Here is the inspiration from Rick Morris for the Clip Chart I created:
And here is a picture of my Clip Chart in action:
I start each child off on "Ready to Learn"~ it is bigger for this reason, since it has to hold all 26 clothespins. From the beginning of the day, students have the opportunity to "clip up". I make a simple "cutting" gesture and then an "up" gesture with my thumb as I see them doing great work around the classroom. I have even worked the "clip up" instructions into class songs that I sing around the room throughout the day... more on songs later :)
When I see a student making not-so-wonderful choices, I have them "clip down" discretely. I do not make a loud announcement, but all of the students seem to know it's happening regardless. There are no consequences for "Make Better Choices" but for "Teacher Choice" I do have students write about it on our school's Stop and Think Sheet or do some sort of "Classroom Service" to repair the harm~ this could be cleaning up, wiping out and organizing book bins, sharpening pencils, etc.
What I love most about this clip chart, as opposed to my former green-yellow-red card system, is that a student is not trapped on "make better choices" all day~ when I see them making good choices, I immediately have them clip up.
The other main reason I love the clip chart system is that it rewards those kids who go above and beyond. If someone is a class leader with "Class-Yes" or "Teach-OK," I do tell them to clip up in a loud enough voice so that others can hear and are inspired to copy their positive model.
If they end the day at "Super Student" they get a star on their clip. After 5 stars, I have them peel off their stars (they can place them on their name tag or notebook) and they can choose something from the Treasure Box.
I actually had a little girl today say that today was one of the "best days of her life" because she was a Super Student~ how awesome is that!
Here is the Clip Chart pdf printable!
Just found your blog! Love it!
ReplyDeleteYippee, HUGE compliment as I <3 your blog, too :) :) Thanks!
DeleteI just implemented the Clip Chart in my classroom just before Spring Break! I had also previously used the green/yellow/red/blue card behaviour chart but was dissatisfied with the fact that it didn't recognize those students who were being positive role models. My students LOVE it when they reach "Top of the Chart" or even better "Off the Chart" (when I clip their pin to my lanyard around my neck. It is working sooo well in my class.:)
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love your blog! Thanks for all the wonderful information you have here. I have a question about your use of consequences for the clip chart. Do your students have a consequence if they move to Teacher Choice or Parent Contact at any time during the day, or only if they end the day there? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi tltl,
DeleteThanks so much!
In terms of consequences, it depends- the "Teacher's Choice" consequence will involve staying in from recess or free time and cleaning book bins, cleaning the round table, taking out recycling, or some other kind of community service. I frame it like Love & Logic- they drained my energy so they need to do something to help refill it (similar to Bucket Filling, too!).
If a student gets to red at any time of day, I always call the parents after school. There are some nice pins on Pinterest about notes to send home that a student would fill out about why they went red- you can find them on my board here: http://pinterest.com/3rdGrThoughts/classroom-management/
By the time a kiddo gets to red, chances are it's bad, so I feel parents should know :)
Thanks for stopping by!
~Stephanie
Thanks for linking up with us!! And I do have to say I've seen this clip chart everywhere (and I even used it last year) and never knew whose idea it was. Thanks for crediting your source!!
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic!! This will be my first year teaching (yay!) and I will have 26 students and I am super excited to implement the clip chart! I love that they can clip up, thanks for sharing!! Your blog has been so helpful and I can't wait to use all of these wonderful ideas in my own classroom :)
ReplyDelete-Rachel
birdinthird.blogspot.com
It's really a big help for me.Thanks so much.
ReplyDelete