Real talk: classroom management has always been my biggest struggle as a teacher. I think that this is true for a lot of teachers. It’s one thing to read about classroom management strategies in a college classroom, but it’s a whole other ballgame when you’re standing in front of a roomful of middle schoolers and you are somehow expected to keep them all in line! I’ve had a few tough groups over my first few years, and I needed something to up my classroom management game. The classroom management strategy I’m going to share with you today has been a total game-changer for me, and I hope it can help you, too! This strategy is called Behavior Bingo. To implement it, you will need a 10×10 chart numbered from 1-100. I used to draw mine out on big chart paper, but I’ve since created this handy printable board so that I don’t have to draw it out each time! You will also need 100 popsicle sticks each labeled with a number from 1-100. I keep these in one of those metal pails from Target, and you will also need another pail for the sticks to go in once you have pulled them. You will need a board and set of numbers for each class you are using this with – I have used it with up to 4 classes at once! I marked each class’s set of sticks with a different color and then discarded them all into the same tub. If you don’t want to buy or have to label all the popsicle sticks, I have also seen teachers use small slips of paper numbered 1-100, or even just a random number generator online! Here are the rules that I use: The object of the game is to get 10 numbers in a row (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal) and get a bingo. At the start of each class, I write the numbers 1 2 3 on the front whiteboard. During class, I erase a number any time the students are not meeting my expectations, starting with 3, then 2, then 1. At the end of class, however many numbers are left on the board is how many popsicle sticks they get to pull that day. For example, if only the 3 was erased, then they get to pull 2 popsicle sticks. They can earn up to 3 numbers each day. The students pull out the correct number of sticks for that day. I let them take turns. I hold the jar up above their heads so they can’t peek inside. Then I color in the numbers that were pulled on the bingo board. You can certainly adjust these rules to meet your needs. For instance, you could use a smaller or bigger bingo board, depending on how quickly you want them to earn their reward. With the 10×10 board, it usually takes 1-2 months to earn the reward. You could also adjust how many numbers they can earn each day. Another thing you could do is tie the numbers to specific goals. For instance, my students know that at the beginning of class they need to be in their seats with homework out and working on their warmup. If this doesn’t happen, they know I will erase a number. As for the reward, we choose this as a class before beginning the game. I have the students brainstorm ideas (I tell them that they need to be something either relatively inexpensive or free and can only take up about 20-30 minutes of class time) and list them all on the board. Then I have the students vote for their top two choices. Some ideas we have come up with in the past include an ice cream party (I bring the ice cream, they bring the toppings), root beer float party, time outside, free time, board games, donut party, dodgeball, or popcorn and a short movie. I write their choice at the bottom of the bingo board as a reminder of what we are working toward. And that’s it! It’s very easy to keep it running, and it has been very motivating to my students, especially when they are down to only one number left for the day. You can find the printable board that I use in my Teachers Pay Teachers store if you’re interested! Do you have any awesome classroom management strategies? I would love to hear about them in the comments!
If you are anything like me (gosh, I hope not…well, not too much), you’ll love the Dummies series. Did you know they can learn you just about anything from these – from Taxidermy …
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First, a *big* congrats to the two winners of my Bloglovin' Giveaway: Andrea K. & Cathy P.! Check your email, ladies, and you get the choice of any two products from my store :) Now, onto something I am sososo excited about! I came across a fantastic idea on Pinterest from Sugar Blossoms and had to share it with you all as soon as I could! Click the image above to be taken to T.J.'s super-cute site Sugar Blossoms T.J. at Sugar Blossoms not only came up with the greatest set of classroom cheers, she also made reminder cards and videos to show each one- yahoo! As soon as I saw these, I immediately thought of using them as alternatives to our class' 10-Finger Woo! You can read all about that HERE, but the short of it is that anytime a student volunteers/shares an answer/does something awesome in my class, I'll say, "Let's give so-and-so a 10-Finger Woo!" and we'll all wave our fingers at that person and give a short "Woo!". It's a lot of fun :) I'm loving these great alternatives to spice it up throughout our school year- I think my initial favorites are the Firework Cheer, Raise the Roof, and Snap & Cheer. I cannot wait to try them out with next year's class! For more in-depth description of each cheer, as well as a video of each, be sure to head to Sugar Blossoms! Do you use similar cheers in your class? What are some of your favorites?
Cooperative learning. Find out what it's all about and get some great resources to help you use this strategy well in your classroom.
Upper elementary blog with practical, rigorous, classroom tested ideas to implement with your students.
Archive : Classroom Management
1-2-3 Come Make a Social Contract & Some Classroom Rules With Me A classroom social contract is quick, easy and fun for your kiddos. By having a say in making up the rules, (even though they will turn out to be the same as a teacher would think of) makes things seem more “fair” and students more accountable. I love social contracts. I made one up each year no matter what grade I taught. I simply listed my rules on a poster. We discussed why they were important. Then I had everyone raise their right hand and say “I promise to obey our rules.” Older students can simply sign another sheet of paper, to be hung up under the poster, but for younger elementary, I liked to have them trace & cut out their hand print, then write their name on top. Promising, and then signing their name, makes students feel important. It also makes them accountable and more responsible for their actions. Promises are big deals to children, so a social contract gives you a lot of behavior modification leverage. All you have to do when a child gets off track and is breaking the class’s terms of agreement, is to ask, “Did you promise not to do that? Did you sign our contract? How should you act? What should you do?" Sometimes I didn’t even say anything. As a gentle reminder, I’d give the “rule breaker” the proverbial “teachers stare”. Once I made eye contact, I’d point to the contract. They’d follow my glance to the poster and I’d simply pat their name. This gentle reminder, worked wonders. I didn’t call attention to negative behavior, the child wasn’t embarrassed, and the gentle reminder got them back on track. Periodically I’d review our contract, especially after long weekends, and vacations. You can have a whole-group discussion, and ask children to reflect on how they think they’ve done, and ask if you should make additions or changes. Because my social contract has been so successful in my classroom, I decided to share it in my latest creation for TpT. The contract snowballed into a 65-page "School Rules Classroom Management" packet. I think you'll find very useful, as it's "kid-tested & teacher approved" so these positive behavior modification techniques really work, plus they're quick, easy & fun for your kiddos. I've included 4 social contract poster options. Choose one & mount the poster on construction paper, glue it to the center of a piece of tag board. Make a frame of student hand prints either with paint, or by tracing & cutting them out., Because accountability is so important, have children write their name over their print. Besides the social contract posters, the packet is chock full of a variety of ideas & activities for your classroom rules, ensuring a safe, warm, and respectful environment, and includes the following: 2, emergent-reader rule booklets (For more personal accountability there's one with girl graphics as well as one for boys, which students enjoy coloring.) A matching social contract mini poster, and personal “I promise” bookmark. 51 pocket chart promise cards, giving you a broad selection of rule cards to choose from. 15 (rule-oriented motivational) posters 3 options for “Ready-Set-Write the Rules” to help reinforce what you’ve just shared. Several notes home from the children. “I promised!” slap bracelets. My kiddos LOVE them! Using a square of Scotch tape, I fasten them on at the end of our day. This is a quick, easy and super-fun way to reinforce the rules, as parents will be prompted to ask: "What did you promise?" “Actions have consequences” bookmarkMindful of our “P’s & Q” poster & writing prompt My personal favorite: "I have rights; I have responsibilities” posters, plus“We’ve got SWAG” posters, along with matching "I've got SWAG" mini ones. Both are suitable for older students. I hope you find this social contract idea and the rule packet as helpful and successful for your class, as it was for mine. In celebration for getting ready to go back to school, the packet is currently on sale in my TpT shop for just $4.95. Click on the link to pop on over. As always, I have not one, but several FREEBIES for you today! I pulled 10 posters from the packet and rolled them into a Back To School Poster Packet for you. Click on the link to grab these fun FREEBIES today. Well that's it for now. Thanks for stopping by. I'll be watching 2 of my grandchildren today (Kaiden 2 & Kaitlyn 8 months) which is such a joy. There's nothing like the awesome enthusiasm of a child and seeing the world through their adventurous and delighted eyes. Wishing you a love-filled day filled with precious moments. "There are not Seven Wonders of the World in the eyes of a child; there are seven million." -Unknown
No! I did not get laid-off, thank goodness...but I did get creative. I'm sure many of you have seen the following "pink slip" on Pinterest... It was originally featured in an article by the infamous Harry and Rosemary Wong in a 2006 article on Teachers.net. While I don't agree with everything in the article (don't give your students homework until week 3 - ummm, that's not happening), I do love the way that proponents of the pink slip mention that it gives students a bit more responsibility and accountability for their work...and this is what I need...accountability! I'm sure many of us have the same dilemma... Me: Turn in your work to the back Student #1: I don't have a printer at home, can I turn it in tomorrow Me: Sure, just remind me Three weeks later... Student #1: Why did I get a zero on that assingment Me: It was never turned in Student #1: But remember, I didn't have a printer Me: Hmmm...*Glazed over look as I diligently try to decipher the 150,000 conversations I've had with my students in the past 3 weeks* Student #1: I'm sure I turned it in late Me: Hmmmm...I'll look for it...which turns into days of frustration for me, my student, and their parent. I'm hoping that my personal version of the pink slip will change that this year...student didn't turn in homework on time? No problem, I know exactly when and why. Parents can't image that their child wouldn't turn in work? Guess what...here's their signature! And to top it all off, the late grading scale is right on it, and the students has to actually fill it in themselves; I love this because there is then no mistaking how many percentage points were taken off and why...I love classroom clarity! Below is my personal version: It obviously is not pink...because I don't actually know how to use my computer well enough to make the background a different color (seriously...all these cute downloadables from teachers make me a bit jealous...I'll eventually get there). Fortunately I have bright pink printer paper that will make these babies bright enough not to get lost, and if I'm honest, I'm hoping it gives a bit of the "walk of shame" when my students have to fess up to a late assignment in front of everyone. Feel free to use this in your own classroom...I'd make a downloadable version...but of course, I don't know how...cut and paste, maybe? Anyway, enjoy! And of course, so as not to plagiarize...here is the link to the Wongs' article. Happy Pink Slipping! Mrs. V.
Koji The Ninja will teach your students the prepositions of time. Page 1 is the picture dictionary, Page 2 is the practice sheet. I created this little guy having been inspired by PhilipR's Bobby Baloney (thx). Also Thx to Évi who was there when I first drew Koji! Bless up, Kisdobos - ESL worksheets
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The Unfair Game is a totally unfair twist on Jeopardy that your students will LOVE to hate! Learn how to play and find sample game boards in this post.
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An English educator's blog about teaching, classroom organization, and Common Core resources.
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