What time is it? Linky Time!

I'm linking up with The Applicious Teacher

click here to check out more ideas or to link up

and Just Reed

click here to go to the linky

Let's talk about behavior management!

Whole Class
Marble jar!
I have a marble jar system in my classroom. I can give or take marbles for any reason! I give them for perfect attendance, everyone having their homework (with their names on it), good hallway choices, overall good behavior, compliments, etc. I can take them out for not doing the above things, too.

I live 30 minutes from school and didn't want to make that journey just for a marble jar pictures. So, I searched Pinterest. My jars look different but here' the gist. Once they earn all of 'their' marbles we have a "Marble Party" which can be anything from pajama day to playing with play dough. Really whatever you have time to implement and encourages your kiddos to do their personal best.

Source

Individual
I'm sure you all know--and may be tired of hearing about--the use of my clip chart in my classroom.

to get this clip chart (or rainbow variation) source

On day one I explain my expectations and procedures. I don't have a tangible set of rules though. We model good and bad choices. Those first few days/weeks are really about setting the framework for the rest of the year.

I start it very early in the year. It's always rough to have that first kid clip down but it has to be done. So, I really try to focus on good choices and clipping up the first few days of school .

As the year goes on I really try to make it difficult or something special to clip up. We start every day on 'Ready to Learn' and this is my expectation--so moving up means you were above and beyond expectation...not just following directions. Again, I like this because it's an overall average of the day's behavior not just the lowest low like when I did card flips. I mean, card flips are supposed to deter bad behavior...so if they're working and a kiddo changes their behavior that should be reflected in the management plan, right?

At the end of the day the kids fill out their chart so mom & dad can see how their day went. (This chart evolved through the year) Here are three different versions:

 I start off with this one because it mirrors the clip chart and gets the parents familiar with it. I print it in b&w so we have to do a mini-lesson on where to color because most first graders cannot read it in August. My co-teacher numbered her recording page and clip chart to make it easier for the kids.

This is the first version--and the one included in my TpT bundle

I made this one when I had parents asking why their child clipped down because their child 'forgot'. (okay--sometimes the forgot was legit because I couldn't always remember either)

I ended up moving to this recording page because the parents were familiar with the color code and my expectations. I also like that it was a pictorial overview of the month. Maybe we could trend positive and negative behavior. So, if every Monday is yellow or orange maybe something is happening on the weekends or transitioning back to school on Mondays is difficult and we need to discuss this. 

If a kiddo makes it to the top of my clip chart (wow, btw) they get a jewel on their clip and get a Dum-Dum from my Dum-Dum plant.

I always tell them that it might have been easy (even if it's not) to get to the top---not the tough part is to stay there!

After 5 jewels I glitter their clip:

This coming school year I'll glitter it and retire it. (Here's one of the retired pages in my new set of clip chart stuff)

I do not do other prizes or rewards. They get a kick out of the jewels. I do enforce consequences for being on orange or red. This is usually time off recess but varies. (It would also vary depending on your school corp--I know some school cannot take their recess time away and need to have other consequences)


Extra
There are always those weeks/days before a break that can be crahazy! I'll continue to use my clip chart but I also bring out my PB board. (PB is Personal Best) The kids will use their classroom number and sign a square on the coordinate grid (math integration!). At the end of the week if it's full I pull out a popsicle stick with coordinates on it and they get a trip to the prize box or candy jar. I only do the drawing if it gets full--also if it fills up the kids can double up.

{source: My mentor teacher}

I have some other handwriting, spelling test, and attention grabber ideas but I'll save those for another post.

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Goodbye Google Reader, Hello BlogLovin'

First of all I'd like to say that I don't even use Google reader. By the time I really go into the blog world (like steady reading and then writing) I had my iPad. I had a friend that used FlipBoard for following RSS feed and she recommended it to me. I mean, I had blogs in Google Reader but I didn't utilize it.

I created a FlipBoard account on my iPad and linked FB, local news, Google Reader, etc to it and I can flip through it like a magazine. (These images are from a previous post from the fall)

landscape

portrait

I just got this in an email (while I was writing up this post, crazy!)

I've done some reading and even though Google Reader is leaving good 'ol Google Friend Connect (where you click to follow blogs) is not. So, I'm keeping that on my blog and that is how I'll track my followers and  I'll use that number for blogging milestones and giveaways. 

Today I linked my blog up with BlogLovin'. I also downloaded the iPad app. You can sign up with either your FB or an email. I opted for email. 

At top is the standard Google follower (I'm keeping this and so are most bloggers--and below is the new BlogLovin' follower widget)

Here's what the app looks like:

If you choose to go the BlogLovin' route please continue to follow me. It imported all of my Google Reader blogs that I follow. I'm off to update my FlipBoard. You can always go the tried and true route and get on an actual computer (gasp! lol) to read new posts.

Do you use a different blog reading method?

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Behavior Clip Chart Revamped

For the last two years I've used a clip chart in my classroom. Before that I used card flips. I liked card flips but found that they focused too much on bad choices....so when a student had a rough morning  and when they went home and showed their parents my recording page it looked like that had a bad day. (I still keep my card flip chart, recording pages, and cards for when I need to make a change or 'crack the whip')

I liked the clip chart because it gave me an opportunity to focus on good choices as well. I did this verbally but this was a good visual for the kids. It also let the kids turn their behavior/attitude around. I feel that when the parents see my new recording pages they get an overall view of the whole day.

Here is my original clip chart:
(it was on my summer bucket list to revamp)

I really like it--but it needs a make-over. I'm going to chalk it up to my first attempts and when I first got started creating more classroom things.

Right now I don't have a good color printer (on my summer to buy wish-list-----side question: do you prefer laser or ink jet and why?)

Here are some choices that I'll have when it's time to print and laminate and put this bad boy together!

click here

click here

click here

click here

No, I don't have a Pirate room but one of my work-besties does so I revamped what I made her. 

You can find them all here in a bundle with my Classroom Management Resources.  Where you'll see different types of Management Resources. If you've already purchased this item then please go and re-download to get the updates.

Original blog post here

OR
If you know the clip chart is for you and you don't want to see other Management Resources click here to get only the clip chart images. (They are a bundled set--not sold individually) I will be giving away one set of the new bundle to the first comment with an email!

Is there a theme that you have in your classroom that you're just dying to see a clip chart to match?

Journal Template & 6-Traits

Hey everyone! Today (in real life, not blog life) I'm attending my first professional development of the summer. I'll be attending a 3hr pd for using iPads in the classroom for K-1. I really hope I learn some awesome things for my classroom. I only have one iPad right now so it'd be great to learn some new ways to integrate it into my teaching. I'll be sure to share how it goes.


But for today in blogland.....
You can find my journal writing post over at Teaching Blog Roundup today. Head on over to see how I use 6-Traits and to get a free journal template. :D

click here to go read it

Filling Word Art & Shapes

Hey everyone! Happy Thursday. :D Thank you for all of your well wishes. I'm starting to feel like a real person again. I am slowly joining the ranks of nose breather again. (Something I was starting to fear would never happen)

During this time I've have a lot of indoor time to myself. Instagram, blogs, FB, and and cable tv have been my friends. I've been going back and updating some early creations (oh.my.word.--I mean, I'm proud of my creations but not to toot my own horn but I'm way better a year later). I wanted to fancify (yeah, it's a word--just don't try to use it in Scrabble or Words with Friends) some of my products. It reminded me of something I saw on Pinterest and from Ashley Hughes from The School Supply Addict. 

Well, one thing lead to another and I decided to create this video to help some of you PowerPoint Mac users. (I tried making this video like 5x...dogs barked, emails popped up, I coughed...sigh. Hopefully it can help you)

Very Tardy Currently

It's June (nope, not the first anymore--but I'm still linking up!)

Listening-->
Now, I prefer the Bob Barker era but I was drawn in this morning. It was always a dream of mine to play Plinko and spin the big wheel!!

Loving--> I haven't had to set an alarm in days. I'm very much looking forward to this for weeks and weeks to come.

Thinking--> So you may have noticed that I'm kinda late on linking up--I even missed a 5 for Friday :( Well...I'm sick. Like I feel awful...well felt awful.  I couldn't get into the doctor until Monday (yesterday) morning. I have an upper respiratory infection and I'm all kinds of gross. I had a fever over the weekend, too. I've spent a lot of cuddle time with my couch and my blanket. So, I'm on 4x a day antibiotics and today is my first day of normalcy....meaning I'm upright on the couch. I also had a toothache but couldn't go in until I could breathe through my nose. Fun summer break start, huh?

Wanting--> Energy
I am feeling a bit better today but I wish I was taking advantage of this great June weather. I know all too soon it'll be muggy. Luckily my pups also enjoy some lazy couch time.

Needing-->To clean this place up

To say that with the end of year chaos and my recent sickness that I've let this place go would be an understatement. I'm just saying that if you showed up I'd be mortified. So I'll be deep cleaning soon.

3 vacay essentials-->So whether you're doing a 'staycay' in your hometown or going off somewhere beachy I think you could use:

Sunscreen! I had some kiddos tell me they didn't need it because they tanned. I got into serious Miss Cosby mode. I like the spray kind. 

Sunglasses! Okay, not only are they cute but they're functional

Book! (or stack of mags) I got an ereader a few years ago. I love it. At the time I decided to go Nook and I'm still happy with it. No, it's not fancy and I can't get apps on it. But I have an iPad if I want those fancy things. I wanted e-ink so my eyes wouldn't strain over time and so there wouldn't be glare in the sunlight. Also, since it's a few years old and not fancy schmancy I won't be uber said if it gets sandy or if I leave it behind. (sad but not as sad as ruining my iPad)

I know I'm late and most of you that do this linky have already linked up but if you haven't head on over!

Parent Gifts

I've had some great parent volunteers this year. I have an AWESOME room mom who is generous and organized and a former teacher at my school. I've also made, bought, printed, and laminated a ton of classroom stuff this year. Well, one of the options on my parent volunteer form was to cut out papers, copy, staple, etc for me. I really really dislike cutting out laminated stuff so these parents have been a life saver!

I've come across some great ideas on Pinterest. I decided to go with hand lotion and a "Helping Hands" tag.

It was a toss-up between soap or lotion. Bath and Body words had their "Signature Collection" products Buy 3 Get 3 Free. I decided to go with 'Country Chic' lotions for my parent helpers. I bought little gift bags at Michael's and some ribbon for them, too.

I'm going to attach these tags (on my copy I added my name to that blank spot but I left it there in case you wanted to sign yours)

right-click the image and save it OR click here to get the direct .jpeg