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? 

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My Classroom

I finally have sometime to type up a new blog post so I thought I'd share some pictures of my classroom.  I am blessed to have the largest classroom that I have ever had.  I love the windows on both side and they have blinds, which is so nice if the sun starts shinning through, I can close them!

Take a look at my Kindergarten world!

 View of my classroom.

 Super Improvers Wall and my Be In Control Posters

 Small Group area, 2 of my shelves, math tubs, and those amazing windows!

 Whole Brain Teaching Rules!

Front of my class.  Specials and Lunch is what is written on the board, but I am about to include Schedule cards that I just bought to replace that!  We have a nice big rug for my students to sit.  I put tape on the floor in 3 rows and they have their names on there for a specific place to sit.

Another view of the front of my classroom.

A view of the other side of my classroom with that great big window and our mailboxes.  Those 2 tables will be my computer stations as soon as I get my student computers.  I will have 2 or 3 computers for my students to use.  On the right side are my posters on how students get home.

I hope that you enjoyed a look into my classroom!  I'm also hoping to add a word wall, but I'm not quite sure where to put it yet.  Those super amazing windows take up a ton of wall space on both sides.  

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

Whole Brain Teaching Book Club

Has anyone heard of Whole Brain Teaching?  I absolutely love it and it is something I would love to try if I get my dream job, unless of course the school is against the idea.  It is so engaging, that I believe it will work with the most difficult children and they will be having fun while learning.  It cuts down on a lot of pointless worksheets.  There is a fun attention getter, gestures, etc.  I could go on and on.

I am joining the Book Club for Whole Brain Teaching that they are having.  It is under way now, but you are not too late to join.  Order the book from Amazon.  I would love it if you ordered it through my affiliate link by clicking on the picture.

If you want the Kindle version click HERE!

Once you have the book and you are ready to begin Whole Brain Teaching head over to the Whole Brain Teaching Book Club and join us by going HERE.

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

Alternative Assessments

As many of you who read my blog frequently know I started checking out Whole Brain Teaching several months ago.  Part of their program is simple assessments that you can do with your students that doesn't require paper and pencil and you still can find out who understands the skill and who is still lost.

For example if learning nouns you could say A noun is something you do?  The students would say "yes way or no way."  Then you might say A noun is a person, place, or thing?  They would say yes way or no way.  A lake is a noun? A dog is a noun?  Grandma is a noun?  Swim is a noun?  Etc.

Then if you notice the majority seem to have an understanding of it have all your students put their head down with their eyes closed.  Give your students the same type of questions and they put their thumbs up if they think it is true and thumbs down if not true. Whole Brain Teaching calls this alternative assessment QT.

Click on the hyperlink on Whole Brain Teaching to check out some great ideas to keep your students engaged in learning!

Teaching Tip Active Engagement

It's our job as teachers to try our best to keep all of our students engaged in lessons.  If students are engaged they will learn right?

Well this summer I've been looking for new ways to keep students engaged.  I came across Whole Brain Teaching's great website!  These website has great engaging lessons and also a great way to keep student's attention!

My favorite is class-yes!  What you do is any time you want your classes attention you say class and your class responds yes.  You can change your voice or the way you say class and they  have to mimick you by saying yes in the same way that you say class.  If you say class, class.  They say yes, yes.  If you say classity, classity, class!  They say yessity, yessity, yes!  If you change the way your voice sounds, they change the way their voice sounds.  Yes, they will giggle and think you are hillarious and that is okay!  It will get their attention, which is what we want, right?

I hope to find a job for this upcoming school year because I am dying to try that engagement idea out.  Have you tried it?  If so tell me how it worked for you!

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