Classroom Management

11/9/15
In my 6th and 7th grade classrooms I use the free website Class Dojo. This site is often used for elementary school kids but my middle school kids seem to really enjoy it. I can give or take points based on their behavior and participation. The students can then cash in points as a reward. The rewards vary, from 5 points for a piece of gum, to 20 points for a homework pass. Students can cash in points when ever they want. Students can also save their points and cash in for a whole class reward. These rewards vary from 80 points for 10 minutes of heads-up, seven-up, to 700 points for a sundae party. I believe it is very important to give students opportunities to make choices in the classroom. It not only allows students to feel a certain responsibility for their actions, but it also teaches them some life long skills, such as setting goals, saving money (points) for something they really want, and working as a team to meet a goal.

In order to carry out the giving and taking away of points, I have printed out smiley faces and sad faces to hand out during class when needed. The smiley face means they get a point, the sad face means they get a point taken away. Using these simple devices allows me to correct a behavior without interrupting class.

If the taking away of points is not effective in changing a behavior, I will be forced to give the student a write up. If the behavior continues to not change, I am forced to send them to the office for the principal to deal with. I hate doing this, but sometimes it is a must. 

6/22/15
In my pre-k classroom we use a behavior chart as well as stickers in order to promote good behavior and cut down on the bad behavior. Every student begins on green (good day) then can move either up or down based on the students choices throughout the day. They can move up to blue (great day), purple (outstanding day) or off the chart (beyond outstanding!). This allows students to set and reach goals as well as encourage and reward good behavior and choices. The students can also move down the chart when bad choices are made. If the student is on green, and they make a bad choice, then he or she will move down to yellow (warning), then orange (time out for 2 minutes), then finally red (time out for 4 minutes and talk to parents).

Using the behavior chart allows students to better understand that both good and bad choices have consequences. 

Here is my behavior chart.

Once students are off the chart, I give them stickers when they make a good choice. They then collect 10 and get in the treasure box. Depending on what color the student is on, sometimes I will allow them to chose whether they would like a sticker or move their clip up. I think it is very important for students to have choices in the classroom in order for them to feel like their opinions matter as well as  it gives them a sense of ownership.

Here's my sticker chart. 

For management of noise level I have recently started using a noise level chart. There are 5 levels; level 1 being the quietest (no talking), level 2, talk to a partner (which they love), level 3 is normal talking voice, level 4, voice is loud enough to hear from across the room, and finally level 5 is using outside voices reserved for the gym, gymnastics room and outside. 

In our pre-k class we also have jobs that students can choose each morning. This gives them something to look forward to as well as makes drop offs much easier for the little guys. Like I said before, I think having choices in the classroom is very important in order for students to take ownership in the classroom. When they can choose their jobs, students feel like they are needed and important in the classroom community. This makes learning easier and makes school more fun! 

Here is our job chart.