Do You DOJO?

I use Class DOJO in my classroom and love it!  If you haven't heard about it, please visit www.classdojo.com to learn more.  It is basically a behavior tracking website/ app.  It is amazingly easy to use, I love that I can access it on my computer, iPad or iPhone.  You can completely customize the positive and negative behaviors you track.  I used it last year with my students.  One of the great features is the behavior graphing tool; this is great for students on a behavior management plan.  Parents also have access to see how their students are doing.

This year they added even more new features!  One is a messaging feature for easy contact with parents.  You can also now access your partner teacher's class. Oh, did I mention it is FREE!

This year I set up a Class DOJO Prize Center in my office.  (Think arcade ticket redemption center.) )  I used shoe storage pockets, a black poster board and labeled each row with a point value range.

On Fridays, my Class DOJO Prize Center is open.  Students can chose to spend their points or save them until next week.  I open the Class DOJO app on my iPad and “edit bubbles”.  (Currently you have to reset their points to zero, so they have to spend it all at one time.)  In addition to the trinkets, I am also adding class coupons (no homework, special chair, etc.).  In addition I have a few “big ticket” items like a Wii game my girls don’t play anymore or toys donated. 

The kids love shopping!  I was worried this would take forever. However, I have found it faster than the old school treasure box.  The students can see everything.  I also love that it is out of the way, yet very appealing.

Would you like to set up your own Class DOJO Prize Center?  Click here to download the signs for FREE!  I also included a few blank point cards so you can set your own amounts.  

Friday Five and Freebie

Happy Friday!  It is time to share a little of my week with you and I get to learn a little bit more about my favorite bloggers.  I love the Five for Friday linky party at Doodlebugs Teaching.  She is taking the month of July off and will be back the first week of August.

1. Teaching Blog Roundup

I just posted on my collaborative blog.  It is a fantastic blog full of great post from some of the best teacher bloggers.  If you haven't had a chance to check it out, please stop by.

2. Books!

I am loving books!  I have taken a little time to read the latest book by Bell Andre.  (It is a steamy romance and a great summer read.)  I picked up a collection of my favorite childhood books!  Didn't you love these too?

Then I picked up my TE's for my new reading series next year.  I can't wait to dig into this!

3. Look What My Daughter Gave Me!

My youngest daughter loves Legos.  I love the new pencil holder she made me for my classroom next year.  She found the kit at the Lego store.

4. My New Behavior Management System

I have finished my behavior management system for next year.  I was originally planning to bundle all of my new stuff for my Lego theme together but got overwhelmed.  So I figured I will post the parts of it as I finish them and then bundle them together.  You can check it out in my TpT store.

5. A Friday Freebie

I am busy creating and switching my room theme over to Lego building bricks.  Here is a poster I just made.  Click here to grab it free!

The Ticket to Better Behavior!

Everyone knows the last few days before break are CRAZY, especially summer break!  I think I have found the ticket to keeping their behavior in check.  I tried it today and it worked amazingly well. 

I know you are asking, what is it?!?!  I brought in a beach bucket and a basket full of treasures from the dollar store (and various things hidden in my classroom).  I also had a roll of star tickets (from oriental trading).  I explained to the kids that when I see a behavior I like, I will give out a ticket.  They are not guaranteed and can not be asked for.  They never know when I might start handing them out or for what.  They write their name on the ticket and drop it in the bucket.  (I also did a quick probability review of the more tickets in the bucket the more likely you are to get picked!)  Several times during the day, I draw a few tickets out to win.  Students can win more than once, that way they keep working for the chance.  One of the most popular prizes today, believe it or not, was a bag of Cheetos! 

It worked like a charm.  I hope the school year runs out before the novelty runs out!  I will keep this in my arsenal to use the week before Christmas and Spring Break too!  If you aren't one of the lucky ones already out for summer, give it a try!

After school today I went by Publix to pick up a few things for dinner and was so excited by my awesome find!  Next year I am doing a Lego/ Building Brick theme in my classroom and check out what I found!

They were finished with it and going to throw it away.  Who could throw away a 5 foot tall Lego dude with a surfboard! (The picture does not do it justice.) Much to my embarrassed daughters dismay, I asked it I could have it.  So I left the store with a cart full of groceries, and 5 foot tall Lego cut-out and a daughter pretending not to know who I was.  It made my day!!!  I can not wait to use it in my classroom next year.  Oh the ideas I am have!  I can cover the surfboard so easy.

Speaking of my upcoming theme, I am putting together some great things and I can't wait to share!

My Lollipop Tree

Do you have a lollipop tree?  My dear hubby made these very cute lollipop trees for me (and 3 of my teacher friends)!  

This is my twist on the compliment jars.  I use it as a class incentive.  When the entire class receives a compliment from someone else or from me they earn a lollipop.  If the class is doing something inappropriate, I take a lollipop from the tree.  When we earn one lollipop for each student, we have a lollipop party!  In case you are wondering, a lollipop party is simply everyone gets to enjoy a lollipop during a fun story or short video. 

This class incentive works great!  I usually use dum-dum lollipops and try to have the class earn parties frequently.  It is amazing how quickly the class gets back on track when I simply remove one lollipop.  The key is to reward them pretty frequently, especially at first.  

I hate to admit this, but I have been very lax about using the terrific tool recently and I am sad to say my class behavior is quickly sliding down hill.  I am going to reward, reward, reward tomorrow and hope we can get back on track!

This is like so many of the great ideas, they only work when you use them and are consistent!  I find myself juggling so many things and unfortunately some things drop.  So tomorrow I am picking it back up.