REMIND

"Helping teachers connect instantly with students and parents."

Class Dojo

Last year I had the opportunity to work for a few months with a super-challenging class. As I was challenged with short attention and defiant behaviors in the classroom I sampled and searched for possible classroom management/classroom discipline tools that would accommodate this busy moving class. In my search I came across ClassDojo an online behavior management tool.


This classroom management tool allows you to customize both positive and negative awards to your classroom rules. Students can earn points for positive behaviors and lose points for negative behaviors. It is very easy to set up with your class list. Each student is assigned an avatar. (Students can customize their own avatars.)






There is also a mobile app that allows teachers to activate student accounts anytime anyplace. (On the playground, on field trips, in lunchroom...)

ClassDojo also allows a unique tool for parental involvement. Parents can track and print their children’s individual reports weekly.

I find ClassDojo to be one of the greatest “Free” online tools for managing student behavior.


Click here to get STARTED!

Happy Birthday

Students love to celebrate birthdays at school, as it is a memorable time to share with teachers and friends. Birthdays are the best. Not only are you celebrating the fact that you are a year older than you were previously, but all kids love the presents, cards, and the cake! Even if you go to school on your birthday, it is still just as fun and a special day as it should be. As the Wellness Policy has made several changes to the food items allowed in our schools we are now seeing the promotion of healthy snacks during these celebrations.  

Make no mistake: The music and songs are all our shining stars really need for their celebration!
Here are some of our "Party" songs we play for our Birthday Kiddos:

The Happy Birthday Song

Happy Birthday Song | Happy Birthday To You

Congratulations - Happy Birthday Minions - Best Of ...

Gummi Bear - Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Party Song Music

Garfield Happy Birthday Dance

Big Pig

To open our new weekly Anthology story (Big Pig by David McPhail) we will learn: "The Big Pig Song"-
A catchy song to start our week off right!
The Big Pig Song

We have a class full of dancing stars this year who enjoy to show off their dancing moves.  When our schedule allows us 10 free minutes at the end of school on Friday we open our dance floor for the children to showcase their special moves.

We're hoping to close our week with our dance floor open so that we can play the DJ version of our new song that will make everyone move!
The Big Pig SongThe Big Pig Song (DJ Aktiv Mix)

Mr. Potato Head

Teamwork is essential in today's diverse classrooms —the ability to cooperate and communicate with others to reach common goals.

Gr. 3 Punch Cards

Weekly Punch Cards

Weekly punch cards are used as a tracking system. (They are similar to an employee time card.) I keep them hanging on a ring in an area that I can reach easily to reward the children when money is earned. At the end of the day on Friday, it is their responsibility to complete the math portion for their weekly designated responsibilities*.  When a total amount has been determined they must have a friend double check their work then sign their card. Earned punch cards are then dropped in the "Completed Punch Hole Box". Paychecks are issued on Monday. 

It is their responsibility to hold their checks in a safe place until the Oliver Bank is open. I stress the importance of an organized desk in keeping their checks safe. When the bank is open students have the option to ask for cash back (Oliver Dollars), or save it in their accounts.

*Designated Responsibilities:  I change the weekly responsibilities to match a specific skill we are learning. I also modify/individualize the expectations for individual students when needed.

Gr.3-Classroom Jobs

Classroom Jobs

Ensuring that students take an active role in maintaining the classroom

I assign classroom jobs on a rotating basis.

Every day students hold jobs in the classroom community.  Each job is a paid position, and students receive credits in their accounts that cna be cashed in for Oliver Dollars (our classroom money) at the Oliver Bank every other Friday.

JOBS FOR TEAM OLIVER:

1.     Homework Helper/Assistant: The homework checkers check off students who turn in all homework assignments each day.  Staple new homework packets together and place in student cubbies. (Helps the teacher pass out Homework Folders at the end of the day.)

2.     Attendance Secretary: Takes attendance and brings it to office.

3.     Line Leader: Leads the class everywhere we go, and manages the line for talkers and stragglers. It is your line, Take it seriously and keep us quiet!

4.     Caboose: Lines up at the end of the line each time we leave room, Make sure the door is closed when we leave the room.  If the train leaves the room and you are not on board, the Caboose notifies Erika or Anne.

5.     Class Photographer: Takes photos of special events/lessons.

6.     Substitute: Fills in for anyone that is absent or helps any student who may request extra help with their job.

7.     Supervisor: Supervises that the jobs are being completed.

8.     Trash Stasher: Picks up large scraps, and dusts.

9.     Equipment Manager: Makes sure that all equipment has been signed out and then returned.

10. Class Librarian: The class librarian changes the "book nook" rotation chart each day and makes sure that the library books are organized correctly.

11. News Reporter:  Announces news, calendar, and weather.

12.  Plant Manager: Waters plants as needed

13.   Class Messenger: The messenger does all errands for the teacher when necessary.  Answers the telephone in the classroom when Erika & Anne are busy helping students.

14.   Class Banker: The Banker cashes all students' checks on Payday, stamping the checks with PAID and initialing the back to show that the check was received.

15.   Class Cashier: The cashier works at the class store.  He or she takes the Oliver Dollars and makes change for student shoppers.

TABLE CAPTAINS:

In charge of table (groups), gets materials and books when needed.  Makes sure the table is alert when the “Give Me Five” command is given!

Bucket Fillers

BUILDING GOOD CHARACTER IN OUR STUDENTS

Bucket Fillers is a program based on the educational programs of Merrill Lundgren, the Bucket Man.  Carol McCloud wrote the children’s book Have You Filled a Bucket Today: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids. This book tells the story of how we all carry invisible buckets that hold our feelings. When our buckets are full, we are happy; when they are empty, we are sad. It is important that students learn that when they fill a friend's bucket, they also fill their own bucket because it feels good to make others happy.

Goals of the Bucket-Filling school program: 

1. To teach children how to reach out and express love, respect and appreciation to others

2. To help children become other-centered rather than self-centered

3. To help children express their feelings (good and bad) in a healthy manner

4. To help children understand where feelings originate and how to protect their feelings from being hurt

5. To establish a framework for more constructive words and actions and less bullying

6. To create more positive home and school environments

Gr.3-Class Pledge



Every morning we end our Morning Meetings with our Team Oliver pledge.

It’s a team-building activity that helps reinforce our commitment to being a happier, successful, more productive classroom.

It’s very exciting to see all of the students participate

in the Team Pledge with confidence and dynamism!!!

With Team Oliver:

I have the right to make mistakes.

I have the right to learn.

My teachers want me to learn.

I make mistakes so I can learn.

I am in school to learn.

I learn so I can succeed.

I want to learn.

I am good at learning.

I believe in myself.

I am wonderful.

I am somebody.

I like to learn.

I will always try my best.

Together we will LEARN!

"Give Me Five"

What my "Give Me Five" in the classroom really means!

I place a laminated copy of my "Give Me Five" reminder on each desk.

Gr.3-All-Star Motivation

I designated a bulletin board in my room for this great

All-Star motivation tool.

In the middle of the bulletin board I enlarged this:

I then filled the board with the following baseballs that were all individualized for each student.

 I rewarded students by simply placing a sticker on their baseball

when being inspired by something they did or achieved.

I also gave them the opportunity to place earned stickers on their individualized

baseballs when they excelled on a quiz or test!

Gr.K-Quiet Spray

Magic in a Bottle

I initially began spraying my "Quiet Spray" to quiet the children as we lined up in the classroom in preparation for quiet walking in the halls.  The children were so fascinated by the powers in the magic spray that I also use the spray in various

stages of our daily schedule as a quiet tool for the children!!

Stop...Look...Listen

 I often use this when trying to get the attention of the full group.

Together we say the words aloud as well as do the hand motions for each step.

(STOP)

(LOOK)

(LISTEN)