum should be allowed because it improves memory by 24% and the speed of your reading by 15%. it also makes the person more likely not to smoke a cigerette.

sincerely, another 8th grader

[Kristi]

Personally, I HATE gum! I have never liked it. That's must me. That's not the reason I don't allow gum in class though. At my school, there is a no gum policy. That's the #1 reason I don't allow gum. If I allow students to break that policy then I have no grounds for enforcing other policies. Have any of you ever stepped on gum or had someone put it in your hair? That's the reason our school has adopted this policy.

[ScienceTeacher]

Maybe students would be more responsible with the gum if they made it themselves.

Has anyone tried this make your own chewing gum educational activity kit:
http://www.gleegum.com/make-gum-kit.htm

[Unregistered]

I think that gum chewing should be allowed at school because the kids work better when they are chewing on something weather it be a straw or gum. It will also help them when they are taking tests.

[Unregistered]

yes gum should be allowed in class cuse it helps you with your tests and stuff like that. It will also help you consintrate while you are working.

[Unregistered]

Make them take it out and smuch it on their face.

[Unregistered]

gum chewing should be allowed, most of the teachers in my school are nice and let us eat,drink,chew gum,listen to ipods and electronics,e.t.c and since we have the privelege to do these things the students arent worried about getting caught. So they dont stick their gum everywhere to hide it. Kids are going to chew gum no matter what its what they do.If i get caught chewing gum i will be chewing the next day and the next day it doesnt bother students and the teachers dont understand that.

[Lauren]

As a teacher we all have to put up with the constant gum chewing. it's been going on for a long time. Though you have tried everything no matter what you do kids are always going to chew gum. My suggestion possibly is to have a gum pass. That way if your student is good you give them a gum pass. But if the student chews gum without a gum pass then that student must spit out their gum and are not allowed a to recieve a gum pass for that entire week, or month. Whatever you choose. Hope it helps!

[Lily]

I am a student and i think we should be able to chew gum as long as we get the point to throw away your gum and not chew like a cow ... umm whatever they are losers for chewing that loud and throwing to gum around the room but yeah c ya later gater

[bmbrown]

When I catch a student chewing gum in my class, they are placed on gum patrol. This means that they come to my room in the afternoon before the buses are called to pull gum off of the desks. I give them gloves and paper to show evidence that they have been busy pulling. Usually after doing this once, the message is very clear that I will not tolerate gum chewing in my classroom.

[Unregistered]

I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?

Perhaps you could try this different approach. Begin rewarding students for things like bringing all of their supplies, being on time, "catching them being good" and the like. Use reward coupons which can be redeemed for bathroom use, locker use, and a prize drawing at the end of the report card cycle. Each monday, I give everyone in the classroom a coupon if the entire class behaved well. I call it making good choices. Now, if you catch them chewing gum, or coming to class tardy, or misbehaving in a minor way, that can cost them a reward coupon which they may pay up front or you can write it down to keep track of it. They hurt themselves when they find they want to use a coupon for the drawings or for a special purpose and find they may have less coupons because they are choosing to use them to pay for gum chewing.
Still, when you think of it, gum chewing once or twice is a matter of breaking a small rule. Chewing gum on and on is a matter of disrespect toward authority. That may involve discussions with parent and child, as well as an administrator.
Hope this helps.

[Unregistered]

Chewing gum helps some people stay focused, quenches their thirst too so they don't need water breaks! What's the problem? A lot of kids are restless, stop w/ all the petty rules & punishments for chewing gum??????????????????????
Listen, if a kid is restless, I have no problem providing them w/ a stationary bike too!
Teacher
i think kids should be able to gum in class

[Unregistered]

okay, listen. the only reason gum gets on the carpet, on floors, under desks, etc, IS BECAUSE OF THE RULE NO GUM IN SCHOOL!!! HELLO? WITHOUT THE RULE, NO ONE WOULD HAVE TO HIDE THEIR GUM AND CAN EASILY THROW IT OUT CASUALLY WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT GETTING CAUGHT!!! so b4 blaming US for putting gum in inappropiate places, blame the RULE first! cuz its unfair and the only reason I put gum under desks!

[Unregistered]

yes! it should be allowed

[Unregistered]

When we formed our classroom creed, the students agreed that gum was not allowed in class and if they were caught chewing, they would immediately turn the desk upside down and remove any gum that had adhered to the bottom of the desk. I found this very successful--nobody wants to be a gum picker! (especially in front of their friends).

[A jr. high teacher]

gum should be allowed in school because it gives the students better breath. I can almost tell every single student what they had for lunch that day just by the awful smell of their breath.

[ChrisCooper23]

It may be beneficial if you have specific days where the students are allowed to chew gum, but just in your class. Make them spit it out after class is over. Maybe then they will feel like they don't have anything to "get away with" by chewing gum. It's just a suggestion.

[Unregistered]

A teacher in my school will give student one or two freebies- the third time the student gets a gum detention afterschool. They get gloves, an old fork and a plastic cup. They go around the school and must collect a half a cup of gum from the building before they are allowed to leave. Trust me- they don't try it again.

[Unregistered]

i just want 2 know how gum improves the memory?

[Anne]

What a lot of rubbish.
This is an issue of children deliberately disobeying the rules. It should not be tolerated. Our society is learning that you can break the rules and get away it if you don't like the rules...well hey, maybe I don't like the rule that says I shouldn't steal and just because I don't like it it is ok to break it. It is about time the adults took control. I'm am sick and tired of having to make compromise - if it's a rule, it's a rule so get over it, respect it and follow it!! We make rules for good reason, and if there isn't a good reason we shouldn't make the rule. It is really bad to teach kids that rules are there to be ignorned or broken. How can we expect them to value rules??? It's about time we all grew up. If you think something is important enough to have a rule about it then be prepared to follow through on the rule and enforce it, otherwise don't make the rule in the first place.:mad:

[Anne]

/i think gum should be alowed in school

WHY? I'd love to know your educationally sound reasons for this statement.:mad:

[taylor h]

I think we should be able to chew gum in class. It helps me stay on task and I think it helps other people to. kids will try to hide it that is why it is on every thing.

[Unregistered]

I don't allow my students to chew in class. Howqever, at first a few of my boys disregarded this rule and chewed whenever they wanted. As a punshment I asked them to write a research paper about any topic related to "chewing gum" such as "how Chewing gum is made". They turned in their research papers and stopped chewing in class.

[Anne]

I think we should be able to chew gum in class. It helps me stay on task and I think it helps other people to. kids will try to hide it that is why it is on every thing.

I find exactly the opposite. I am put completely off task by hearing someone chomping away near me, and watching most teenagers chew (mouth open etc) is not going to keep me on task. It makes me feel sick. It's a horrible habit!:mad:

[Unregistered]

Kids should not be allowed to chew gum. It simply goes against the curriculum. Next time someone chews gum use the offense system. 1st offends is a warining, and they spit there gum out. 2nd offense is they spit out gum and call there parents. 3rd offense is spit out gum, no talking at lunch and call parents. 4th offense is everything in the third offense and principal. If you reach 5th, then you just flat out get suspended. Keep a chart on what offense everyone is on. I did this for years and no body even got to the third, because they knew what was coming!

I strongly agree that gum chewing should not be permitted and that the Offense Sytem should be used. However, I think the punishments you desribe are far too lenient and that is why you have students committing 5 or more gum offense. The very first offense should result in detention, a silent lunch or perhaps a short writing assignment (perhaps an aplogy letter or a short essay). The second offense should definately result in a detention or a writing assignment, or both. A third offense should result in several days of detention and a substantial writing assignment such as "I will not chew gum in school" 500 or 1000 times. Each successive offense should result in more detentions and more lines. I doubt you would ever get pst a third offense!

[Unregistered]

I teach social studies. I give them the history of gum along with the map and I have them copy it. Then they have to also apologize and write why they cannot chew gum. It works. Way too long.

[Unregistered]

I think that the idea about making it a game...."If I guess the color, you have to spit it out" is a great idea. I don't think gum is a big deal if not seen or heard, but it's the school's rule where I teach. I am going to try the game tactic tomorrow.

[Unregistered]

I meet and greet the kids at the door every hour, with a paper plate in my hand. Please deposit gum and or chewy candy on this plate. Thank you, I'm trying to save your teeth as well. Works pretty well.= I think kids should be allowed to chew gum it keeps them from talking in class.

[Unregistered]

I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?


I think u need to get hold of their parents and let them no

[Unregistered]

kids should be able to chew gum in school i think it will help increase kids memory and work habitts so people should find proof so kids can chew gum in school:thanks.


this persons right

[Ms.L]

Ok.. personally I enjoy chewing gum in class. I think it helps me concentrate every once in a while. I will say that I allow my kids to chew gum.. I have a rule though. It's a no see no hear.. meaning no blowing bubbles and then popping them. :D :)

[Unregistered]

in our school Hawthorn middle school north if we chew gum we get a detention but I found out that gum chewing is good for your teeth because when you chew it you get seliva and when you get seliva your teeth gets cleaner.

[Unregistered]

Gum can increase memery if you deal with the gum your test grades will go up

[Unregistered]

me as a teacher think that students should be able to have gum because it helps them focus better and my students never talk when i give them gum

[Unregistered]

gums must not be allowed in the class timings

[Unregisteredd]

I have a great solution. When I was in middle school, if a student was caught chewing gum, they were given a poem to write about 3 times and they had to memorize it for the next day to say to the class. Here's the poem (I still remember it after all these years... I guess I must have chewed alot of gum)

The gum chewing student and the cud chewing cow
look quite alike, but they're different somehow.

What is the difference? Oh! I see it now...
It's the intellegent look on the face of the cow.

This never failed to crack us up, (after we figured out it was an
insult to us...) It did help get the idea across.


Hope this helps!

Mia G.

[Unregistered]

We use a discipline ladder at our school. Each time a student is caught w/ gum, you enter it on the discipline ladder, 3 times and it is after school detention. During detention, I give them latex gloves and a gum scraper, and they get to get gum off of the underside of my desks. If you run out of desks for them to scrape, see if another teacher could use some gum scraped.

[Anne]

yes gum should be allowed in class cuse it helps you with your tests and stuff like that. It will also help you consintrate while you are working.

Have you noticed that the threads that support the chewing of gum (because it helps them work and improves test performance etc) are also the ones demonstrating an inablility to punctuate, spell or use correct grammar?! :D :D :D

[Unregistered]

I just got caught chewing gum at my school and now I have a 1,250 word essay! I am like halfway done and I ran out of things to say and I stumbled among this site. And I don't see what the problm is about chewing, as long as there is limits.


Bye Bye

P.S. I will b spending the next hour making up stuff to put on this frickin essay:(

[Unregistered]

I turn it into a game . . . if I can tell the kid what color it is, and I guess correctly, they have to spit it out. If I guess wrong, they get to keep it.
You let them go out and do what ever but confenscate all the gum in the classroom. So if one person gets caught then they all get caught.

[Unregistered]

I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?
Emberass them

[Unregistered]

I just got caught chewing gum at my school and now I have a 1,250 word essay! I am like halfway done and I ran out of things to say and I stumbled among this site. And I don't see what the problm is about chewing, as long as there is limits.


Bye Bye

P.S. I will b spending the next hour making up stuff to put on this frickin essay:(

I belive that it is unfair for your teacher to give you this huge essay and that you should not be angry at yourself for running out of ideas.

P.S. I'm in the same possition exept with a 1000 essay.

[Unregistered]

I have 2 computer labs and the school has a no gum rule. The students still chew gum anyway. The chewing is not the problem- sticking it to the underside of the tables is. Last year a large 8th grader got gum stuck to his pants because someone left their gum under the table. This year they are sticking it to the sides of the computer. I have classes in here every period of the day. I use to make the student come to the labs during lunch or homeroom and clean under the tables. I cannot do that now because I was told that that can conflict with child labor laws. What else do you suggest?

[Unregistered]

im doing a report on this it is so helpful!

[Unregistered]

Even though we are not supposed to chew gum in school, I do. I sneak it and no one even notices it. I feel that it helps me keep more concentrated and focused. I also think, since the school lunch is disguisting, it helps me get through the day without eating anything else.

Gum has also been proven to help you remember things better. Gum is just about my favorite food, and if it wasn't for gum, I don't know what I'd do.

[student]

we should be able to chew when we want and where we want. we paid for it. why can't we chew what we pay for. i think we should be able to cause if we pay for it waht do the teachers care

[Aeddan wheeler]

People love chewing gum I mean it helps them think , cosentrate and gets their mind going. I mean yeah if they get it in their hair and on the flor punish them but I mean my god women you need to loosen up.my point is that let them chew gum and just punish them if they do anything wrong. like if they throw it in someones hair then punish them.

[Unregistered]

I started the year by letting my students chew gum. I now have 5 spots on my floor where the gum did not get to the proper place of disposal. I no longer let the students chew gum. We still give paddlings so if they are caught with gum they get 2 licks the students who can not recieve paddlings have to come and clean the room during P.E. and I teach 5th thru 8th grade.

[Unregistered]

At my middle school, it is up to the teacher whether the students can chew gum. The problem is gum under the desks and tables. One day a student told a fellow teacher that if the students were allowed to chew gum in class, there would be no more gum under the desks. So we let the student chew them gum (without smacking or blowing bubbles) and low and behold, no more gum under the tables and desks!!!

[Unregistered]

have the kids come up with the fix to this problem of the gum.

[Unregistered]

My team "pays" students for work and good behavior in "Big Bucks". They get money for jobs and awards for special things. It is a daily occurance. They get money for behaving in specials like art and music, in the halls, etc. If they are absent, they don't get paid, I've actually seen attendance increase. Some in our school actually have the Bucks tied to everything (example- so much for a quiz, homework assignment, etc.) Anyway, we have an auction at the end of every month with donated items (mostly junk they don't want like old hats and funky pens, but some items are large like unwanted Play Stations, walkie talkies, and DVDs) They can buy them with the fake money. We have two larger auctions with some of the bigger and "nicer" items before Christmas and the last day of school.
They earn "money" for things they do well or correct. We "fine" them for things that they do wrong. In the beginning of the year we actually have them "help" us come up with the list of things for which they can earn money and offenses for which they will owe us money.
The kids keep ledgers, and they get "paid" every Friday. We have auditors or bankers check the ledges and collect the signed paychecks. \
It sounds cumbersome, but once it is explained, the kids virtually run it with teacher oversight. They love the responsibility and it keeps them involved in classroom management.
Hope this helps.

[Ms.L]

Well.. I think that gum chewing should be allowed with rules. Those would be followed every day and if they werent they could just be punished. I would say some good rules are the "No See No Hear" and "No bubbles". Those sound good to me. Thats my opinion. :rolleyes:

[Unregistered]

I agree with the person who stated that the kids/ young adults should come up with the solution to this problem.
All of those who think that it is OK to chew gum and if you alow it, it will be disposed of in the places you don't with to know about, think, what if one student has a disease, does that put a new light on sticky desks, and chairs...
When we were at school, we had to clean all the classroom of gum as a punishment for disposing of gum inappropriately and then come up with essays debating the subject. From the looks of the amount of replies they should have a wonderful lesson in health, debating and rule making..... maybe some lessons in cleaning up after themselves too. ( hay- I am a mom too)!

[Unregistered]

I work at a pretty small rural school and I work under a very strict vice principal who backs the teachers up in most conditions. I ran it by her to put the gum on the tip of their nose and they wear it there until told to take it off. One child wore it to lunch and the older kids laughed and I had NO more problems with that child again with gum, now running his mouth never stopped, with or without the gum.

[Unregistered]

I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?

I am a newer teacher, but I have found that letting them go ahead and chew it has actually stopped them from doing it. When I kept getting after them, they would stick gum everywhere. Now the game isn't as much fun for them to play. I'm not finding that problem anymore. Gum actually helps some kids focus. I think there are much bigger battles to deal with in my opinion.

[Unregistered]

No gum in the classrooms is our district policy. It would be nice if students knew how to throw gum in the trash when they were done but instead they throw on the floor, stick to desks or underneath the chairs. So until ALL students show responsible behavior then no student should be allowed to chew gum and district policy should stay as is.
if they had a chance then maybe they would get up and through away.

[Unregistered]

A friend of mine told me this is what her teacher in middle school did to discourage gum chewing. If the kids were caught chewing gum, they had to spit it out into the teachers "gum jar". They were allowed 2 chances to spit their gum out. The teacher then threatened that if they ever got caught a 3rd time, then the students would have to chew the entire jar. Noone ever wanted to "test" the teacher on this so they didn't even chew gum. (The teacher put her own chewed gum to make the kids think that kids had already been caught chewing gum in class and it made them sick thinking that they could possibly have to chew it all.) I thought this idea was disgusting, but I just have to laugh when I imagine the look on the kids faces when the teacher told them this rule! LOL!

[Unregistered]

If you are consistently having issues with gum chewing, some teachers are allowing it. Ask your students, they will tell you. Some teachers think it's cool to break the school rules because they behave like children themselves.

[Unregistered]

CARPET-what were they thinking? I agree with everything that you said about rules and that once they are set they need to abide-at my school it is a teacher's prerogative-I tell my kids "I like to chew gum" and if I can they should be able too-however I chew it responsibly and discreetly and if they can do that -then it's all good! If they can't maybe they should practice at home! :)

[Unregistered]

I REALLY like chewing GUM! even though i hav BRACES!! oh well...haha :) who eles likes CHEWING GUm...

*wouldnt it be funny if people named there peices of gum**

[Unregistered]

CARPET-what were they thinking? I agree with everything that you said about rules and that once they are set they need to abide-at my school it is a teacher's prerogative-I tell my kids "I like to chew gum" and if I can they should be able too-however I chew it responsibly and discreetly and if they can do that -then it's all good! If they can't maybe they should practice at home! :)
maybe the school doesn't have carpet!!!!! DUH!!!!!!

[Unregistered]

I REALLY like chewing GUM! even though i hav BRACES!! oh well...haha :) who eles likes CHEWING GUm...

*wouldnt it be funny if people named there peices of gum**
no it would be stupid if they did!

[Unregistered]

Is your problem the gum chewing? Or the disposal? Either way, a friend gave me a creative way to take care of both if you'd like to use it this way....

Out of foam board cut a big "globe" looking piece. Also cut another piece that looks like the bottom of a bubblegum machine and paint it...Hang this on the wall near the door.

If you object to the chewing, as you meet them at the door, let them know that's where they can dispose of it. If you don't object but just want to give them a place other than underneath the desk to dispose of it...it works too.

Be prepared tho, until the novelity wears off...you'll have an increase in your gum chewers.

She said she had a teacher eons ago who had a ton of old gum stuck on wall. She couldn't remember if he changed it yearly or just let it built up. I suppose after a while it'd look kinda cool if you didn't think too much about it being "old gum".

[Unregistered]

I agree with the gum chewers. I myself chew gum all the time. (Please don't tell my dentist though.) I don't think I could make a rule that I myself am not willing to follow. My rule is if I see or hear it you loose it.

[Unregistered]

I teach Physical Education, and gum is a major choking hazard that of course the children don't believe. Our school secretary actually attended a middle school basketball game where a student died due to choking. I always give the students a choice-10 push ups or a detention. It is a class rule and a school rule, and therefore an offense punishable by detention. Every college professor will tell you not to assign physical activity as a punishment like running a lap or doing push ups, but when given the choice, 98% of the students will chose push ups.

[Unregistered]

I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?
you can suspend them or dont allow gum chewing in class

[Unregistered]

in our school, gum isnt allowed. yet many teachers chew gum while teaching and walking around in school so therefore i think kids chew gum because when they see teachers doing it, they think its ok. i personally think gum is not a problem as long as there is no bubble popping. since its a school rule, i cant do anything about it

[Unregistered]

i find that kids chew gum BECAUSE we dont want them to. if u go ahead and allow it, they will stop because it will get boring for them.

[Unregistered]

My team has 120 students and the school rule is NO GUM. We keep a log and hold a team detention every Friday. If a student is caught chewing, their name is recorded and they serve a detention on Friday. They are given plastic gloves and scrapers and they clean the underside of all tables and desks. Each team teacher takes a turn keeping the offenders. It REALLY works. We have been doing this for a couple months and the detentions have gone from 8 or 10 students to none or possibly 1 or 2.

[ACE BLACK]

[QUOTE=nickel24]I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?[/QU
the first thing i think that you have to do is to keep them from going outside or if that does not work then you can try to keep them from going to there fun activities

[Unregistered]

I just got caught chewing gum at my school and now I have a 1,250 word essay! I am like halfway done and I ran out of things to say and I stumbled among this site. And I don't see what the problm is about chewing, as long as there is limits.


Bye Bye

P.S. I will b spending the next hour making up stuff to put on this frickin essay:(


A 1,250 word essay for chewing gum?!?!?! What kinda crap school rule does that!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?

[Unregistered]

A 1,250 word essay for chewing gum?!?!?! What kinda crap school rule does that!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?


Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!

[Unregistered]

Personally, I HATE gum! I have never liked it. That's must me. That's not the reason I don't allow gum in class though. At my school, there is a no gum policy. That's the #1 reason I don't allow gum. If I allow students to break that policy then I have no grounds for enforcing other policies. Have any of you ever stepped on gum or had someone put it in your hair? That's the reason our school has adopted this policy.

I agree............................................. .........GUM IS DELICOUS!!!!!!!!!!

[Unregistered]

response
WHat is this person thinking? Yeah gum may quench their thirst, relieve restlessness, or help them to stay more focused....but what about the 270 pieces I have pulled off the carpet, walls, desks, lockers, etc..? I know how many pieces it is because I have actually mounted each piece of this disgusting matter on a small section of my classroom wall "THE WALL OF GREAT SHAME" The middle school kids think it is gross!!! EXACTLTY MY POINT

well ur just a disgusting person

[guitargirl]

Gum is a great thing, everyone loves it.I also found out a 23 year old women chewed gum all the time when she was a kid and now has an awsome memory.Gum gets the mind thinking so kids do so much better on tests.If there was a rule to through gum in the trash when you are done gum in school whould work.

[Unregistered]

I used to be really up-tight over gum...and it does still get on my nerves if I hear the "chawing" or see bubbles. But, really, in the grand scheme of things, gum chewing is such a petty battle to fight. With today's kids, I feel my time and energy can be better spent on more important issues. I like the idea posted earlier about establishing gum rules. Have each child check his/her desk at the beginning of class. If there is gum, the kid who sat there the period before loses gum for a week.

Gosh, this one is so hard. I personally have no problem with gum chewing. I like to chew gum and it can help allay the boredom of sitting. Generally if they chew quietly and keep their gum in their mouths, I'm not even aware of it. I agree with the gum rules and don't find gum stuck to my desks or floors. I believe that originated when gum chewing was not allowed because it was socially unacceptable so kids would stick their gum under their desks so as not to get caught. I feel not allowing gum increases the problem, not the other way around.

However, there are rules and if teachers pick and choose their way through them, that's one reason for the chaos that exists in schools today. I believe we would have better results if we limited the list of school-wide rules to those of respect and safety and allowed teachers to set their own classroom rules for the rest. But it's a school rule and I'm bound to enforce it if I want credibility when I have to enforce one I agree with, like being on time for class.

I also tell them that there's a time and a place for things like gum. I chew it on my way back from lunch to freshen my breath and then ostentatiously place it in the garbage, inviting them to do the same.

Tough question, no easy answers.

[Carol]

I always loved my teachers that let us chew. They would allow it as long as it didn't become a problem--and it never did for those teachers!! ;)

Similarly, I used to allow my 3rd period 7th graders snack at the beginning of class. There were three rules: I don't want to know you are snacking and I don't know that you have snacked and it has to be reasonably healthy. IOW, keep it nondisruptive and clean up your mess. Break the rules, lose the privilege. I only once had a wrapper left. I just pointed to it and said "wrapper!" About five students scrambled to throw it out. They rewarded me by working harder and showing mutual respect because I showed respect for their biological needs and compassion for their very late lunch hour.

[Unregistered]

I have only taught for nine years, but about five years ago, I decided to pick my battles and gum was not one that was worth the time. Prior to that, I believed as it sounds like you do. My students, if given the opportunity, can be "responsible gum chewers". If they choose not to follow the gum rules, they lose the priviledge. They get one warning and then if a second time is necessary, they cannot chew gum for the rest of the quarter. It has worked great for me and I teach 7th and 8th grade students at our middle school. On the positive side, I too can now chew gum if I want to.

[Unregistered]

I meet and greet the kids at the door every hour, with a paper plate in my hand. Please deposit gum and or chewy candy on this plate. Thank you, I'm trying to save your teeth as well. Works pretty well.


I think it is totally a good idea. It is so cute and funny, but it is a rule to follow.

[Unregistered]

I think it is totally a good idea. It is so cute and funny, but it is a rule to follow.




I have a feeling that that idea you came up with won't work so well on middle school or high school students ,but for elementary and pre-school it might. Better luck next time.

[Unregistered]

Gum is a great thing, everyone loves it.I also found out a 23 year old women chewed gum all the time when she was a kid and now has an awsome memory.Gum gets the mind thinking so kids do so much better on tests.If there was a rule to through gum in the trash when you are done gum in school whould work.


Do you think if someone chewed gum almost every day of thier life when they were young that in thier 70's 80's and 90's they'ed be able to recall mre stories?

[D. man]

Gum should be aloud for the first 20 minuts of class.
becuse after the first twenty minets we are allowed
to use the restrooms then we can spit the gum out.



P.S(gum helps pump your brain).

[Unregistered]

i think it's a great idea for kids to chew gum because i am a student researching on ways to chew gum in school and there is so much. we have to write a persuasive and i picked to persuade the principal to let us chew gum and have currently found this site while researching. Chewing gum really does help you concentrate, lose weight, increase memory and even take away stress.

Student in WI

[Unregistered]

I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?


[/QUOTE) make a "gum donation cup" with A.B.C. Gum and when you see a child chewing gum, grab the cup and have him/her to graph it on paper w/o any gloves or anything on hands. then they will be grossed out.

[Unregistered]

i think these kids should be aloud to have gum because if you ask me i dont want any kids in my face with stink breath right after lunch or even in the mornings so i think chewing gum is good just as long as it stays in there mouth

[Unregistered]

I agree with the person that says rules are rules. If the school rule is no gum then it should be so. I found a huge bolus of gum in a computer CD drive in our lab a couple of years ago and no-one did it. Sometimes kids do things out of rebellion and what else can you do? Personally, I don't have time to check books of 175 students everytime they use them. I'm not going to pamper them for what can be an annoying habit anyway. Finally, choose your battles don't the students choose them. You have class rules and society has rules. I if you break a rule there are consequences and kids have to be taught this very fact. Society is not going to bend a rule to suit the mass. The ball is in your court. Be the teacher not the friend.

[Unregistered]

yes u should let kids chew gum!it helps them contertate and it dose stop then from getting water.at out skool if u chew it u geta detention.it is dumb.but hey if they mess up then it is over u gave them a chance but they did not listen!

love chelsea
i go to msms

[Unregistered]

I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?


tell them that they would have to take a big exam test if they get a c or lower they go to detention for the rest of the year.

[Unregistered]

i find that kids chew gum BECAUSE we dont want them to. if u go ahead and allow it, they will stop because it will get boring for them.


above not true it might become second nature for them to do it in there lives which might mess with speech.

[Unregistered]

yes u should let kids chew gum!it helps them contertate and it dose stop then from getting water.at out skool if u chew it u geta detention.it is dumb.but hey if they mess up then it is over u gave them a chance but they did not listen!

love chelsea
i go to msms



TELL THEM STOP CHEWING GUM IN MY CLASS ROOM OR YOU WILL HAVE TO SIT OUTSIDE...??

[Sandi]

Gum should be allowed at any school. The more pressure you put on kids to not chew gum, the more likly they are going to chew it. Lighten up your rules you'll see a huge difference!

come in and clean off all the gum that is stuck on floors, in carpets and under desks by kids who are too lazy to use a trash can. Hence in our school, the no gum policy. The last gum chewer I had had to use a paint scraper and scrape off all the gumm on the floor around her desk and under her desk while the remainder of the class proceeded to continue with the class.

[Unregistered]

Chewing gum helps some people stay focused, quenches their thirst too so they don't need water breaks! What's the problem? A lot of kids are restless, stop w/ all the petty rules & punishments for chewing gum??????????????????????
Listen, if a kid is restless, I have no problem providing them w/ a stationary bike too!
Teacher




>>>>> i agree with this person let them chew because kids like gum what is so wrong with it that we cant have any? our school finally gave in so that we can have gum.....so...my oppinion is to let them have the choice of chewing gum they are just going to do it anyways so what is the point of giving them punishment???!!!!!!!

[Unregistered]

I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?

If you feel gum chewing is a problem, before each student enters the class room have them spit out their gum, this should be done everyday, it will become an every day routine for them.

[Unregistered]

I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?
dont repermand them just wate and eventualy all the people wast there money on gum and then they will realize the=y need to stop buying gum or they will be broke!!!!!!!!!!

[Unregistered]

i agree chewing gum should be allowed, but if it is a school rule, there's nothing you can do. If you catch a child chewing gum, have them pay you a small fee(10-25 cents) then once you accumulate money, buy altoids, or some other minty non-gum candy. Kids are conscious of their breath and will continue to chew if there's no other option, and that might help with the gum. If you posted a sign letting them know that there's a fee for chewing gum, it might discourage the behavior.


The parents would NOT be thrilled with this idea. And what makes you think they'll pay? The parents would be ticked. It's a bad idea.

[Unregistered]

Similarly, I used to allow my 3rd period 7th graders snack at the beginning of class. There were three rules: I don't want to know you are snacking and I don't know that you have snacked and it has to be reasonably healthy. IOW, keep it nondisruptive and clean up your mess. Break the rules, lose the privilege. I only once had a wrapper left. I just pointed to it and said "wrapper!" About five students scrambled to throw it out. They rewarded me by working harder and showing mutual respect because I showed respect for their biological needs and compassion for their very late lunch hour.


This idea is very good. I think you should go with this idea. :) Good job for the great idea!

[Unregistered]

I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?

I select random days and have students walk in with mouths open as they walk by me. Outside the door I have an empty can that they may make a deposit into before entering the room. If they are caught after this chewing gum they must return during a study to do a written assignment on making a bad choice.

[Unregistered]

let your kids chew gum or are you that uptight like ms. Ensley

[Unregistered]

Three strikes and they get a detention. Since we have 30 minutes before the start of school I make them serve it then.

[Unregistered]

Our school has a policy. No gum is allowed on the premises. We do not have the problem. Every teacher adheres to the policy, and it seems to work.

We have a policy in our school, but not every teacher adheres to it, so it doesn't work.

We even have teachers who break the rule and in a faculty meeting right in front of the principal they said, "I am an adult. It doesn't apply to me."

Students have the same "it doesn't apply to me" attitude.

Until we get every teacher on board, it doesn't work.

As far as the reasons for why to teach gum, I don't buy them. Students need to exercise some self restraint. Life is not all about getting what you want when you want it. Part of our job as teachers is to help students deal with problems and learn how to work them out as productive citizens. Something as small as gum chewing is a great place to start.

[Unregistered]

My school has a no gum chewing rule in the handbook, but of course students choose to break it every chance they get. I teach 6th grade, so you can imagine how stubborn students of that age are with rules in general, let alone rules about something as silly as chewing gum. I think that students should be allowed to chew gum, but they must do it responsibly--or else they lose the priviledge. This is the rule at the Middle School where my students will attend in the Fall. If students cannot chew it responsibly and cannot dispose of it appropriately, then no gum. Period. It sounds like this is an issue where teachers and principals are either all for it or all against it. I have to take the middle of the road stance, though, because I think that in some cases a student needs that outlet or stimulation to stay more focused in class. Good luck with deciding where you stand on the gum chewing issue!

[Unregistered]

I think that if somebody decides to chew gum, and its against the rules you should charge them, I know when i was younger our teacher would make us pay a few dollars and no one ever chewed gum in her class after paying a few times....

[Unregistered]

[QUOTE=Unregistered]In my class, all the kids chew gum, which I have no problem with. It's just when they stick it in the pages of the textbook that gum chewing becomes a problem. So what I do, is I sign a numbered book to each desk and after one class I check the book to see if it has gum. If it does than I know who did it and if it dosen't than the kid knows how to keep gum in his mouth.

[Unregistered]

I think it is totally a good idea. It is so cute and funny, but it is a rule to follow.
i think it is a good idea but they can just put another peice in after their in your class.

[Unregistered]

Our school has a policy of no gum, but I have found that if I allow them to chew gum during testing, especially state testing, they really enjoy the change and their focus is on the test. Of course, you are not to disturb others with the gum and they need to get rid of it as they leave my room. If they don't follow the rules, they will not enjoy.

[Unregistered]

In my class, all the kids chew gum, which I have no problem with. It's just when they stick it in the pages of the textbook that gum chewing becomes a problem. So what I do, is I sign a numbered book to each desk and after one class I check the book to see if it has gum. If it does than I know who did it and if it dosen't than the kid knows how to keep gum in his mouth.


You either have a very small class or you miss a lot of teaching time checking books.

[Unregistered]

i agree chewing gum should be allowed, but if it is a school rule, there's nothing you can do. If you catch a child chewing gum, have them pay you a small fee(10-25 cents) then once you accumulate money, buy altoids, or some other minty non-gum candy. Kids are conscious of their breath and will continue to chew if there's no other option, and that might help with the gum. If you posted a sign letting them know that there's a fee for chewing gum, it might discourage the behavior.

Our school division has very strict laws about the collection of money from students. Every penny collect from students must be documented and turned into the bookeeper on a daily basis. To purchase the mints I would then have to submit a pre-approval (Oh I wuld have had to submit a form requesting permission to collect the money in the first place, estimating the amount I thought would be collected and what it would be used for) and then the bookeeper would purchase the items or I would purchase them and then submit more paperwork to be reimbursed. Each school is audited yearly. If these procedures are not followed it is the fastest way for a teacher and principal to be fired.

[Unregistered]

I feel your pain. Children with gum can get it in carpet, chairs, desks, walls, everywhere. Try this 1st time - warning, 2nd time- no break, 3rd time - writing assignment (Report etc.), 4th time-discipline referral for insubordination.

[Ms.Drew]

I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?

I see that same problem in my classes as well. I'm a middle school teacher with 150 students and six periods. In the beginning of the year I allowed them to have snacks and chew gum. Then one of my students got gum **************** on there pants. Now if I see anyone with gum i make them stay after school and remove gums off of all the desks in my room. If I see that same student chewing gum i make them stay after school for a week and go to classroom to classroom taking gum off of their desks as well as going around the school picking up trash and none of my students have had to go around the school picking up trash and going to class to class taking gums off the desks . They say it not worst it. Well I hope this solution works for you.

Best of Luck,
Ms.Drew

[Unregistered]

Any Jr. High School that allows students to chew gum either hasn't yet faced the harsh reality of ruined books, gum all over students' and teachers' clothing, hair, ect.

A couple of incidents like those described here and earlier will turn even the most liberal school into an gum control institution.

Where I teach, it's cultural. Not only do the students chew gum, their parents come to school smacking away. What really kills me is when teachers and other employees are walking around chewing their cud!

I take it personally and I let my students know it. This is my room and depositing objects laden with your bodily fluids in my room will earn you my undying contempt. I allow hard candy, but no gum, and then only as the candy is neat and respectful

At least once a week, plan an activity that the students don't just enjoy, they love! Then routinely banish the students who have shown disrespect. After awhile the other students begin to turn against malfactors.

But let's be realistic. If this filthy habit is as engrained in your school "culture" as it is in ours, we all have to learn to live with it, like the filthy language, the predeliction toward violence and the other nasty habits that come with the age and the national character.

[Unregistered]

I think you should get out of teaching in that environment- You are very judgemental and offensive.

[Unregistered]

I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?

We assign a two page essay on "how gum came to be" with comprehension questions following the information. First offence ( this of course would be after the teacher has informed the class of the gum "essay") students read and answer the questions about gum. Parents need to sign this homework. 2nd offence students copy out the essay verbatim and get their parents to sign it again. Usually when students realize they have to copy the 2 page essay about gum the problem ceases to exist. At the beginning they all think itis a joke until the teacher follows through.
( no 2nd chances are given, the teacher must follow through with the assignment))

[Unregistered]

I think you should get out of teaching in that environment- You are very judgemental and offensive.

"Judgemental" oh, you mean like deciding who should be a teacher and who shouldn't based on an internet chat quote?

[Unregistered]

I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?


Have you ever tried making the students putting the gum on their nose? My daughter came home at the beginning of school laughing her head off at this certain student because the teacher caught the child with gum. She gave the student one warning. The second time she caught him, she instructed the student to take the gum and place it on his nose. My daughter said the student got very embarrased. During the year I asked her if any other students got caught with gum. She told me, "Mom, we wouldn't dare chew in her class".

[Unregistered]

Our school has a policy of no gum, but I have found that if I allow them to chew gum during testing, especially state testing, they really enjoy the change and their focus is on the test. Of course, you are not to disturb others with the gum and they need to get rid of it as they leave my room. If they don't follow the rules, they will not enjoy.


You are teaching students to ignore established rules. Why should a student obey the rules of society when teachers teach them to break the rules? Our jobs as teachers include producing productive, law abiding citizens.

[Unregistered]

I teach ADD and ADHD kids, and I myself am ADD. Therefore, I know that gum chewing helps. I have a sign in paper on my door. If they choose to chew gum, they have to write their name, date, and color of gum. Then if it is left somewhere it should not be, I have some leads to who did it.

[Unregistered]

My rule for chewing gum is,,,"If I see it or hear it, It's gone" This includes seeing it still in package. If I do see it or hear it, it's mine, forever! The kids know this it true because I have had to confiscate entire pacakages of gum and believe me when I say, they do not like it. I have only had to take gum away from a few students over the past 5 years. I simply state my rules for good manners when chewing gum and the consequences for not practicing these manners. I believe the kids respect that it is a priviledge and they are solely responsible for maintaining the priviledge.

Of course, when teaching middle grades kids one can always expect the "knothead" who does not respect rules and thinks he/she is above reproach. I have only had one of these in regard to gum chewing and he spent a afternoon with school janitor cleaning up the cafeteria, picking up trash that students had thrown on the floor and checking under tables for,,,yep,,that's right,,,,,discarded GUM.

[Unregistered]

*I have a piece of white tag board with the word "GUM ART" at the top. The poster is hung over the garbage can that is by the door.
*The students are encouraged to be creative and make something with their gum.
*Examples of ideas - in the fall I draw 3 ovals/circles on the poster board and tell the kids to fill in the face, hair ....
*At the holiday times, they can be decorating a pumpkin, turkey, christmas tree.
*And for the springtime it is flowers and trees. (I provide the stems and the tree trunk).
This way they are usually willing & excited to spit out their gum and I don't have to be a nag and keep reminding them.

[Old Timer]

Every year we start by allowing gum -- If I SEE it or HEAR it, I point to the trashcan; no more gum for that student for that day. If that student argues, EVERYONE in the class has to give up gum for that week.

IF gum is found in any inappropriate place--book, table, chair, floor, drinking fountain, hall, lockers, lunch trays...the entire class has to give up gum for the quarter. One of the first projects for the year cleaning the tables and chairs so that no one gets blamed for "old gum."

I also cannot stand the smell of grape gum, therefore grape gum is not allowed.

Usually I only have to deal with gum offenses three or four times per year--not nearly the nuisance that talking is!!!

[Unregistered]

When I was in middle school, I got caught chewing gum in class. The teacher made me come in at break and scrub gum out of her carpet. It was so disgusting! I never forgot it. It saved her from doing it herself, and taught me a lesson using natural consequences. Just a thought!:)

[barbsd@xsinet.co.za]

A teacher I once knew had a classic answer to the gum situation. She had a bottle on her desk and whenever a child was caught chewing they had to first choose another piece from the bottle and then drop theirs into the bottle for the next illegal gum chewer. Yes of course it is disgusting but there were never any takers and the visual aid worked or terrified them out of the chewing. I can already hear the screams of abuse......scream on dearies

[Unregistered]

Just build a new school and the kids will stop chewing gum

[Unregistered]

Are there really 23 pages of thread on chewing gum? don't you all have something more valuable to discuss. I think you need to pick your battles with these kids, and I can't waste my instruction time on gum. You can't expect these kids to show respect and act like young adults when you treat them like little children.

[Unregistered]

If the student loves gum so much there are two avenues:

Research and write the history of gum making.

During lunch recess, they must chew a 30 stick pack without rest.

Following rules is a real-life learning skill.

If there is not rule, go for it.

[Unregistered]

My fellow middle school teachers and I battled this issue for the past three years. We finally wised up and instead of beating our heads against a wall over and over, we gave in to them - but with stipulations! We used this as a privilege. Every year during our state-wide high stakes teasting, we did allow the students to chew gum (studies have shown that the chewing stimulates brain activity). The students are now allowed to chew gum all year with the following rules (if they are broken, they lose the privilage while the rest of their classmates still being allowed to chew gum): we check the bottoms of the desks weekly, they are to scrape it off with a putty knife in afterschool detention if it is found under their desk, also, it is to stay in their mouth (no popping, bubbles, smacking, etc.), and they have to discard of it properly (in a piece of paper-not spit into the trash can). We have found that when we started allowing the students to chew it, they actually don't chew it as much.

[gmarshburn@bak.rr.com]

Its simple. They can chew, but I don't want to hear it, see it, or smell it. If I do it goes in the round file, and they are the cause of losing the gum, not me.

[Unregistered]

I teach seventh grade math, and we have a few gum chewing rules:
1. No loud chomping
2. I shouldn't see it out of their mouths. (if they're blowing a bubble, or playing with it)

If they break any of these rules, they can't have gum for the rest of the grading period (for our school, a grading period is every six weeks)

Gum chewing isn't that big of a deal. I don't see why it's a big deal, because they have to have something to do while learning.

[Unregistered]

My rule was:
If I can
1. Hear it or
2. See it or
3. Smell it (sometimes the WORST part of gum chewing)
they had to spit it out.
For the most part, they did pretty well.

[Unregistered]

It's a school rule where I teach. I had a student last year that was so bad with gum (Middle School), that I got permission from his parents to have him scrape gum from under the desks during detention. It worked!

[Unregistered]

yep. i tried letting them chew gum in class. I will never know, however, which kid put the gum in the textbook or on the floor as they exited. NO more!! I have a masonry scraper for them to take the gum off of the bottom of the desks, the floors and anywhere else it magically appears.

[Unregistered]

I teach at a school where gum is strictly prohibited. If students get caught chewing gum they have 5 hours of community service (which is cleaning our school). This may seem like harsh punishment, but we do not have gum problems.

[Josie]

My 5th grade Science teacher made us roll our gum in Epsom Salts, then chew it.... NASTY taste!!! :p

[Unregistered]

So until ALL students show responsible behavior then no student should be allowed to chew gum and district policy should stay as is.

What you have done here is remove any chance for the students to show they can be responsible. They can have gum privledges back when they can show they can chew gum responsibly but they are not allowed to chew gum so how can they ever prove this? Catch 22?

Try modeling the appropriate behavior (such as throwing the gum in the trash when they are done) and have them rehearse it.

[Unregistered]

I have allowed my students to chew gum the past 2 years. I have "gum rules" though. If they break the rule, they loose the priviledge. So far, no one has lost it though. It seems to ease tension, figeted kids, thirst, and improve concentration. Give it a try! Main rules: don't chew like a "cow chewing cud", no bubbles/popping, no gum on the floor/under things. If the last occurs restrict class for 2 weeks! They enjoy it too much to break the rule. Lisa

This is what I do too. If anyone chews in an annoying way then I just point and they spit it out . They know.

[Unregistered]

I have two simple rules; if I hear it or see it, then all gum is gone for that period. The students respect me for keeping things simple and appreciate the opportunity. It is all in the expectations one sets forth for the students.

[Unregistered]

At my school, we have these things called Behavior Cards. If they chew gum or anything do that shouldn't be done at school take off points. (Gum is 3 points at my school). If they get down to a certain amout of points, then they get silent lunch, parent notification, office refferal, etc. BUT all this depends on how many points they lose. It works wonders with my middle schoolers. You should really try it!

[Unregistered]

Anne.

You should stop being so hot-headed and listen to someone else's argument for once. Maybe you'll learn something.

By the way, for anyone who wants it, this article is pretty informative on the subject:
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn2039

[Unregistered]

I am having a sticky problem in my classroom: I have kids chewing gum non-stop. I have already tried typical discipline procedures--keeping them after class, during lunch, break and even between classes. And yet nothing seems to work. I need some "creative" solutions for my repeat offenders chewing gum. I have 160 students--so it cannot be too time consuming....can anyone help?

I had my students place the gum on a paper sticky-tacked to the wall when they chewed. It became the 'gum wall' and was absolutely disgusting. The kids thought it was disgusting, too. While there was no 'consequence' at least there was a spot for the gum, a sense of humor involved, and the realization that it's a pain in the arse to keep after them, and get mad at something pretty trivial.

[Unregistered]

I for one beleive that chewing gum is not just because the children feel like it, or do it because it's agaisnt a rule, but that it's almost like a ''necessity'' or an ''instinct'' to chew gum. Back in the 6th grade, I chewed gum WITH braces and in school. My school gives detentions for every child they saw with gum in their mouths, except for in the hallways and at lunch. Unfortunately for us, the detention was to scrape the gum off of the undersides of the desks until they were all spotless. I got caught chewing gum 9 times in 6th grade, but I never ever got a detention. So let the kids chew gum; If they can be responsible enough...and brave enough...

[BLBO]

I homeschool my children and I am getting ready to start handing gum to a couple of them before doing subjects that take a lot of concentration. A couple of my children have oral fixations and I think this will help them focus more. I will post any results.

[Unregistered]

The consensus among many people is that gum chewing helps increase concentration and relieve boredom. Studies have shown that gum assists people in relaxing. Im trying to quit smoking after 10 years and it really does help with my cravings, As far as the students leaving it under tables... that is unacceptable.

[Unregistered]

Our school does not allow gum...if a student is caught chewing gum, whether it is the first offense or not, they are to report to Saturday School..school on Saturday from 8:00 to 11:00....needless to say, we dont have a problem with gun chewing..

[Unregistered]

I had a teacher in middle school and her rule was; no cow chewing, strong smelling, bubbles, talking with a big wad of it, or sticking it anywhere other then the trash can. sounded like good rules for me, and we never had any of these issues in my class. so maybe try a few of these ideas and see how it works out, I think that if it helps the kids focus then let them keep the gum!!!

[Unregistered]

Being a middle school Science teacher with a huge lab I can't tell you how many times I've found gum stuck to the bottoms of the lab tables or swivel chairs. I do believe some kids just need something to chew on to keep them occupied but gum is just not allowed. For my kids I give them a warning. When they come in I check to see if anyone is chewing and I ask them to get rid of the gum before we start class. Usually they do it without any problems. Second time I catch them with the gum I tell them to get up and throw it out but if I catch them a third time they have to come see me after school. I always match the punishment to the crime so for gum chewers they get my "gum jar" and a scraper and have to go around my classroom and maybe other teachers' classrooms as well scraping the gum from under the tables, chairs, etc and putting them in the jar. I keep the jar as a reminder to the class. It works pretty well. Sounds kinda cruel I know but it does work and the kids do understand.
I also let them have cough drops, certs, tic tacs- just no gum or lollipops.