The June Box

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There are few things I remember from my own Kindergarten experience in the mid 70′s. I remember Mrs. Goff was very nice and smiley. I remember the Yellow Triangle Station where we listened to books on cassette with the humongous earphones.  I remember cutting my bangs myself the day or two before school photos. And I remember The June Box.

The June Box was where toys went if you were caught playing with them at inappropriate times, the idea being that you’d get the toy back in June. You’d better believe that I never, ever brought toys to school for fear that I wouldn’t see them until June. When you’re 5, June is a very, very, very, very loooong time.

There is a part of me that always feels like such a scrooge when I catch kids with toys they aren’t supposed to have or at times they aren’t supposed to have them. But let’s face it, when you’re trying to teach and a kiddo is showing a Legoman to his buddy and then arguing over it, that’s a distraction for everyone. Unwelcome distractions = lost teaching time. I give plenty of opportunity for fun, engaging play-learning, so no toys means no toys.

This year, I recycled the idea of The June Box – with one twist.

It's labeled just like I remember it, except in a Brooks Running Shoe Box.

The twist is if your toy goes into the June Box and you want it back before June, you have to tell Mom or Dad to make an appointment with me before or after school, come in the classroom with them, and THEN AND ONLY THEN can you get the item back before June.

It works like a charm. I have had a grand total of ONE toy in the box this year, and it was retrieved by the owner and his parents, with apologies.

Thank you Mrs. Goff, for a memorable kindergarten year and The June Box!

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