Classroom Management Linky

So excited that the sweet ladies over at What the Teacher Wants decided to host a Classroom Management Linky!  I am always on the lookout for new and exciting things to encourage my kiddos to make good choices.  

 

 

 

Unfortunately I have been SICK as a dog this week.  All stinkin' week.  I should have gone to the doctor sooner but of course at the peak of feeling yucky, I had back to school night Tuesday night.  That was...fun.  To top it off, Andy has an eye infection and he can't exactly do his job (he's a firefighter) with glasses so he's been out of work this week too.  Our house is a hot, hot mess. We need a biohazard sign on the front door.

 

 No worries though, Sawyer has been taking very good care of us. His bedside manner is incredible. ;)

 

 

 

I took a half day Wednesday to go to the doctor and got some antibiotics.  Then, as much as it KILLED me to take a day so early in the year...I broke down and took today off.  I absolutely detest missing a day of school.  I'm glad I did though.  I got some much needed rest and even though I'm far from 100%, I think I'll be able to make it in tomorrow to finish up our apple unit with crockpot applesauce and biscuits as a special treat for my babies!

 

My classroom will smell so yummy, can't wait!

 

My unexpected day off made me realize I need to quit procrastinating and go ahead and put Rachelle's Substitute Survival Kit together!  I've had it for a while and it is fantastic.  I just need to print it out and fix it up with my info....no more procrastinating!  If you don't have some emergency sub plans go ahead and grab her kit and get ready...just in case.

 

OK...here we go.  My classroom management plan is pretty simple, but it works for me.

 

We have a schoolwide program that our fabulous guidance counselor implements that goes along with this sweet book.

 

 

We put marbles in a bucket anytime they make good decisions as a class or an adult catches someone being a bucket filler.  I like to acknowledge when a student helps pick up someone's crayons that fell in the floor, when I hear someone give another student a compliment, or when I see partners working nicely together, etc.

 

When they earn 10 marbles in their bucket...we get a star to display outside of our door.  The colors of the paper stars change each 6 weeks so everyone can keep track of how many stars each class has earned.  I add a little extra "incentive" and tell them that if we earn 3 stars before the colors change, we will have a class celebration (donuts, popsicle party, lunch in the classroom, or something similar!)

 

For an individual classroom management plan, I use these products from my absolute favorite teacher store, Creative Teaching Press.

 

Students collect these tickets:

 And store them in their desk in these cute little library pockets with their names written on them.

 

I give out tickets all...day...long.  There are ALWAYS some in my laundry room closet at home because I just carry them around all day in my pockets...ready to pass out if I "catch" a student doing anything spectacular!  If they are the first one to follow directions, if they are working extra hard, if they use good manners...anything goes!

 

On Fridays, we count our tickets.

 

If a student has 10 tickets, they turn them in and get to write their name on one of these.

 

 

Then, at the end of each month...we have a raffle for prizes and special privileges (lunch in the room with a buddy from ANY first grade class is a favorite!)

 

I use a lot of books (from Scholastic), small toys, coloring books candy etc. for the prizes.  Some are bigger, some are small. 

 

I try to get one or two big things to save for last.  I have a feeling this month, it is going to be one of these guys...

 

 

My kids loooove them some Pete.  They will go bananas over him.  I have one that lives in our classroom and they just adore it.

 

Another way they can earn a ticket is by being picked for "Mystery Walker." I posted about how it works here.

 

 

 

The ticket system keeps everything nice and simple for the most part...and then I just have to get things together for one raffle each month.

 

I prefer to use a positive approach to classroom management, because it helps me stay more positive....but don't you worry.  I take a ticket or two on occasion.  They don't like to lose their tickets, so it's effective.

 

Set aside some time to head over and read the other awesome classroom management tips at What the Teacher Wants.

 

So many awesome ideas. :)

 

Also...don't forget to enter the giveaway for my new Sight Word Super Pack in my previous post. 

 

 

 

Giveaway ends TOMORROW!

 

Happy Friday to you!