Classroom Catalog of Good Behavior

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Hi y'all!

      I've had several people ask me about my classroom management system so I'm here today to explain what I do. :)

      I know so many of you use the clip chart, but for me, I don't think I could keep up with it.  I love the idea of the clip chart and maybe one day, but for now, I'm sticking with what works for me!  Kudos to all of you that can keep up with it, but man, it's enough to keep up with just this!

      So, I have this wooden clip stand.  The best pic I can find on this computer is this one...and it's from 3 years ago!!!

       At the top is a green circle, in the middle is a yellow circle, and at the bottom is a red circle.  As you can see, the red is at the bottom and you can't see the green at the top.  Sorry...that's the best I could do...

                          

      All the clips are clipped to the green at the start of each day.  If they have an infraction, they move down a level to yellow.  If they have another infraction, they move to red.

      At any time, they may work themselves back up a level.  Each level is represented by a number.

Green = 5

Yellow = 4

Red = 3

      At our school, they are given a spiral bound agenda.  I write the number that they earned each day in the agenda and I expect my parents to initial each night.  That way, the parents are always aware of how each day went for their student.  If they have a number less than a 5, I always jot a little note telling the parents what the issues were.  This also gives me a chance to write a little good note too :)!

      At the end of the week, I tally up their points that they have earned for the week and based on the points, they get to pick out of my Classroom Catalog of Good Behavior!!!  They absolutely LOVE this!! 

      I am pretty strict with the points so they really strive to keep their five for each day.  It usually just takes one time to miss out on catalog orders and they are right back on track!!

      This little catalog has been a great classroom management lifesaver, as well as a teacher budget saver. No longer am I purchasing lots and lots of items for my treasure box because my students are choosing rewards that don't cost me a single penny! 

      I just print out the pages I need, place in sheet protectors, and then place in a binder.  That way, they can browse through like a real catalog!     

  Now, that's what I call AWESOME!!!!

Throwback Thursday

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I'm finally getting to participate in Cara's Throwback Thursday linky! I have enjoyed reading everyone's and decided it was time to link up my own!


                                         

      I'm linking up this post from last year for Monday Made-It.  It's my version of the Where Am I? board that is all over Pinterest.  When students leave the room, the students move their magnets that have their magic number on it.  (The magic number is what I call the number I give them for my organizational purposes!)
                                                  


      Since I've been using this board, I know where all my students are at all times!  I know, I know, we're supposed to always know that anyway, but there are times before when I was like, "Now, where did I send them?"  Please, please tell me I am not alone!!

      Anywho, I have included a little FREEBIE to go along with this post so you can make your own board!  There are a few different color combinations for you!

     
Till next time...

Book Box FREEBIE!

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      Just popping in very quickly tonight to offer you a quick freebie!  I use book boxes in my room as part of my students read to self and read with a partner.  In order to trade out a book, they must complete this book box form.  It gives me a record of what they are reading on their own and it gives a record of their understanding of the book.  It also gives them an opportunity to state an opinion about the book and whether or not they would recommend it to a friend.  There are two on a page and I print them front to back, cut them apart, and put them in a book box form basket.

      I hope you can use it!  Click on the picture to grab your FREEBIE!

      Also, I am linking up with Classroom Freebies so hop over and grab some great FREEBIES!

Till next time...

Monday Made It

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          Ok...so I know it's not totally Monday Made-It since Fourth Grade Frolics is only hosting it monthly now, buuuutttt I couldn't wait that long!  I wanted to show you how cute my Where Am I?  board turned out!!  I'm sure you have seen all the cute ones over on Pinterest.  Well... here is my version!!

       
          I used a small magnetic white board that I got from Target, hot glued ribbon around it and then segmented it off with more ribbon.  I then just created the different choices that students have, printed, laminated, and attached!  Wow!  It was that simple!! :)

 I left one space empty, but I have some students that recieve extra services, so I may add the option of 'other' to that last spot.  I just hung it today after school.  I've also got to add my new #26 up there too.  I lost it between home and school.  I will go over our new little classroom management station with the kiddos tomorrow.  Hopefully, it will go swimmingly!!

So what do you think? 





Till next time...

All good things must come to an end...

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           So, I've been away for a few days because I went to the University of Georgia for graduation!  Two of my coworkers and I graduated on Saturday after two long years of grad school!  So excited!  One of my fellow graduates (and coworker's) daughter gave us a graduation party in Athens so we went for an extended weekend celebration!  So I officially have a title behind my name...Not so sure that I'll use it, but it's nice to know I have it!  :)

Here we are after we have walked through the arch leading onto campus.  (Legend has it that if you walk through the arches before graduating, you will never graduate!)

    
          Anyway, today was the day when all good things must come to an end...the first day of pre-planning.  I did not even get to see my classroom though!  We were in meetings ALL day long!  Does your school do that too??  I completely understand why we have to meet, but jeesh... they have no idea how long my to do list is!!!!

       This week, I am linking up Tara over at Fourth Grade Frolics.  

          I posted about my owl transportation ribbon organizer and my owl lunch choices ribbon organizer, but I hadn't made one yet.  I've since made them and taken them to my classroom.  I haven't quite decided where I'm going to hang them yet, but they turned out soooo cute!  I can't wait for my little sweeties to use them!!

Made-It # 1:

This is my owl transportation ribbon organizer.  I plan to use clothespins with sweetie names on them.  I couldn't for the life of me find any clothes pins that day to demonstrate so just pretend you see clothespins.  For the bus riders, I also plan to put the bus number on the pin.  Super cute! 













Made-It # 2:

This is my owl lunch choices ribbon organizer.  I plan to use it to check their lunch choice and attendance at the same time.  This will be used with clothespins as well.  The clips will start off each day in a small basket and as they come in, they will read the menu choices and choose what they want.  I'll have a student helper put the clips down each day.

I love how I left the little tassels at the bottom of this one.  It turned out really cute!








Made-It # 3:

I bought these little lunch containers a couple of weeks back when I saw a pin on Pinterest showing this.  I knew that I couldn't wait to make these containers for my groups!  I plan to put them in my small group area for use during guided math.






Hope you like all these creations!

Till next time...

Getting my Classroom Ready...Owl Lunch Choices

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       I've been really busy trying to get my classroom ready!  Which means I've been trying to get more owl stuff integrated!

Of course, I've STILL got to finish unpacking and organizing my classroom since I moved  rooms!  The decorating has not happened that much yet - just little bits and pieces.  When I get home, I think of all the cute things I can add to make it cute and homey.  We spend so much time in our classrooms, we should make it cute and homey!  Right?!?!

Today, I made a ribbon orgainizer for my lunch choices.  It coordinates with my transportaion ribbon roganizer!  Simply print, laminate, attach ribbon on the back, and use clothes pins for students to choose their lunches.  I’ve included three different colors so that you can use all the same color, or mix and match the colors.  Your choice!  Hope you like it!!

Don't forget to follow my blog and TpT store!

Till next time...

How I Use Student Binders

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       I received a sweet comment from a reader about how I use organizational binders with my students.  It's probably a good idea to share that info with you! ;)

       Each student has a 1 1/2 inch clear view binder.  That way we can put those CUTE binder covers in there.  Inside, they have an agenda (our system provides these), and two pocket folders (the plastic kind).  The agenda is where students write down their homework and I place their behavior information for the day.  The first pocket folder is behind the agenda.  That is their "homework" folder.  This is not a folder with prongs - just the pockets.  I put stickers on each of the pockets: Keep at Home and Bring back!  I like to use the plastic because they hold up so much better, but if they don't have the three ring holes already punched - Watch Out!  It is a PAIN to punch them! 

The left pocket is for things to be "keep at home."  These things might be announcements, daily work, etc.  You know, those jillion things that are sent home that you don't need a reply for.  One of the rules on the binder cover is that they are supposed to clean out their Keep at Home section each night.  They usually do a good job of this.  Occasionally, you have to remind them!  The right pocket is for things that they need to return to you...homework, permission forms, lunch money in an envelope, etc.  Pretty easy so far, right??

The second pocket folder can be used for anything that you want, whether it be sight words, homework sheets, whatever you feel is best for your class.  I have used it mainly for sight words since the homework is taken care of in our students' agendas.  Last year, I didn't even use the second folder because I looped up to 2nd with my students and my students had already mastered all the sight words that our district requires.

Also, if I need to I will put page protectors in their binders if there is something I want them to keep in there.  That could be maybe a poem we are working on, a readers theater script, etc...anything!  The first year, I use plastic pencil pouches in the binders, but I found them cumbersome.  They just put 

I could say this is the only way to do binders, but that is sooo not true, but it is what works for my students and me.  When it's time to pack up, I just tell them which pocket to put their item in.  It keeps them organized, their parents are able to find what they need, and I love that they are not searching in the bottom of their bookbags for that homework or lunch money! 

I hate that I don't have pictures, but if you have any questions - just ask!

Till next time...