Rewards for Good Behavior

Last Week, I shared with you my classroom management steps.    This year I am doing something a bit different.  Instead of giving a prize bag each time a student earns five stickers.  I decided to have them earn reward coupons instead. 

I was first inspired by Lyndsey at A Year of Many Firsts., A few months back she wrote about how her students have so much compared to the children she worked with on a mission trip.  This really hit home with me because I work at a Catholic School and the children I work with are very blessed.  Most of them behave well and they really do not need any little gifts.  However they do like the extra recognition and the opportunity to be special for the day.

On Pinterest I saw lots of teachers selling reward cards for good behavior.  So I thought of 14 rewards that would be fun in my classroom.  I made several copies of the cards and laminated them. 

If you would like a copy of my cards, please click here.  They are free to all my readers.  

Five For Friday -- Aug. 16

My Five Favorite Projects

Of The Week

I know this post is a day late, however I wanted to finish up the blog hoppin week yesterday And I still want to list my five favorite projects this week with Doodle Bugs Teaching.  I hope you don’t mind.

1.      I finally purchased a coffee maker for my classroom.  One of those fancy ones that can make coffee, tea, and my personal favorite…. Hot Chocolate!

This is my mini kitchen area at school.  I have a left of refrigerator from my son’s college days, which I decorated.  A basket of spoons, forks and napkins for the days we have to eat lunch in the classroom.

2.     I love this “How to be a Good Listener Banner” from First Grade Fever It was a Freebie.   

3.     I created this art caddy for when the kids are missing markers and pencils.   I have the drawer organizer for crayons but I thought we might need something else too.

4.     I put together a poster of suggestions of what the children could do when they complete all their work.  Last year I always had children telling me “I’m Done….. what should I do?’  I hope this poster will help.

5.  Sunshine Bags  Little welcome bags for each child.

   

Tips and Tricks

My Trick for a

Clean Looking Classroom

The number one comment people say when they walk in my room is that it is so clean and organized.  I generally have a lot going on however the kids and I know where everything goes.  My secret is I am great at hiding the mess.

I have these canvas bins from Target that hide the messy stuff.  First of all, I purchased all red ones so they would match and give a clean look.  Then I filled them with my junk. 

I put cute labels on them so I know what is in them.  

In the Math Center, I have math 20 counters in little Glad containers ready for Math Activities.  I have tens/ones blocks in baggies ready for Math Activities as well.  The Unifix Cubes are in groups of tens ready to go. 

Up high here I hide all the student portfolios, once a month the children will put something inside that they are very proud of. 

Up high above the art cabinets (in the pink bins) I hide egg cartons and paper towel tubes, you never know what kind of art project will call for them.

 I use all the space I have in the classroom. 

Even the benches in the Reading Center have extra storage space inside of them. 

An organized Teacher

is

A

Happy Teacher!

Stop by Blog Hopping for more Tips and Tricks

Taming the Wild -- Classroom Management

Our primary level came up with these simple five school rules years ago.   A teacher had her husband create us signs at his printing shop.  They are simple and to the point.

To encourage the children throughout the day I use Rainbow Behavior Cards.  You flip to the color.  This works perfect for me.  This will be my fourth year using the same cards.  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

(Ok…less work for me!  Yeah!)

Each color card represents a level of behavior.  I love pointing out positive behavior to the children.  I even let them flip forward for the best work on assignments! 

I found this cute/FREE banner at First Grade Fever to remind my students of what it means to be a good listener.  It hangs above the Rainbow Behavior chart.  

If they make it to the top of the Rainbow (red card,) I give them an extra sticker for the day on their folder. 

For every five extra stickers they earn, they can pick a surprise reward card. 

What is on these reward cards:

·      A surprise bag (aka…junk from this box)

·      pick the next brain break song

The Very Busy Classroom's
Collection of Brain Break Songs

·      pick your own reading buddy

·      pick an eraser

·      pick your own pencil mechanical pencil (I use these and the kids think they are awesome.)

·      First to pick a recess toy.

·      Teacher Helper for the Day

·      Rock Your Socks Off (You can take your shoes off in the classroom.)

Of course you have the occasionally child who gets to the bottom of the rainbow, we have a conference together.  We also talk to a parent after school and see what better choices could be made during the day.   

Read more ideas at Blog Hoppin