Mastering the Middle School Locker Blues
How-to Open a Combination Lock on the First Day of School
Aug 18, 2009
The first day of middle school is exciting and a little scary all at the same time. One of the many challenges middle school students face is opening the combination lock on the school locker. Students usually have a main locker where store books and papers are stored as well as a PE basket or locker. The combination lock is easily mastered by taking a little time before the first day of school to practice.
Before the First Day of School
Check with the middle school to find out if students bring locks from home or rent locks from the school. Sometimes, the locks are built into the main locker door and the student rents or brings a lock from home for the PE basket.
The student handbook usually spells out the school’s requirements about locks. Many schools post the handbook on the school’s website. Check the table of contents for information about lockers. School offices are generally open three or four weeks before school starts, so call to ask about the lock situation at the school if the handbook does not have the information.
Combination Lock Sequence
Generally, the lock combination is a series of three or four digits. The dial on the lock is rotated either clockwise to the right or counterclockwise to the left stopping at the first numeral in the combination sequence. The dial is rotated a specified number of times to the next digit in the sequence and continues alternating through the sequence. The combination will specify how many spins to the right or left to make before stopping at the next numeral.
Practice With a Combination Lock at Home
Most lock faces look like an analog clock face, making the clockwise and counterclockwise directions obvious. Many homes have digital clocks and children often wear digital wrist watches, so a brief reminder of how the analog face works may be helpful. Make-up some lock combination sequences and practice with a dial drawn on paper or better yet practice with a real combination lock.
Steps in Opening a Combination Lock
There are three critical steps for opening a combination lock.
- Step 1: Clear the lock by rotating the dial at least three times.
- Step 2: After clearing, start at zero and follow the combination directions for rotating the dial and stopping at specific numbers
- Step 3: It is important to rotate the dial the number of time specified in the combination and to stop exactly at the number listed in the combination. Precision is essential.
The Combination Lock Rap
Recalling a sequence of things is sometimes easier when the list is spelled out in a chant or rap. Here is an example:
The Combination Lock Rap
The combination lock is not a stumbling block
It is the way to get to that athletic sock!
First things first, and clear that dial
Remember, this is not a trial.
The combination lock is not a stumbling block
It is the way to get to that athletic sock!
Take heart, zero is the place to start.
Don’t fall apart, this is the good part.
The combination lock is not a stumbling block
It is the way to get to that athletic sock!
A word of advice, be precise
The combination is the admission price.
The combination lock is not a stumbling block
It is the way to get to that athletic sock!
Middle school students can create a personal Combination Lock Rap. Creating a rap is fun and the process helps the brain recall the steps.
Practice Opening Lock at Home
The locks on school lockers are generally flat against the locker door, so find a cabinet or dresser with open loop handles and practice opening the lock against the flat surface.
Practice under timed conditions. Some students don’t deal well with pressure and the first day of school can feel stressful. Practice at home until the middle school student can easily open the lock in 30 seconds. With this level of confidence, the student should be able to open the lock at school, even with first day jitters.
After the Combination Lock is Open
Once the combination lock is open, the last step is to open the locker door with the handle. Some students are so relieved to have mastered the combination lock, opening the locker door is forgotten. Practice opening the locker door once the combination lock pops open. Some handles slide up and down and some turn.
First Day of School
Most middle schools have a plan in place to help first time students with the lockers. Adults from the school are in the hallways to help students find classrooms as well as helping solve locker and combination lock issues. On the first day, the middle school student should try to open the locker at least two times independently. If the locker does not open, then ask another student or an adult for help. Mastering the combination lock happens quickly for middle school students and the middle school locker blues will be a thing of the past.
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