Coach McKinney

United States History Cell Phone Policy

United States History is a course that requires in depth comprehension of content and historical thinking skills.  To gain much of the comprehension needed to be successful, phones can not be a distraction.  During my years of teaching, I have tried several methods to discover the method that improves student performance in United States History.  The methods used in the past have ranged from no phones at all to full access during class.  After much consideration, my cell phone policy in United States History is:

-Students will place their phone in a cell phone holder at the front of the class room as they enter class each day.

-I will use the phones in the cell phone holder to take attendance each day.

-During class students will have an opportunity to earn a "brain break" where they get 5-10 minutes to check their phones and take a breather. Because each class is an hour and a half a break is sometimes what the doctor ordered to increase productivity overall.

-To earn the break that day, 90 percent of the class will have to answer a review question from Coach McKinney correctly.  The review question will be from the discussion in class that day.

-Phones will also be allowed once students finish unit tests or an assignment benefits from the use of the phone.

Teacher Email Address: tymckinney@greenville.k12.sc.us

Teacher Phone Number: 864-355-1840