Positive Classroom Management

Hello all,

Today I want to share a freebie along with talk about an aspect of classroom management that we have implemented at our school.

Although there are many aspects of classroom management that make up an effective plan, one thing we have been encouraged to try is the Clip Chart. It is an idea created in part by Rick Morris. The most obvious part of the chart is the visual representation of seven categories- Outstanding, Great Day, Good Job, Ready to Learn, Think About It, Teacher's Choice, and Parent Contact. Students start of "ready to learn" each day and can move up and down the chart due to their behavior.

There are some parts that are difficult to adjust to and some great aspects to this chart. One thing that I have found difficult is the constant monitoring of students moving up and down the chart. I started off with moving all the clips myself as to model. It got to the point of interrupting lessons! We changed up to only clipping up and down during certain designated times, and "saved up" the clips for then. Another thing that I worked around was certain students who had different plans not related to the chart. We had a few class meetings talking about how we all learn differently, and we all have different plans with the chart. :)

There are a ton of things I do enjoy about the Clipchart. Something I love about the chart is the recognition of those kiddos who are always doing the right thing and somehow are not recognized for their efforts. I can use their positive behavior to both recognize them, and remind other students what appropriate behavior looks like. They can see that either 1- their behavior is on point and they will be next to be "clipped up" or 2- their behavior isn't appropriate for the classroom and they need to change it before they will be positively acknowledged. Another aspect that is great about the chart is that students have the opportunity to fluidly move throughout the day. They don't have 3 chances and then they blow it for the rest of the day. Rather, they can have a rough morning reading group which causes a clip down, and turn it around during math and earn to clip back up. The idea is that students and educators have a mutual understanding that there is one factor determining placement: the student's behavior. This puts the power and accountability in their hands. Pretty powerful.

I created a freebie that for the chart that should be printed on 11X17 cardstock, taped together, and laminated. You can buy clothespins from the dollar store and write names or class numbers on them.

Here is where you can get it for FREE: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chevron-Clip-Chart-FREEBIE-1359303

Until next time... 

Jordan

Hello and welcome to my blog and first post!

I am excited to start this blog and be able to express my creativity through teaching resources. I love, love, love my job teaching third graders in Lincoln, Nebraska. Before I tell you more about my resources, let me give you a little background on where I am coming from as far as experience.

I hit the ground running after graduating last December with accepting a one semester contract teaching 25 adventurous third graders. I didn't have much time to prepare because it was a last minute opportunity so I learned as I went. This was both a bless and a cursing, but I wouldn't do it any other way. I worked a lot of weekends, but learned SO much more than I would have if I could have overplanned for months before. Luckily, I will get to stay in my classroom teaching Third Grade again this school year.

I have decided that my theme will be yellow, teal, and gray chevron. Finding decorations for my room that matched was difficult and expensive, so I started making a lot of my own!

Here is the first piece I will share. It is a student self-assessment graphic for a quick check of understanding during any curricular lesson. I love using this to have student think about their learning and give me a signal if they are struggling. I will use the self-assessment this year along with my data tracking. I will share about that in a later post.

You can find this freebie on my TPT store at this link:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chevron-Student-Self-Assessment-1335873

Until next time,

Jordan