Behavior System

This is the behavior system I use in my classroom.  I got the idea from a teacher I used to work with and I've been loving it and using it ever since.  Students start with their clips each day on the "Piggy Bank."  Throughout the day students move their names up for a variety of things.  When I catch students following the rules or participating they move their name up.  With each move up they earn something different. (Prizes are given before dismissal, not each time they move their clip.)  The goal is to move it to the penny by the end of the day to earn a stamp on their behavior calendar that goes home every day to be signed by their parents.  (This also keeps me mindful of trying to find something positive to reinforce for each child at some point throughout the day.)  If they make it to the nickel they get a ticket which is something our school uses to reinforce students following our code of conduct.  Dimes get to go to the treasure chest and quarters dun dun dun...get a quarter stamp on their calendar and get a choice of some of my special prizes.

I love this system for many reasons.  The first being that it focuses on recognizing positive behavior.  Students can move their names down, but for the most part, when I tell someone to move their name up, it quickly focuses the other students on their own behavior and they work to make better choices.  Another reason I love it is it is a great reinforcement of the different coins and their values.  Finally, the kids love it and so do their families.  I have gotten so much great feedback from families about this system.  Some of my parents even have their own prizes for when their child comes home with a quarter stamp.  :)  Grab a copy for your room from my TpT store!

Behavior System Posters

Classroom Tidbits

Happy New Year!  I can't believe vacation is almost over!  I have been trying a few new things in the class this year and wanted to share some of the things that have been making my life easier!

I love bins, I am a bit fanatical when I go through that dollar section at Target.  The drop box I use to collect notes and other papers that students bring in (mostly in the morning) so they don't get lost on my desk.  My desk eats things.  :)

The recess bin gets taken outside each day by my Recess Helper.  It has wipes, antibacterial, gloves, bandaids, nurse passes, and a class list.  It has come in handy most days because it has so many things that end up being needed at one time or another.  My favorite part is that because it is a classroom job, I don't have to remember to bring it out or back in.  :)

One of the teachers I work with suggested this idea at our first faculty meeting this year and I thought it was so smart!  When kids are pulled for speech, OT, reading groups, etc., they put the cup on their desk  to say they are out of the room.  It makes it easy to glance around the room and see who has been pulled.  

Arrival tends to get hectic.  Getting 20 1st graders to come in and get settled quickly is always a task. This year I use these little cards to help motivate students to get moving through their routine quickly and quietly.  Once they get their things away, homework out, and begin their morning work, I start handing these out.  I choose 3 students to go to the computer and 3 to go to the Activity Table.  I have some sort of game or flip chart on the computer and some sort of game at the table that reinforces different things we have been working on. Both options tend to be more desirable than the morning assignment so it has worked really well when it comes to motivating them to follow that routine and start the day out in a way that keeps me sane and happy.  :)

Hope you had a relaxing break!  I'm still trying to figure out what my New Year's Resolution is going to be this year....anyone have any creative ideas?  :)

Fonts Fonts Fonts!

Back to school tomorrow!  Ah!  While I was trying to get some things together I got distracted when I went searching for some new fonts to use this year.  I LOVE fonts as many of you probably do as well.  I just can't get enough of them.  Thought I'd share my favorites in case anyone was looking for some new ones to add to their collection.  Click on the font name below to find where to download them.  I love browsing DaFont and kevinandamanda.com to find new ones!  What are your favorites?  Please share!

ck handprint

Hello Belle and Hello Skinny

Smiley Monster

mtf pork chop

Have a great day if you're going back tomorrow.....or if you're one of the lucky ones with a few more days left of summer to enjoy!

~Abby

Back to School Activities

Holy moly!  I can't believe summer has gone by so fast.  I find myself saying that every August.  Hehe..  I'm getting a lil excited though.  :)  Every year I use the same books to go over behavior, rules, expectations, yada yada.  This year, thanks to Pinterest, I was inspired to switch it up.  There are so many new books that I find it hard to keep up, but I chose these three to try start spicing up my back to school collection.

Lacey Walker Nonstop Talker

You Get What You Get

My Mouth is a Volcano

I bought them all on Amazon and they are all super cute.  The illustrations are amazing and the stories are all focused on specific student behavior.  My favorite part about the stories are that they all depict the character learning a lesson about behavior in a humorous kid friendly way.  If you want to check them out, click on the title and it will take you to the Amazon site.  I am borderline obsessed with Amazon.  It makes my life so much easier on so many occasions.  

I made a couple printables to go with the stories.  Since I don't know my kiddos yet, I tried to make them all so they could be adjusted to what they are capable of.  Students can illustrate or write their responses.  Most of my students came in writing sentences last year (thanks to our fabulous kindergarten teachers) so I shall see what this new batch is like very soon.  Click on the title to download.  Leave me a comment if there are any other great stories I should check out!  I hope everyone enjoys their last little bit of summer!

Back to School Bundle