Master Classroom Management In Eight Weeks Book Review and Giveaway

I was asked by the publishing company, Compass Publishing to review a new classroom management book from Jerry Evanski called "Master Classroom Management In Eight Weeks".  I received a PDF of the book and they are going to give away a physical copy or a PDF to one lucky reader of my blog!  Only US residents can win the physical copy, but if you are international they are happy to send you a PDF of the book.  If you are not the winner you can click on the picture of the book or HERE to order it.  By ordering on this link you will get both the PDF and the physical copy of the book.  It is available on Amazon, but by ordering the physical copy you will not get a PDF of the book on there.  Read on for the review and how to win a copy!

This is an easy to read book that is broken down into 8 weeks with different topics.  The topics are: Getting Attention, Keeping Attention, Engaging Students, Teaching the Lesson, Getting Participation, Giving Directions, Communicating, and Transitioning.  All are critical parts for a smooth running classroom.  Jerry breaks each topic down into smaller topics and skills for each day of the week for each topic.  By following his guide and implementing each part a day at a time you will have mastered classroom management.

I love that he incorporates many of the things that I believe in such as movement, gestures, collaborative groups, partners, encouragement, praise, role playing, and music to name a few.

One strategy under review in week 4 (Friday) is called Ping-pong review.  You use 25 ping pong balls with a number from 1 to 25 on each ball.  Create a list of review topics, vocabulary words, etc. students are working on.  Put the balls on the floor and have your students pick a certain number of balls and then they review that numbered topic or vocabulary word with a partner!

That's just one example of many wonderful ideas in this book.

This giveaway starts at midnight and ends in 5 days.  I will check entries to be sure that you have done what you said you have done.  You will have 48 hours to answer your e-mail after I have drawn a winner or a new winner will be selected.

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You can also follow Compass Publishing on Facebook. 

Stay tuned for another fun Giveaway as I now have over 1,000 followers on TPT!!! 

Thank you for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings.  Keep on smiling!

No Clip Chart? Why Not?

When I first started teaching back in 2003 (Kindergarten) I used a color system as the majority of primary teachers do.  I used that system for 2 1/2 years and realized it just isn't the best system.  Children crying when they move their clip, parents not understanding the colors and getting children in trouble for warnings, taking too much time filling out calendars during the last half an hour instead of teaching children, children winding up at the bottom by 9 or 10am with no way to move down further, etc. I knew I needed to change things up.  I did eventually try it again in 2013-2014 school year since I took children from other teachers after the start of the year to help with class size.  I figured the children were used to it and so I should make the transition easier.  I eventually got rid of it that year as it just didn't work and took too much of my time. 

So you ask what do I do?  For many years I used banks for positive reinforcement.  Children got coins and went shopping in the store.  This taught children how to count and give back change.  I did NOT fine them for breaking rules.  The only time they lost money and it was all of it was if they opened up their bank prior to store day.  That was a very rare occurrence. 

I love 1-2-3 Magic!  Very simply you count down the child when he or she is breaking a rule.  That's 1.  That's 2 (if he or she continues breaking that rule).  That's 3!  When it gets to 3 it is straight to time out they go.  No waiting until recess.  It's immediate.  No notifying parents unless it became excessive and I needed parent help.  They don't need to know each time a child goes to timeout.  When they do know every time it's you're picking on my child.  Check out 1-2-3 Magic by clicking on the book.

Then I started reading and learning about another system that I truly love called Whole Brain Teaching.  This system has many components.  I love using Class/Yes to get children's attention and calling out a rule number if a child is breaking that rule.  The children immediately say that rule and do that gesture that goes with the rule.  I also still use 1-2-3 Magic when the child just won't stop.

Whole Brain Teaching has also come up with a new book that you can check out by clicking on the picture that has 122 different academic and classroom management games!  What child doesn't like games?  I have yet to read this book, but look forward to doing so soon as I have seen how much games engage children.

This post contained affiliate links.

What classroom management plan do you use?  Why do you like or don't like the clip chart? 

Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings!
Keep on smiling!

Daily Parent Communication

Many of us send home communication on a daily basis to parents on how their child behaves in school each day.  Some of us use planners that the school provides and others a calendar.  We mark it with a color or a happy, straight, or sad face and typically send home a note if the child had a bad day and/or call or e-mail home.

Graphic and Border from Ashley Hughes

I have had years where it was mandated to do this and other years where it was my choice.  Having done it both ways, it is my opinion that it works best without daily communication.  Why?

• Parents don't need to know each time a child is in timeout and why.  It becomes a "you are picking on my child battle" with some parents.  I would rather notify parents after a child has had several tough days or done something sever that warrants a phone call.  Then they are more likely to help. 
• It takes more time for the teacher to call, e-mail, or write a note about each child who has a difficult day.
• Children are having to do something independent at the end of the school day so you have the time to mark the planners or calendars.  This takes away valuable instruction time.
• It sends mixed signals home.  When I would mark a child had a yellow day, the parent would give the child a consequence at home.  Yellow for many of us simply means the child received a warning.  Last year, I had children who would cry when they were on yellow because they would get in trouble at home, even though, I made parents aware that yellow was only a warning.
• Children tend to be much happier in school without a daily behavior report.
• Many parents don't even look at the calendar or planner.

I would love to hear why you are for daily parent communication or why you are against it.  Leave a comment, which I will approve within 24 hours or hop on over to my Facebook page where we have many great discussions and I share ideas and free products on a daily basis.

Thank you for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings!  Keep on smiling!

Get Your Class Quiet!

Do you ever need your students to stay quiet for a predetermined amount of time?  I'm sure we all do at some point.  I found a neat idea on Pinterest (I've seen several versions and I'm not sure who first came up with it) to make "Quiet Critters."  This is a fun DIY to make!

Using felt, a pom pom, and googly eyes is all it takes to make a quiet critter.  Put one on each student's desk or in front of them at their table when you need them to be quiet.  Any student who stays quiet the whole time (unless they raise their hand) gets a treat of some sort or a special privilege from you.

I decided to make mine all one color so there isn't fighting over who gets what color.

I am hoping to get a job so I can give this idea a try in the classroom!  School starts Monday so it looks like it will be after the class size count again.

Do you have any tips and tricks to share on how you get your students quiet for a long period?

Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings.  Keep on smiling! 

Brag Tags Review

I am so thrilled to get the opportunity to review some Brag Tags from imagestuff.com.  I was given the opportunity to pick Brag Tags from their website or create my own.  I decided to create my own. Click the picture to follow imaginestuff.com on their blog for for free downloads and tips.  You can also find them on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/imagestuff/pins/ and https://www.facebook.com/imagestuff

The first one says Kindness Counts and has my name at the bottom of it.  I wanted this one because as a substitute teacher and even when I was a teacher (hope to be again soon), I try so hard to get children to be kind to everyone.  There are many children who have gone over and beyond to be kind to me.  I also see children help others who are crying, go play with children who says they have no one to play with, sweep up the room without me asking, be the only one to clean up a mess, etc.  I wanted to find something that I could hand to these children for being so kind and I thought a Brag Tag would work in any grade level.

The 2nd one I had imagestuff.com make was Best Effort.  As a sub there are times when I get children who just won't try to do their work.  They whine or say "I can't."  I wanted something to be able to give a student who shows that they are going to try no matter how hard the work is.  The brag tags seemed to be the best bet so I had them design me for Best Effort.

I have so far subbed in classes with Kindergarten through 2nd graders and their eyes lit up each time I handed a child one.  They thank me so much and say that they love it.  They love that I included my name.  I was told by one teacher the child wore is Best Effort one to school the next day.  This was a child who typically whines at me because I won't spell a word for him.  He didn't whine once the whole day so I surprised him with the Brag Tag!

You can get brag tags for attendance, character, academics, awards for field trips, etc.  They come in a variety of different shapes: hearts, shamrocks, dog tags, skateboards, circles, etc.  You can pick from ones that are already designed or personalize your own!  The delivery was quick.  They hold up well with the chains that you can purchase for an additional cost.  Children can wear them or put them on their backpack.  They are a hit for me as a sub and I have no doubt they will be for you.  I plan to use them with all grade levels through 6th grade!

Have you ever used Brag Tags?  If so how did it go?  If not, how could you use the Brag Tags in your classroom?

Disclaimer: I was given some Brag Tags to use for this review.  I was not paid any money and I gave my own honest opinion. 

Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings.  Keep on smiling!

Thanksgiving Freebies

Did I say freebies?  That's right I have a couple of great freebies just for you!

The first one is a Thanksgiving grammar sort.  Children will sort nouns, adjectives, and verbs.  I used the same picture on all 3 so students will have to think in order to sort them.  This freebie is part of my 3rd grade Common Core Thanksgiving packet.  You can check out more information on it by clicking Here.

Click on the picture to get your freebie!

My next freebie continues my Positive Behavior Fun notes!  You can get the freebie by clicking on the picture below.

More Freebies can be found here:

Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings.  Keep on smiling!

March Behavior Notes

First off I just hit 200 facebook fans! whohohoooooo!!!!  Thanks so much to all of you who have stopped by to like that page.  If you aren't a fan on my facebook page head on over now!  Facebook Fan Page!  How about a freebie today and a giveaway/contest starting on Wednesday?

I know, it's not quite March yet, but it's better to be ready ahead of time right?  I created these awesome positive behavior notes for March with shamrocks.  There are two different sayings.  One is a fun one, use them both or use the one you like best.

I use these in the classroom by picking a day of the week, putting all names on them and dating them.  Any child who has a good day gets to take it home to their parents.  It keeps the children on their toes to behave because they really want one!  I even tried them in a 3rd/4th grade classroom for February and the students got super excited!  I believe these will work great all the way through 5th or 6th grade.  It builds great great parent/teacher relationships due to the communication and great student/teacher relationships as the students feel so good to receive them!  Click the picture to go to my TPT store to download them for free.  If you don't have an account you can set it up for free!

You can also click the pictures below to go to my blog posts and get your freebies for January and February.  Those up in the cold north can probably still use the Penguins, which are my most popular download!

Brian :-)