Saturday, October 19, 2013

Class Dojo


As a first year teacher, I came into the school year with great ideas for classroom management.  However, like all great ideas, mine failed for my current students.  Telling one of my 2nd graders to 'Take a Break' was anything but successful.  I was desperate after the first few weeks of school and all my ideas were failing.  Then, I came across one of the best discoveries since peanut butter (or put in your choice of guilty pleasure)...
(Click Above for Link)

This is a great management tool that will allow you to track not only misbehavior, but students' positive choices.  Below is a informational video:


Here are a couple supplementary items I created to help my classroom become more motivated about earning points.


         

I use the above rewards to show appreciation for the kids that work hard.  Also, in my classroom, we work as a team, so I wanted to reward team work monthly.  To track student points, I use the Dojo Tracker.


Every day, I announce who had the most points and how they received the points.  This special person gets their name on the Dojo Master Board and gets to sit in a special chair the next day as the Dojo Master.

Finally, I created Dojo Dollars.  If you rather hand out money than track points, here is a link to a FREEBIE printable money that I created.


Thanks for stopping!  Happy Managing!

Thursday, August 29, 2013

New Classroom Reveal!

It has been awhile since my last post, but things have changed!  I am now a proud 2nd grade teacher.  I am excited, nervous, and every other emotion that goes on during back to school, but I know one thing...year is going to be amazing!

I have been busy getting my classroom ready for my lovely children, and here is how it ended up looking just before the meet the teacher!

Group Rug:

Calendar:

Classroom Library:


 Writing Center and Word Wall:

Math Board/Listening Center/Word Work Area:

Teacher Desk (I hope to get rid of my desk next year, but for now it is put against the wall to take up less space):

Book Boxes (Gotta Love Ikea):

Guided Reading/Math Table (Looks empty, but will fill up quickly with kids work):

Student Mailboxes and Turn In Basket:

Desk at Meet the Teacher (The Kids LOVED the Cookies!):

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Quiet Place Class Book


A great way to discuss a way for children to find a calming space is to read A Quiet Place.  It is a great story that allows kids to see that simple places in their lives can be used to relax and get away from loud and unpleasant things.  We then went on to create our own Quiet Place book for the kids to read in our quiet 'One Spot'.


Have them start by creating quilted border pages.  You can use any size page you like, but I cut construction paper in half.  Provide strips of paper for the kids to cut into squares/rectangles and glue along the edge.


Have the students draw in their quiet place and write or dictate their description.  Tie the pages together with yarn and share their beautiful story.  Make sure to place it in a spot dedicated to calming bodies.