You’ve seen the statistics and memes: the rollercoaster of changing teacher attitude and emotions throughout the school year. Now that we’re deep into October, you may be feeling it's THAT TIME of year…
October is often when teachers feel like they’re barely surviving or disillusioned. October is also a great time to reflect on current behavior management systems.
To build teamwork and cooperation, our class uses a marble jar. Every time the whole class is on task, working together, or making smart choices, we earn marbles. (I never take marbles out—once they’re earned, they’re ours!)
When the jar is full—it's a small one so we can celebrate often—the class votes on a fun party or reward! The only guidelines are that it has to be a party that can take place during non-academic classroom time. In the past, we have had a dance party, a board game party, and a Flashlight Friday reading party. One year, kids voted on a milkshake party (parents came in with blenders and every type of ice-cream imaginable: lactose-free ice-cream, soy ice-cream, regular ice-cream and again: almond milk, Lactaid, low-fat milk. They made sure every child with allergies was able to participate. I was afraid the circuits in my classroom were going to pop a breaker! But it was a blast!)
TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More is our motto. It's posted on our board. I'm sure you've also heard the saying, "There is no I in TEAM." We focus so much on building our classroom community that students naturally learn to help and support one another. Desks are arranged in TEAMs of 4–6 students. When a TEAM stays on task, works cooperatively, or lends a helping hand, they earn a point!
Points are tallied on the whiteboard, and at the end of the month (when TEAMs switch), the top group enjoys Lunch with the Teacher! They bring their own lunches, but we make it special with a tablecloth and ice cream sundaes with all the toppings. TEAMs love earning this sweet celebration!
Blurt Alerts
One of my favorite tools is our Red Hand system! Using red construction paper hands (we call them Blurt Alerts), I quietly place one on a student’s desk if they’re having trouble waiting their turn or blurting out. No need to say a word—the red hand is a gentle reminder. The student writes their name on it and drops it in our Blurt Alert can. At the end of the week, the red hands are sent home with a note for parents to sign. It usually only takes a few weeks before they’re no longer needed!
To celebrate self-control, we also use Green Hands for students who remember to raise their hand or speak at the right time. Red or green, these little hands make a big difference!
With 32-36 students, my management system needs to be simple and effective. I often use Class Dojo with my whole class (you can read more about that here), but for specific students who need "a bit more assistance", I use an individual daily contract.
This particular contract was for a student who had some attitude adjustment needs 🤣
I start by meeting with the student to talk about what they think they need to improve—and they’re usually spot on! Common goals include staying on task, completing work on time, keeping hands and words to themselves, raising a hand and waiting to be called on, staying seated, or bringing homework completed and on time.
Next, we choose a non-monetary reward that motivates them. Many students pick one-on-one time with me—a lunch date. They bring their lunch to the bench outside the classroom, and we eat together with my full attention. Others prefer a homework pass, a day at the teacher’s desk, or helping younger students in K–1 classrooms (a favorite privilege!).
The contract breaks the day into three parts: before recess, recess to lunch, and lunch to dismissal. Expecting perfect behavior all day isn’t realistic, so we focus on small, achievable chunks. For each time period they meet their goal, they earn a stamp. If the unwanted behavior appears, I quietly mark a tally—no fuss, no embarrassment. The contract goes home daily for parents to review and sign, keeping everyone on the same page.
Since it takes about three weeks to build a new habit, most contracts phase out naturally. Still, some students ask to keep theirs going—just for more lunch dates with me!
I try to stay away from extrinsic rewards; ideally I want my students to be motivated intrinsically! However, I do like them to feel pride when setting and achieving goals so we use these goal setting bookmarks. When they have met their goal, they scratch the sticker to reveal their surprise message or reward.
.jpg)
Celebrate students making wise choices, recognize effort, or reward progress with notes or coupons! Simply add 1” circular scratch-off stickers (sold separately and easy to find online).! The notes are fully editable, allowing you to personalize them for your classroom goals and routines.
Click HERE or on the image below to check out these Scratch-off Incentives.
What have you found works best to keep students (and you) motivated and encouraged?
Click below to find more great teaching ideas!
No comments
Post a Comment