Clip Chart as Part of a System

Welcome to Day 2 of my Blog Mini-Series: Behavior Management.  Yesterday I blogged about what didn't work.  Today, I'm going to blog about what did work (some years)!

I've mentioned about a thousand times that I've taught a lot of different grade levels.  For those of you who don't know...I've taught PK, K, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th & 7th.  People ask me which was my favorite - it was 3rd, hands down!  

When my team began teaching those little 2nd graders we knew we would loop up to 3rd grade with them. We also knew that we would be facing a new state assessment - The STAAR.  They were a rough bunch, not to mention that it was FULL of TK's (teacher's kids).  Plus, we began 2nd Grade self-contained and in January we switched to departmentalized.  My school does this in 2nd Grade & it stinks for everyone involved - kids, parents and teachers!

We needed a lot of structure.  I knew the **key** to behavior for this group was positive incentives.  I began with a token system where kids would gain tokens for good choices (behavior, bringing in homework, teamwork, etc...).  I made it work for a self-contained classroom but when we switched to departmentalized, I couldn't keep up.  Oddly enough, the kids were really disappointed -- they loved those gold tokens.  One of the main issues we faced was the increase in transition time.  There was a lot of time wasted in the hallway waiting on the next class.  Little 2nd graders had to gather supplies, switch classes, settle down again, get settled and switch their brain from ending one class to beginning a new class.  The parents didn't understand 3 different sets of rules and neither did the kids.  They would get in trouble in 1 teacher's classroom and not in the other 2 classrooms.  Which leads parents to believe it is the teacher's fault. UGH...

Pic from This Little Piggy Reads

We were not strangers to the clip chart.  In fact, our school began using it a few years prior.  But, it was known as negative reinforcement.  I knew our team needed a cohesive behavior system.  I introduced my team to the "move-up clip chart".  I made identical charts.  We all used them.  The clip chart moved with the kids.  It didn't stay with the teacher.  The kids even took the chart to P.E., Music and Art.  We all agreed that if our students moved their clip down, they could earn a move up.  We also agreed that if they landed on purple they would immediately earn a prize (usually a pencil or an eraser).  Our school provided an agenda for each student.  So, every teacher wrote/signed the agendas daily and parents were expected to sign them daily as well.  

When we looped to 3rd Grade, as a team we implemented a few items to increase structure with this group. First, a voice level chart.  

Pic from Live, Love, Laugh Everyday in Kindergarten

   Next, visuals to give kids a heads up about what they should have on their desks during learning time.  

Pic from an Unknown Source

Finally, we also began sending a weekly Newsletter.  I e-mailed it to our parents.  It inspired my Classroom Newsletters.  They are editable so you can save them and send them electronically or print & send them.  

This is what I call a "System".  It is many components that work together and create a plan of action for teachers, students and parents.  It wasn't the clip chart that made everything work.  It was the teachers working as a team to create a streamlined system of expectations for the students.  

Check back tomorrow when I discuss how the Clip Chart didn't work with another classroom.

This Little Piggy wonders, have you ever used a clip chart?  Did it work for you?    

5 Things I would do Differently if I Taught Kinder Again

This week, I plan to present a quick blog series all about the lessons I've learned concerning a pretty controversial topic: 

  

I am of the philosophy that every class (depending on the year, depending on the teacher, depending on the school) needs a different management plan.  I also think that some students need their own plan, but I admit I'm NOT PERFECT & I have a difficult time implementing personal plans.  

In my 10 years of teaching I've taught so many different grade levels and such different types of classrooms that I know there is NOT a "Magic Plan" that works for all.  So, this post is not about some "Magic Plan" you've never heard of.  I wholeheartedly believe that teacher prep/planning & student engagement plays a HUGE role in the management plan. 

Rewind 10 years to my very first year teaching.  I taught at a Junior High School with 50 minute class periods, no more than 18 kids in a classroom and a male principal who carried a paddle around the halls.   #easiestjobever  Did I mention we had a Special Ed teacher, so I only had general education students and GT students.  I didn't need a management plan. 

Imagine 4 years later when I was thrown into a Kindergarten classroom, 3 weeks after school began with no aide and 24 students.  #teacherintrouble  I was assigned a mentor.  I know what you're thinking...ahhh salvation!  Nope.  Don't get me wrong, she is an awesome teacher!  But, everything comes natural to her.   I needed direct instruction. "When Jakobe leaves the alphabet center and goes to the dramatic play center, you need to do XYZ."   She would come watch my class & didn't understand why I couldn't just run a classroom.  Which made me feel like a horrible teacher!  

Looking back, I see the issue she didn't.  DUH.  My 7th Graders never went to centers and pretty much came to me with social skills and understood how school worked.  Kindergarteners needed me to teach them these things.  Why didn't she just tell me this?  I turned to the internet and I found a few blogs that gave me some insight.  I ended putting names on my rug and finding something like the color card pocket chart below.  It did it's job.  But let's be serious a color chart isn't a behavior plan.  And did you know that when a Kindergartener can't read their own name, they will just choose any name and pull the card?  #whoknew?

After 10 years of teaching, I've done a lot of reflecting. Now that I am a Mom to an almost Kindergartener, I realize that the behavior issues were pretty much all my fault. 
So, here is a quick list of things I know would have improved my classroom behavior.  

When I read this list of 5 things, I'm actually embarrassed that I didn't know better.  I knock myself on the head and think, "DOH, of course I should have taught procedures!"  But, I honestly didn't know better. When we know better, we do better.  I read amazing Kindergarten Blogs now and I am in "AH" of how seemless their classrooms run.  Mine was a wreck.  The good news...at the end of the year, I had 99% of my students reading on Grade Level.  I had the pleasure of teaching the same students in 3rd Grade & guess what?  The vast majority could READ ON GRADE LEVEL!  So, although my behavior management plan left something to be desired, my instruction was effective.  Maybe I wasn't so bad after all!  

This Little Piggy thinks reflection is possibly the most valuable teaching practice.    

Blog Mini-Series: Behavior Management

Sunday = Relaxation Day/Laundry Day/Cleaning Day/Family Breakfast Day/Grocery Shopping Day.  But, we had a busy 4th Weekend, so we are putting everything else off and having a relaxing family day.

I decided I would blog daily for the month of July.  FAIL.  I already missed a day.  But in order to blog daily, I need topics!  So, this week I'm presenting a blog mini-series about different aspects of:

I'm going to cover a different topic every day (Mon. - Sat.).  The topics will ONLY include things I have personally learned about, tried &/or used.  Topics will include everything from behavior cards, clip charts, Class Dojo, Parent Communication, Student Engagement and Organization.  I hope you will reply and let me know your feelings about the things I'm posting about.  

This Little Piggy is reflecting all week long!

Happy 4th

I just wanted to say Happy 4th!  My Reese's cookie cake was a huge hit!  I think I would make it much thinner next time.  What was your favorite dish??

How did we ever celebrate holidays without Pinterest?

Happy July 4th to all of my American Friends!!  
We have a busy July 4th planned.  We are going to a few pool parties and to the lake over the weekend. The good part is that I don't have to cook 3 meals a day!!  But, I do have to take dishes to a few different places.  Since some of the same people will be there - I need to take different things every day.  Today I'm sharing some great foodie pins!  If you want the recipe, click the pic.  

Last year, I made baked potato salad.  It was "okay" - not great, but not bad either.

Last year I also made my "go-to salad" for my sister's pool party.  I omit the avocados and I candy the almonds.  Everyone in my family loves it, so it was a hit.

This year, I'm making dessert. I'm trying this cookie recipe.  I made a sample this week and again, it's okay.  

Tomorrow night we watch fireworks from our back porch.  I'm making pulled chicken sandwiches with coleslaw, grilled corn-on-the-cob and my dad's chessy potatoes.  It is inspired by this pin.

I'm taking chips & dip to my Dad's @ the lake.  Seriously?  I've NEVER taken "just" chips to anything before.  Guess my brother decided to bring drinks this year;)  I am making my famous Mexican Spinach Dip. It's 2 cans of rotel, 1 big block of velveeta, 1 block of cream cheese (or 2 if you prefer) and 1 pkg. of frozen spinach (thawed & drained).  This time I'm subbing the spinach for a pkg. of TGIF's spinach-artichoke dip.  It was a hit for our Father's Day cook out and my Dad requested it again.  It's a quick one if you need to whip something up fast;) 

If you're needing a little inspiration, visit my pinterest board "food".

This Little Piggy wants to know...what's your favorite pot-luck dish?  

Mod Podge - Friend or Foe?

So, I have a Dora toy box in my garage.  It looks a lot like this...

It's wood & sturdy.  

It's also ugly and all wrong for my classroom.

I thought about sanding it, priming it, and painting it...

Maybe something like this - turquoise, corals and white with a cushion and a pillow.

Or, like this, turquoise white wash.  Of course, it won't be a treasure chest.

Or this might be really cute.  Turquoise bottom and chevron lid.  Loving it.

Then...I found this pic.  It's mod podge, an old book & tissue paper...cute!!  Of course, everything I mod podge is sticky.  Ick.

What do you guys think?  

Is mod podge your friend or foe?

I'm back with a Currently and a NEW CAR!

It has been a couple of MONTHS since I've linked up with Farley.  Wow, now that should scream, "GIRL, YOU NEED TO WRITE A BLOG!"  I apologize for my lack of blogging.  This month I plan on blogging daily.  HUH?  Daily?  Yes, daily.  It's been so long since I've linked up with Farley, there are so many new blogs out there, I barely recognize any of them.  Well, welcome newbies;)  

Listening - If you knew my girl, you'd know she is obsessed with Mermaids.  I mean obsessed.  Yes, she wants to be a Mermaid when she grows up.  I keep trying to convince her there is no such thing as Mermaids, they are fantasy.  But Hubby isn't helping the matter by telling her we'll search for Mermaids at the beach this month.  

Loving - I GOT A NEW CAR (to me)!  Girlfriend, I needed one.  Seriously.  Mine was almost 9 years old. I had a Toyota Rav4.  I did actually love it, but it had seen better days.  Hubby was getting nervous about me driving it daily.  So...I got this little sports car!  The only thing I don't like is that it doesn't have a sunroof.  I mean, come on!  What sports car doesn't have a sunroof?  Okay, so it's a 4-door sports car.  It is sleek and fast, so in my "mommy world" it's a sports car.  It's actually pretty big for a small car.  

Thinking - Should I keep Mermaids?  Or change to Foxes?  

Wanting - I WANT NEW FLOORING in my house.  Yes, I'm screaming.  I want them so bad, I actually priced staining our concrete so I could get rid of my carpet! 

Needing - I need some inspiration for TpT Products - do any Texas Teachers need anything?

This Little Piggy can't wait for the pool party!