We have extremely high expectations, not only in academics, but in behavior as well. We am very firm and consistent in our classroom management, but carry it out in a fair and caring manner. We will work together to establish classroom rules so they feel ownership in the classroom.
Strategies used for positive behavior:
Marble Party: This is a great way to incorporate math into classroom
management. Since counting by 10's to 100 is part of our math, our marble
party chart is set up to support this. When the class is doing a great
job, they will earn a marble. We keep track of how many marbles are earned
on our marble chart. Every 20 marbles earns the class free time. 50
marbles earns the class a reward to be decided on by the students. 100
marbles earns the class a 'Marble Party'.
Incentive charts: We like to start the morning by greeting each student outside the classroom. While doing this, we check to see if students have their 'Take Home' folder with them. This take home folder is designed to go home every afternoon and come back to school every morning. This folder is used to transport materials from me to parents, and vice versa. If students have their folder in the morning, they get a sticker on their chart. When the chart is full, they get free time. On some days we will be checking for more than just the folder (homework, signed papers, etc.). This is a very helpful tool in teaching students to be responsible.
Table Points: Weekly table points are given out when groups of students are following directions well. At the end of the week, the winning table will get to choose from the prize box.
Consequences for not making good choices:
In our classroom we use a color card system. This serves as a reminder to make
good choices. The colors of the cards and the meanings are as follows:
Green - Yippee! Your child had a great day and remembered to make good choices!
Yellow - After one verbal reminder, if poor choices continue to be made, your child will be asked to change his/her card to yellow. If their behavior does not change and they do not earn their card back to green, they will lose recess the following day.
Red - The day consisted of several poor choices, which means your child will be missing part of his/her recess and we will be calling home or writing a note to discuss what happened.
Of course there are exceptions to every rule and your child may have been asked to change his/her card without warning, due to something that we felt warranted an immediate consequence.
Our class uses this program so that on a daily basis we will be able to communicate what is happening behaviorally in the classroom. At the end of the day, your child will receive a color card to match where their clip is located. We ask that you initial it and have your child return it the next day. If your child does not return it, another will be sent home the next day. If after two times it does not come back, we will have your child miss 5 minutes of morning recess. I will have a tub that students can put their cards in every morning. At the end of the week I will pick out green cards from the tub. These students will win prizes. Working as a team, it is helpful to us if you reinforce what happened that day in the classroom by celebrating your child's success or asking a question if there was a concern.
Good behavior is expected both inside and outside of the classroom.
Thank you in advance for your support and help in making this a great school year!