Classroom Management - Class DOJO

Okay, I'm officially a convert to Classdojo http://www.classdojo.com/. Crossed paths with it last spring and wasn't sure I was sold.  I wasn't sure how effective it would be and how well it could be managed. However, a couple of teachers in my school used it successfully last year and love it, so I thought, "I have to give this a try.  I refuse to be outdone on the use of Technology in my classroom."  I'm not really that competitive, but I do love technology and employing it in my classroom whenever I can.

For those who may not be familiar with Classdojo, you have to check it out. It's FREE and super fast to set up your class. Each student is set up with a cute little avatar that you award points to for behaviors you choose.  You also can remove points for behaviors you choose.  For example, we are a PBIS school, so I award my students points when they demonstrate respect, responsibility, and/or safe behavior (our school expectations).  I remove points if they demonstrate behaviors that run counter to these expectations such as talking when they should be listening or out of their seat.  At the end of the day, these points transfer into school "Tiger Tracks" that the kiddos collect and redeem for prizes once a month or so.  There are consequences if by chance a student ends the day with no points (phone call home) or negative points (a referral).  Hopefully, that rarely happens in your classroom. 

The fun part for students (besides earning Tiger Tracks) is each has an avatar and they get an access code to change their avatar if they like. Also, parents can track their child's classroom behavior at home.  I must say that my kids love it and so do I.  

I open it up on my computer in the morning (it can be projected onto the SmartBoard whenever I want throughout the day), award a point to each student for being responsible and coming to school (and on time), then minimize it.  I can maximize it whenever I want to award/remove points for the whole class or individual students.  Oh, and the best part, leave the volume up and the students can hear when someone is awarded a point (cheery ding) or had a point removed (sad badum).  It takes very little effort and is so effective.  I can access a variety of reports, which allow me to analyze how the class did for the day, week, month, etc.  I can see what behaviors are being awarded points and which ones are a problem and the time of day these are occurring.  So much potential to use with the whole class.  

Classroom Management Board

My Classroom Management Board

Happy Saturday!  Thought I would post the part of my whiteboard that I use for all my classroom management items.  I have already shared my Brag Tags and Jungle Jobs, so look at the top left where you'll see my magnetic spinner that I use for birthdays.  The birthday child gets to spin the wheel and win a prize.  Some of my prizes include: lunch with the teacher; a free book pick; a class game; or a homework pass.  The kids really love it and the prizes are basically FREE. 

 

The spinner here is made by Educational Insights. I purchased mine for about $30, but depending on where you buy, it can be as high as $45, so search Amazon and check other sites for the best price.  The spinner comes with several different sizes of inserts that can be easily changed, so it can be used for many purposes.  It can be used, among other things, to practice math, language arts, and be a student selector. 

 

Behavior Chart

This behavior chart was something new I tried this year.  This was actually part of a package of jungle theme items I purchased from Teachers Pay Teachers.  I was never a fan of the stoplight or the large pocket chart type where you had kids turn cards or sticks or something.  I found alternatives that worked to some degree, but this chart has worked the best by far.  I have absolutely no idea why, but it does. 

 

Each day, the kids begin as a TOP BANANA.  If they misbehave by not following a classroom rule or are in some way not being respectful, responsible, and safe (our school PBIS rules) then the student must move their name down a spot.  There are two spots (chances) before they move to the bottom - Adventure Over! - and receive a referral.  I probably break some classroom management professor's rule, but if the kid is doing well after they move down a spot, after an hour or so, I'll let them know they are doing well and tell them to move their name back up.  Rarely, do they get in trouble again that day, so it does seem to work, and they aren't stuck looking at their "mistake" all day.  At the end of the day, the kids always check the board and seemed thrilled to announce that everyone ended as a TOP BANANA, so they all receive a Tiger Track (our PBIS reward that the kids collect and trade in for prizes every couple of months).

 

Bucket Fillers Display

This is my Bucket Fillers display and the first year I have tried this program.  At the beginning of the year, I read Have You Filled a Bucket Today by Carol McCloud and David Messing.  The students and I discussed the difference between being a bucket filler and a bucket dipper.  I was actually surprised at how much the students embraced the ideas.  Each student has their own bucket and they insisted that I needed a bucket, too, so I added the one at the top for myself.  They fill the buckets with compliments and Tiger Tracks (those are the reddish colored papers).  Yes, the kids actually give away their own Tiger Tracks (these are like money!) to other students to make them feel good if that student is having a bad day.  Such sweet kiddos!  Just gotta love those 2nd Graders!

Brag Tags - A Great Motivational Tool

 

Is anyone else using Brag Tags?  I just became aware of these over the summer and was immediately drawn to them.  I just knew that my students would love them and they do.  I visited www.imagestuff.com to peruse the offerings and couldn't get over how darn cute they all are.  I decided to go with tags that would cover achievement for attendance (each quarter), math (XtraMath addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division), reading (100 books read and 100 pts for AR), and a special one that all students received for being a part of our 2nd grade class.  I designed three of them myself and the rest are the company's designs.  You can see all of them in the picture below.  I use this display to remind the kids what they are working towards. 

 

 

Next to the display, I have numbered (the student's number in class) magnets (I found these in the school supplies clearance section at Walmart) that hold up each student's chain with their Brag Tags displayed.  Oh, those chains - I purchased them from Imagestuff, too.  As the students earn tags, we have a little acknowledgement ceremony and I add the tag to their chain.  I was very concerned about students breaking and losing their chains before the year is over, so we keep them displayed and they get to wear them during the school day when they receive a new tag and for our school's quarterly award ceremonies.  They are just such sweet kiddos.  They get so tickled when one of their classmates receives a new tag that they will actually walk over to congratulate the student.