Thursday, July 19, 2012

Behavior Charts....here's what I'm going to try!

If you saw my post a few weeks ago about Behavior Charts you'll know I was questioning the use of my "normal" behavior chart in my classroom.  (http://inspiredbykindergarten.blogspot.com/2012/07/behavior-charts-advicecomments-welcome.html)

There were 2 main reasons I started to question
"The chart":
 (#1) I would want to talk to kids about their choices 2 hours after it happened (while they were missing their recess) and I couldn't remember what they had done to get their picture moved to yellow! Of course they couldn't remember either. . . what great conversations we had.

(#2)  My "angels" were constantly saying "I've never been on red or yellow.  I'm always on green.  Bobby is always on yellow or red."  Blah, blah, blah.  Yuck.  I didn't like it at all.  No matter how often I asked them to "Be the Boss of You" they still talked about it!  Those kids don't forget anything!!

So, I tried to think of a different way to keep track of behavior.  I need visuals, the kids need visuals, and I need it to be EASY and CONSISTENT!

After looking at lot of different behavior management ideas I took a little of this and a little of that and came up with something I think will work for me and my class.

Since I don't have access to my classroom, a class list, or ANY supplies yet I made this beautiful visual for you (nice, right?)


So this is what's in my head.  It will be kept near my desk (out of the view of prying eyes but right in my line of vision).  Each kinder will have a pocket.  If their pocket is empty they are making good choices.  If there is a card in the pocket they will need to conference with me before going to recess or any type of free play time.  The cards in the pocket are miniatures of our class rules.

clipart from Scrappindoodles
By the way. . . love the rule from Whole Brain teaching "Keep Your Dear Teacher Happy!"  Hello. . . that rules applies to everything the other rules don't cover! 
 G-E-N-I-U-S!

This is completely new to me but I am excited to try it out.  If you're interested in seeing the "whole shebang" click HERE for your free copy!

I usually like to stick with blogging about things I've actually tried and like but this time I'm going out on a limb and sharing my "future" with you!   I will let you know how it goes once I give it a try!   



58 comments:

  1. This looks fabulous!! I love the pocket chart idea. Thanks for sharing!! :)
    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

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    Replies
    1. Inspired By Kindergarten: Behavior Charts....Here'S What I'M Going To Try! >>>>> Download Now

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      Inspired By Kindergarten: Behavior Charts....Here'S What I'M Going To Try! >>>>> Download LINK

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  2. I'm in training this week for Great Expectations which says there shouldn't be any visual charts (because of your reason #2) but I find that I forget who did what or had what kind of day if I don't have a visual, plus parents want something concrete for me to tell them at the end of the day. I like the 7 step clip charts since it focuses more on positive behavior. I'll be interested to see how yours works, please keep us updated. Your cards are super cute by the way - I think they're a perfect visual for when we teach rules/procedures at the beginning of the year!

    Jennifer @ Herding Kats In kindergarten

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  3. Looks fabulous! I think I could use the same thing with my 7th graders!

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  4. What is your specific explanation of keep your teacher happy?

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    1. That rule is from Whole Brain Teaching. It's pretty much a "catch all" rule. For example (for my classroom these would be examples): Kids walking away from their mess without cleaning it up, throwing trash on the floor instead of in the trash can, etc. These things do not make me (the teacher) happy because it's not respectful and it makes more work for others. I am not an authority on Whole Brain teaching but I use a lot of their ideas and strategies in my classroom. Check out this website if you want more information: http://www.wholebrainteaching.com/Whole-Brain-Teching/First-Steps/Five-Classroom-Rules.html

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  5. Thank you! I think this will really help me remember what the infraction was when I actually get a moment to address it!

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  6. I have been using Whole Brain Teaching for 5 years. I have a chart similar to yours. I know you stated that you don't want the students to see it, and I think you should do whatever works best for you, but there are some reasons I learned through their training why you do want it to be in front of the class. First, you can walk over to the chart without saying a word as a non-verbal warning for students to get back on track. Secondly, students see others misbehaving all the time. When they see you place the broken rule card in the pocket of that student, they see that the behavior is unacceptable, which is a learning tool for them or agreement with their opinion that the student is out of line. Students don't really brag "I always follow the rules, and he NEVER follows the rules." My goal is for my class to always work at helping each other make better decisions. For those special cases, we have a class discussion of how we can help that child. I sometimes explain that we have to treat that student as our little brother/sister to help him/her make better choices. Behavior goals, just like academic goals, don't have to be hidden from whole class (just in case you are worried about self-esteem issues).

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    1. That is a great way to look at it Suzanne! I think it will need to be visible for me or else I'll forget I moved a card so thank you for adding your comment. Makes me feel a little better about others seeing it! I would love to see your chart...do you have a picture?

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  7. I LOVE this! I didn't just want a clip chart like all the other classes in our school. The kids don't get any better and it is a lot of work on the teacher. I like that you included the take home sheet that they fill out so that they can reflect on what they did and how they can make it better. I am definitely using this in my class this year (and it matches my polka dots which we all know is the most important part ;) ha ha)

    I had the issues with kids bragging about not being in trouble and pointing out who was 'bad,' and that was without a behavior plan towards the end of the year. But, asking them "how can we help (name) make better choices," really got them thinking and helped our classroom out a lot.

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    1. Yay! Glad someone is willing to try it out with me! Let me know how it works for you...I am up to adding/changing things as we start to actually use it and see where the packet needs improvement.

      Thanks Christine!

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  8. I love your colorful visuals! It's going to freshen up my behavior management this year. At the beginning of last year, I used our visuals from Whole Brain Teaching and the signal each morning to encourage the class to make smart choices. They loved it - they were even eager to share with new students who joined our class in the middle of the year. Thank you for sharing your ideas with us!

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  9. absolutely love it! so colorful!! : ) definitely going to use it this year!

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  10. Thanks for sharing! I really like your idea and the visuals you created!
    Patti
    pattib203@yahoo.com
    Primary Pizzazz

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  11. This is AWESOME! I have been wanting to do this for a while and I have decided that this is the year to do it! I love your printables and thank you so much for sharing! I am your newest follower!

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  12. It would also be great to laminate these so that you could quickly jot in vis-a-vis what happened to cause the student to get that certain card. That would help when you sit down with the student later.

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  13. Thank you, this will be very helpful for the new school year. Thank you for sharing your gifts with others.

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  14. I have been thinking of the same thing! I love seeing your visuals, it'll help me put the finishing touches on mine. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
    -Leslie

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    1. Love all your stuff Leslie! I'll probably think yours is way cuter than mine!! I love how we all have similar ideas but all put our own "spin" on things! Can't wait to see your thoughts/creations!

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  15. Thanks so much for sharing! I'm your newest follower!

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  16. I like your thoughts on this topic! I just downloaded your packet from TPT. I'm going to try this in my class this year. Thanks for sharing!
    ~ Amy

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  18. Just downloaded your freebie. LOVE the adaptation of the Whole Brain Teaching rules and hand motions.

    Very excited to use these this year as I move from 1/2 to kinders.

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  19. Thank you for this idea! I'm going to try WBT for the first time this year as well. I will let you know how your cards helped me through the process. Thank you!!!
    Modern Kindergarten

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    1. Thanks Perrine! I will do some follow up posts with pictures throughout the year and I hope you and others will leave comments on those posts letting us know how the system is working for them!

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  20. Thanks for sharing. I am looking for something new to try with my fifth graders. I have always used a classroom economy, but I feel I need more accountability now - something I can see to remind me what's going on. This is a cute idea. I am your newest follower. If you have a minute, please pop by my blog at http://scrappyteaching.blogspot.com. I just
    started blogging, but love the information exchange.
    Thanks
    Danielle

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    1. Thanks Danielle! Heading over to your blog to check it out right now!

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  21. Thanks for sharing! I love this idea and I'm going to try it this year with my Kinders. I've been looking for a replacement for the red light system. This makes sense to me.

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  22. I love this and I am going to use it this year! I already printed it out and shared with my team. One of them brought up that we are a Great Expectations school and are suppose to use the word "procedures" instead of "rules". (insert eye roll). Anyway, not being the one to rock the boat, I was wondering if you could change the first page to say classroom procedures and email it to me??? I know I'm being difficult, but I love it and I'm so excited to use it. Thanks so much!

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    1. I sure can. The first page is just the cover though and not really used for anything (I just needed a cover to post it on TPT). If it helps you out though I'd be happy to do it. What's your e-mail address?

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  23. Here is my email address: jadodd3468@sbcglobal.net. Thanks so much!

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  24. I LOVE Whole Brain Teaching, but I also felt I needed to make the rules more "kindergarten". ie I really wanted LISTEN :) Here is some of the things I've made. It might give you a few ideas. I don't have a chart/clip thing because I am TERRIBLE at it! But I do use a clip board to remember things. Think about "gestures" for your rules too. I have used WBT strategies for 3 years know and definitely see the benefits of gestures/ kinesthetic learners. I put the rules into a PPT and some of my darlings go "practice" the rules by following the ppt which is timed and on continuous loop! Good Luck!
    http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Management-Forms-and-Rules

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  25. ps I like how cute your rules look too - good job!

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  26. Hey, I need help with this issue really bad... I love the chart idea; however, I teach 7th and 8th graders (130) students a day and I dont feel like I have room to make everyone a pocket! Does anyone have any suggestions? I just dont like writing the names on the board... I am a 3rd year teacher and could use any advice!
    Thanks in advance!!!
    Kristy Tindall

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  27. I love your rule posters! So cute! Questions... what is the font you used for the posters? I am always on the hunt for new cute fonts! :)

    Amanda
    First Grade Garden

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  28. Just found these, thanks so much! They look terrific and great for the primary classroom.

    I was wondering if you could make a number one rule that matches the Daily 5 lingo..... "Get Started Right Away" instead of "follow directions quickly". I find that quite a mouthful for my little ones to say.

    Thank you and thanks so much for sharing!
    Noreen
    reenie63@hotmail.com

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  29. Beautiful site with full of entertainment

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  30. This is visually so adorable! How has this ended up working for you? I'm excitedly going back to K next year and looking for ideas. I can't find any posts on thoughts after using it.

    Thanks,
    Karen-Maria

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  31. I was just discovered this page and like all your ideas! I was wondering how this method worked and if you are still using it?
    Thanks for so much for sharing!

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  32. Inspired By Kindergarten: Behavior Charts....Here'S What I'M Going To Try! >>>>> Download Now

    >>>>> Download Full

    Inspired By Kindergarten: Behavior Charts....Here'S What I'M Going To Try! >>>>> Download LINK

    >>>>> Download Now

    Inspired By Kindergarten: Behavior Charts....Here'S What I'M Going To Try! >>>>> Download Full

    >>>>> Download LINK

    ReplyDelete