I let mine use portable CD's in the classroom. It DOES keep down a lot of
the noise.
My students are also allowed to have drinks and snacks in my room. These
are intermediate and advanced students and most are juniors and seniors.
None of this bothers me as long as the students stay on task. >>
I also allow portable CD's, and find grades 6-8 are fine with them. I DO NOT
ALLOW food, drink of any kind because of the use of glazes in my room. It is
just safe procedure not to allow any food where there is use of glazes.