T-T-Teach Me How to Dojo

Okay, I'll say it...sometimes my blog titles make me giggle. I'm not sure any of you get a chuckle but I do. That one is a play on Teach Me How to Dougie...oh....the giggles.

Back to business ::puts on teacher face::

I go back to school in 8 days. Well officially back because I've been going in periodically anyway. But I'm back "on the clock" next Tuesday morning with meetings and what not.

This year my co-teacher and I want to do a new behavior management plan. The things I look for in a good behavior plan are

• Consistency
• Ease of use
• Ease of understanding (for kiddos and parents)
• Clearly defined
• Works for me-works for that particular class
• Practical
• Inexpensive!
• Unobtrusive (doesn't take away from classroom decor, teaching, learning, space, instructional time)

When I first started teaching I used good 'ol card flips. It's what my mentor teacher used during student teaching, it's what I saw work (very well). It was easy. I used it for a few years then I was itching for something new. I was introduced to the clip chart. I love it. I created several versions, it was super cute, had room for positives and negatives and gave an overall view of the day. I read many blogs about it and I found some articles. 

Well, I'm still happy with the clip chart. I like that the kindergarten teachers used it so they are already acclimated to it and adjust quickly to my personal variations. HOWEVER, I've been using it for a few years and I WANT A CHANGE. lol Sometimes you change adapt for the kiddos and sometimes you have to make it fresh for yourself. I mean you're the one stuck in {first grade} every year.

Last summer I was introduced to Class Dojo. It's an online behavior management system. You assign each kid an avatar. Then the kids can earn or lose points based onto choices that they make throughout the day. The neat thing is that you get to customize the categories to meet the needs of your specific group of kids and you get to set their point value. 

So if sharing happens to be a big problem in your room you can make it worth more points and that will help to encourage the kiddos to share. I'm still working on my categories and point values. I'm struggling with the part of knowing about how many points I expect them to earn daily so I've had to accept that I'l need to use it for a few weeks and tweak it. 

I've created some things to help make this transition go smoothly for me. I'm going to write their names on varied avatars and when they move to a new reward level I'm going to move their avatar along the way. This will be a cute visual for me. 

customize your point levels and rewards 

use mine or use them to help give you some ideas

I've also created some recording sheets to send home to the parents. Starting off I am not going to invite the parents. I just don't want midday emails asking why Susie lost 1pt for a bathroom break. I'm going to have them color how many points they have. I am still thinking of consequences or what to do if they are in the negative. Ideas?

class dojo will produce reports for this data but I wanted an easy to use recording page
click here or the image to get it for FREE on TpT

Oh and one of my favorite things is that you can use this on a standard PC, cell phone, or tablet. This way I can take my phone or iPad into the hallway, cafeteria, field trips, etc and effectively reinforce behavior. I can also give a code to specials teachers if they would like to use it when they have my kiddos. :D 



different point levels for their avatars to go through

write kiddo names on the blanks

Classroom Management Facelift

The countdown is on people! Two weeks! Oh my goodness. Where has the summer gone? Usually by now I'm getting a little bored or antsy and even though I'm not looking forward to alarms I'm looking forward to routine, structure, and all that jazz. Yeah, I still have the anticipation of a new class (and some siblings from awesome families I've had the pleasure of working with before!!!--love when that happens) but I've been so stinkin' busy (with fun and just life) that I'm not ready!!

Well, ready or not here it comes.

Something I saw on Pinterest quite a bit and then I read more about what "Behavior Bingo". You can really title it whatever you choose. I used to do a marble jar and after all the marbles were earned (marbles were earned and lost at my discretion, for perfect attendance, hallway compliments, and following directions) The marble jar has been fun. Truthfully I'm a little burnt out on it though. Also it's most effective at the very beginning of the year or when we only need 10 more marbles. When the jar has about 100 left in it it's hard to emphasize the importance of having a quiet restroom break to earn some marbles.

I decided to make my own "Behavior Bingo" board. I uploaded it to VistaPrint and had them print it for me. It was $5 for the basic small poster but I wanted a sturdier paper so it was $7 plus shipping. I laminated it today and I'm excited to try something new!!!

I've decided that the kiddos can earn a number (I typed up a 120s chart and cut out the numbers and put them in a bucket) for having perfect attendance, receiving compliments from me or in the hallway from other adults, having the whole class return their homework completed and on time with their name on it, and teacher's choice because I have no idea what else I'll want to reward them for. :D

I had to adjust it a bit on VistaPrint but I like how it turned out. If you'd like to get your freebie template (don't worry, I removed my name) click here. They are images and I have saved them in two formats. See what works best for you.

You'll get (click images to enlarge)

basic board

and

numbers to draw and the incentives I'm using for now

This will be my 8th year teaching and my 7th year in first grade. Every once in a while I like to change things up. I do this for the kiddos but also for myself. A few years ago I went from my "Card Flip" management system to a "Clip Chart" management system.

I like my clip chart system. It helps me praise good choices and address poor choices. I'm sure most of you know how it works so I won't even go through that. I have made two clip charts since I've started this system. I revamped it just because I wanted it to be pretty. Here's my clip chart:

One more thing I'm adding to my plate...the Homework Club. Do you have a Homework Club? Basically each child is in the Homework Club every day UNTIL they forget their homework or return an incomplete assignment. Then they move their number to the other chart. Good news is they'll get another chance when the new month starts. Kiddos that stay in the Homework Club the entire month will get to have lunch with me in the classroom. I might change up the incentives but this was something quick and easy (and free!) that they'd enjoy and I like it too.

I got the number from my local teacher store. They're actually cute calendar numbers. I think I may need to find smaller numbers though, lol. The pink and green 'boards' are pizza pans from Walmart that were less than $1. I spray painted them and added some ribbon and labels and voila. This is my first year to do this so I'll let you know how it goes!!

What time is it? Linky Time!

I'm linking up with The Applicious Teacher

click here to check out more ideas or to link up

and Just Reed

click here to go to the linky

Let's talk about behavior management!

Whole Class
Marble jar!
I have a marble jar system in my classroom. I can give or take marbles for any reason! I give them for perfect attendance, everyone having their homework (with their names on it), good hallway choices, overall good behavior, compliments, etc. I can take them out for not doing the above things, too.

I live 30 minutes from school and didn't want to make that journey just for a marble jar pictures. So, I searched Pinterest. My jars look different but here' the gist. Once they earn all of 'their' marbles we have a "Marble Party" which can be anything from pajama day to playing with play dough. Really whatever you have time to implement and encourages your kiddos to do their personal best.

Source

Individual
I'm sure you all know--and may be tired of hearing about--the use of my clip chart in my classroom.

to get this clip chart (or rainbow variation) source

On day one I explain my expectations and procedures. I don't have a tangible set of rules though. We model good and bad choices. Those first few days/weeks are really about setting the framework for the rest of the year.

I start it very early in the year. It's always rough to have that first kid clip down but it has to be done. So, I really try to focus on good choices and clipping up the first few days of school .

As the year goes on I really try to make it difficult or something special to clip up. We start every day on 'Ready to Learn' and this is my expectation--so moving up means you were above and beyond expectation...not just following directions. Again, I like this because it's an overall average of the day's behavior not just the lowest low like when I did card flips. I mean, card flips are supposed to deter bad behavior...so if they're working and a kiddo changes their behavior that should be reflected in the management plan, right?

At the end of the day the kids fill out their chart so mom & dad can see how their day went. (This chart evolved through the year) Here are three different versions:

 I start off with this one because it mirrors the clip chart and gets the parents familiar with it. I print it in b&w so we have to do a mini-lesson on where to color because most first graders cannot read it in August. My co-teacher numbered her recording page and clip chart to make it easier for the kids.

This is the first version--and the one included in my TpT bundle

I made this one when I had parents asking why their child clipped down because their child 'forgot'. (okay--sometimes the forgot was legit because I couldn't always remember either)

I ended up moving to this recording page because the parents were familiar with the color code and my expectations. I also like that it was a pictorial overview of the month. Maybe we could trend positive and negative behavior. So, if every Monday is yellow or orange maybe something is happening on the weekends or transitioning back to school on Mondays is difficult and we need to discuss this. 

If a kiddo makes it to the top of my clip chart (wow, btw) they get a jewel on their clip and get a Dum-Dum from my Dum-Dum plant.

I always tell them that it might have been easy (even if it's not) to get to the top---not the tough part is to stay there!

After 5 jewels I glitter their clip:

This coming school year I'll glitter it and retire it. (Here's one of the retired pages in my new set of clip chart stuff)

I do not do other prizes or rewards. They get a kick out of the jewels. I do enforce consequences for being on orange or red. This is usually time off recess but varies. (It would also vary depending on your school corp--I know some school cannot take their recess time away and need to have other consequences)


Extra
There are always those weeks/days before a break that can be crahazy! I'll continue to use my clip chart but I also bring out my PB board. (PB is Personal Best) The kids will use their classroom number and sign a square on the coordinate grid (math integration!). At the end of the week if it's full I pull out a popsicle stick with coordinates on it and they get a trip to the prize box or candy jar. I only do the drawing if it gets full--also if it fills up the kids can double up.

{source: My mentor teacher}

I have some other handwriting, spelling test, and attention grabber ideas but I'll save those for another post.

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Behavior Clip Chart Revamped

For the last two years I've used a clip chart in my classroom. Before that I used card flips. I liked card flips but found that they focused too much on bad choices....so when a student had a rough morning  and when they went home and showed their parents my recording page it looked like that had a bad day. (I still keep my card flip chart, recording pages, and cards for when I need to make a change or 'crack the whip')

I liked the clip chart because it gave me an opportunity to focus on good choices as well. I did this verbally but this was a good visual for the kids. It also let the kids turn their behavior/attitude around. I feel that when the parents see my new recording pages they get an overall view of the whole day.

Here is my original clip chart:
(it was on my summer bucket list to revamp)

I really like it--but it needs a make-over. I'm going to chalk it up to my first attempts and when I first got started creating more classroom things.

Right now I don't have a good color printer (on my summer to buy wish-list-----side question: do you prefer laser or ink jet and why?)

Here are some choices that I'll have when it's time to print and laminate and put this bad boy together!

click here

click here

click here

click here

No, I don't have a Pirate room but one of my work-besties does so I revamped what I made her. 

You can find them all here in a bundle with my Classroom Management Resources.  Where you'll see different types of Management Resources. If you've already purchased this item then please go and re-download to get the updates.

Original blog post here

OR
If you know the clip chart is for you and you don't want to see other Management Resources click here to get only the clip chart images. (They are a bundled set--not sold individually) I will be giving away one set of the new bundle to the first comment with an email!

Is there a theme that you have in your classroom that you're just dying to see a clip chart to match?

Behavior Management Linky!

I can't turn down a good linky party! (Even if I'm fashionably late sometimes.)

Based on my teaching experiences and the multitude of classroom exposure I received during college and post graduation (a lot of subbing and long-term leaves) I have been fortunate to see so many classroom management plans in action. It is one thing to read it online but I was lucky enough to see them in action. I used card flips up until last year. It was effective but after having a very challenging year with 27 firsties I wanted something new. (I really feel like I had to say "Flip Your Card" a lot to that group)

I found a few choices online and I really liked the clip chart. It had consequences and the physical act of moving a clip down gave a visual and kinesthetic reminder. It also focused on good behaviors, too. I used it last year, with an awesome class, and it was great. I'm doing it this year and so far so good but I can see how this wouldn't work with every class.

My Clip Chart

When kiddos make it to the top of my clip chart, "Role Model",  they get a little jewel on their clip...which they love. This year they also get to go to my DumDum plant and get a sucker.

My DumDum plant

 

To check out my packet on TpT and the great feed back I received click here

Well, when I was blog hopping I found not only this awesome linky but I read the lastest post from Mrs. Stanford and she just happened to be blogging about this very topic. Awesome! She blogged about something new (to me) called ClassDojo. She did a great video on it and that video explains it better than I can. However, I might use it to record where the kiddos end up on my clip chart. This way I can print reports and track behavior patterns. You can edit the categories and reward or subtract points. (How cool would this be on your SmartBoard?!)

 

My edited categories on Dojo

I'm always looking for new ideas and systems. Link up an share your ideas!

Pirate Choices for my Clip Chart

Happy Sunday. I'll try to keep this brief and sweet for Sunday afternoon.

I've updated my Classroom Management Resources packet again. I've added even more font choices for the  words for the clip chart, one set with a designed background, and two PIRATE SETS!!!! One of the teachers at my school decided to do a Pirate them (and it's adorable) so I created these choices for her and I thought I'd add them to my packet.

The clip chart system is only one option of classroom management in the packet. I've been learning about more and more management systems and as I try them out I'll add them to the packet.

Click here to get the updated packet. 

I know the yellow wording looks odd, but it prints fine. It was just weird in preview mode. 

If you've purchased my packet and have a theme suggestion please leave me a message and I'll try to make a set with that theme in mind. 

Classroom Management

I am currently in my fifth year of teaching. I had an excellent student teaching experience with a teacher that was awesome. She taught me so much more than I anticipated and more than the 3 1/2 years of college before student teaching ever did. She was not only a great teacher but a fair, fun, and consistent disciplinarian. I feel that I took a lot away from student teaching...I guess that's why it's such an important part of the Education program in college.
After college I found it difficult to find a full-time teaching position. So, for the first year out of college I did medical leaves, maternity leaves, and subbing in general. 

Anywho.


Based on my teaching experiences and the multitude of classroom exposure I received during college and post graduation I have been fortunate to see so many classroom management plans in action. It is one thing to read it online but I was lucky enough to see them in action. I have composed a packet of some of the things I have used in my classroom.
Here is what you'll get:

Page    3-5    Card flip instructions & Photos
Page    6-7    Weekly Card Flip Student Recording Pages
Page    8       Card Flip Parent Contact Letter
Page    9-10    Teacher Recording Page for Weekly Card Flips
Page    11-12    Individual Student Discipline Plan
Page    13-28    Clip Chart Resources & Photos
Page    29         Missing Homework Note Home
Page    30-31    Smarty Pants Incentive
Page    32-33    Personal Best Board
Page    34        Credits

 You'll find teacher recording pages and parent contact pages as well.

**Be my first commenter and choose something from my TpT to receive for free!**

I currently use a clip chart in my classroom and I absolutely love it. I have used all of the things in the packet and they have worked for different classes/students.

Each day I have the students record where their clip ends up and my recording system has evolved to fit my classroom needs since the school year began. I've included the different recording forms in the packet. Here's a preview of my clip chart and the front of my daily student recording page:

Page	3-5	Card flip instructions & Photos
Page	6-7	Weekly Card Flip Student Recording Pages
Page	8	Card Flip Parent Contact Letter
Page	9-10	Teacher Recording Page for Weekly Card Flips
Page	11-12	Individual Student Discipline Plan
Page	13-28	Clip Chart Resources & Photos
Page	29	Missing Homework Note Home
Page	30-31	Smarty Pants Incentive
Page	32-33	Personal Best Board
Page	34	Credits

Page	3-5	Card flip instructions & Photos
Page	6-7	Weekly Card Flip Student Recording Pages
Page	8	Card Flip Parent Contact Letter
Page	9-10	Teacher Recording Page for Weekly Card Flips
Page	11-12	Individual Student Discipline Plan
Page	13-28	Clip Chart Resources & Photos
Page	29	Missing Homework Note Home
Page	30-31	Smarty Pants Incentive
Page	32-33	Personal Best Board
Page	34	Credits