Order in the Classroom
Posted by Debra Liverman on 02 Sep 2008 | Posted in: Classroom Management, Holiday and Seasonal
I remember a coworker attempting to give me some helpful classroom management advice before I stepped in front of my first class. She said, “Don’t smile until Thanksgiving!” Of course, I did not take her advice literally, but it did send me the message that I should plan each day with structure, follow a set classroom routine, and put an effective positive-discipline policy in place. I pulled a few classroom management ideas together to help you do just that. I hope these ideas from The MAILBOX editors help you get this new school year off to a smooth start!
Stamps of Approval
Use an individualized progress card to motivate each student to work on a specific area of improvement while reinforcing her strengths. Meet with each student to discuss both strong points and areas that need to be improved. Write a goal for each student on an index card that she can keep at his desk. At the end of each day, stamp the card with a motivational stamp if progress has been made toward the goal. After a predetermined number of stamps, reward the student with a special treat or privilege.
Behavior Puzzle
Use a cardboard puzzle to piece together a reward for good behavior! Select a puzzle with an age-appropriate picture and a minimal number of pieces (12-15). Then, on the back of each puzzle piece, write a class reward (popcorn party, free center time, etc.) and attach a small piece of magnetic tape. Store the pieces in a basket on your desk. Each time the class displays positive behavior, place one puzzle piece on a designated area of the board. When all of the pieces have been assembled, randomly turn over one piece to reveal the reward the class earned. Afterward, return the pieces to the basket and start all over again!
Quiet As a Mouse
Encourage students to work quietly with this soft and fuzzy incentive. Collect a supply of small stuffed animals, or invite students to bring them from home. When it’s time for students to work quietly at their desks, allow each child to place one of these silent, stuffed friends on his desktop. The stuffed animal may stay on the desk as long as the student remains quiet and on task. When the assignment is complete, the student returns the animal to the shelf until needed again.
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24 Responses to “Order in the Classroom”
More Comments Pages: « 1 [2] Show All Comments
More Comments Pages: « 1 [2] Show All Comments
I am using an “On Track to Good Behavior” race track bulletin board to help my Kindergarten children be more aware of their individual behavior. I promised them a reward at the end of the week if they have stayed on track for 4 of 5 days. I could use some suggestions of free or inexpensive rewards. I think a variety of ideas will keep them more motivated. I like the popcorn party idea!!
Smellies! My kids LOVE getting a reward for their good behavior (working quietly, following directions, etc.). I buy cheap chapstick at the dollar stores and Walmart and use it like a sticker. If the chapstick smells good, like chocolate or bubble gum, you call it a Smelly. Rub a little on the back of their hands when they are doing a good job, and let them know they should use their sense of smell to figure out how great it is. With the little ones you will have to warn about germs and licking.
My K kids look forward to earning Smellies, and when I get a new one, I tell them I have something special for when they are good and it keeps them working well the entire day!
The puzzle idea sounds great! For my 3 year old preschoolers I would use this idea for ONE class goal at a time. Such as: if my class was terrible at ‘clean up time’. I would add a puzzle piece each time every child helped to clean up! When that goal was accomplished I would think of a new goal that the class needed to do … maybe quietly walking down the hall and then move onto staying in line! The Quiet As a Mouse idea in preschool could be used during Circle Time. I would get a mouse stuffed animal or finger puppet and while I was holding it I would be the only person who could talk. If someone else wanted to talk they would need to raise their hand to have the mouse passed to them. I would probably take the mouse with me while the children were walking down the hallways and hold it up so they could see it to remind them to be quiet!
Love the puzzle idea! I do something similar in my Kindergarten classroom. Our class goal is to fill a jar with popcorn kernels to earn a popcorn party! When the entire class is working quietly or cleaned up materials nicely, I will put a small scoop of popcorn in the jar. I plan on trying the puzzle idea next! It will be something new and different!!
I am also intrigued by the Quiet as a Mouse idea! It may be worth a try!
In regards to stamping folders daily, it can be time consuming especially toward the end of the day. My suggestion is to tell parents from the beginning, no news is good news! However, my kiddos that do not have behavior problems are rewarded in the classroom daily so they will continue their behavior.
I keep trying different ideas. What works with one group or one grade level might not work with another.
With children who are behavior problems or who are not good about doing their work, I send home notes daily.
The parents involved have been terrific in checking the notes and know to look for them every afternoon.
I designed a simple checklist with a space for the name and the date. Also I include a spot for a parent’s signature. One one side, I’d rate work- worked hard, worked ok, did not work well. On the other side- I similarly rate behavior.
With the Munchkins you can use variations of smiley faces.
On the bottom, I leave lines for comments that either I would fill out or the parent would, only if desired.
The child fills in the name and date and it is his/her responsibility to bring it to me toward the end of the day. I fill in two x’s appropriately rating how the day went for that particular kid.
Then I sign my initials. That was it! Takes seconds! Often I ask the kid to rate himself. We usually agree!
The next day, the child leaves the note on my desk signed or I assign another student to collect them.
Much to my delight, not only was this system very successful but the kids who did not need the extra parental supervision were coming up to me and begging to have me send home forms for them as well! They loved it!
So some years I have done it for just about the entire class, due to popular demand! Even with the hecticness that occurs at the end of the day, it took me very little time and effort.
I love it. The parents are content. The kids are thrilled to be recognized when they do put forth a good effort.
Try it! ;o)
I have a small laminated sign posted next to all the areas that I teach. When students begin to get off task I simply refer to the posted, quickly go back over the rules for good listening, and go on with my lesson. This especially works with the 1 or 2 who need extra reminding, I just call their name quietly and point to the rule they are breaking and go on with my lesson. It takes just 10 seconds or less, but has really helped me so much!
I love the puzzle idea. I have also seen this done where students have to earn letters, when they have all the letters to spell out something, like “popcorn party” then they get that reward.
well i like the mailbox magazine. i applied for the mailbox issue for the first time and getting my first issue soon. very excited about reading the mailbox magazine.
What about in the preschool room, especially for those students who this is there first school experience? The puzzle idea might work, but we do not have desks for the quiet as a mouse.
Any ideas?
I always stamp each child’s behavior report as they enter the room in the morning. Every child starts out the day with a happy face, then at the end of the day I put a large “X” on the happy and place a straight or sad face on the few student’s reports who earned them. This takes up less time. It also gives you a chance in the morning to smile and greet each little face as they walk through your door.
They all sound great! I really like the puzzle idea, but am intrigued to try the quiet as a mouse idea as well.
Thanks!
Great ideas! Do you find the amount of time it takes to stamp every student to be too much right at the end of the day?
I really like that puzzle piece idea. Visual aid for helping students visualize their behavior and goals as a class- golden!
Keep up the great work!
D. Barkett
Awesome ideas, I love the behavior puzzle!