The best types of behavior management ideas might work wonderfully for one group of students, and not at all for the next.

While it’s important to know some basic universal management tips, the top teachers all know the big AND small tricks which might work for individual students, small groups, or even the whole class at once.

Miranda is a middle school teacher who doesn’t know what do do for effective classroom discipline anymore. The students are texting, “eating” her pencils, and basically give her the eyeroll at every chance. They aren’t “bad” kids, but have grown accustomed to “being themselves” in her classroom whenever they feel like it.

She has fun lessons and concepts that include interesting powerpoint games and even independent study work as an option for those students needing various differentiation.

But they still just feel they can goof off whenever they want.

Perhaps it’s time for corrective measures that are easy to implement and all students will have a vested interest in accomplishing.

Today we have an idea for positive behavior reinforcement!

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for classroom management? This 105 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 16 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:
-Tattling
-Using Peer Pressure to Solve Behavior Issues
-Utilizing a Simple Plastic Cup for Your Mgmt Plan
-Creating a Simple Token Economy
-A Character Building Game
-Group Work Mgmt Tips
…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!  

See it HERE.

Successful Teaching Tip

First, start with these supplies – all found in my local craft store:  the pennant paper was found in the scrapbook section (though if you have more time and choose, you could certainly make your own with paper you have on hand), some letter stickers in the colors of your choice, twine, and mini clothespins (also found in the scrapbook aisle as that is what they are meant for – lol). OR grab the ready to go printable below!

Putting it all together is pretty self-explanatory: attach your sticker letters on the pennants.

To use, simply put up a letter when students have met the behavior expectations for the day.  You could also take down (though I prefer to focus on the positive behavior rather than to notice the negative behavior when possible). 

Change up the word to “celebrate” or “well done” if you like. 

I like PARTY because it evokes a feeling of celebration and excitement for a job well done, plus it is short enough to see the results pretty quickly.  Or even have students help you decide which word to use!

When the class finishes spelling out the desired word, schedule the incentive. 

It could be an extra 10 minutes outside playing, free choice on the computers, bring a stuffed friend to school day, or even a popcorn treat while silent reading.  Make it be fun and it doesn’t have to cost a ton of money or time out of your day.

Using Encouragement and Praise Effectively

Encouragement and praise are powerful tools for promoting student engagement. When used effectively, they can motivate students, boost their confidence, and reinforce positive behaviors. As a teacher, it is important to use encouragement and praise in a way that is genuine, specific, and meaningful. 

One effective strategy is to provide specific praise that highlights the effort and progress of the student. Instead of simply saying “good job,” try to be more specific by saying something like “I can see how hard you worked on this assignment, and it really paid off.” This type of specific praise can help students feel valued and motivated to continue putting in effort. Another effective strategy is to use encouragement and praise as a way to reinforce positive behaviors. 

When you notice a student demonstrating a desired behavior, such as participating in class discussions or helping a classmate, make sure to acknowledge and praise that behavior. This can help reinforce the behavior and encourage other students to follow suit. Additionally, it is important to be genuine in your praise and encouragement. 

Students can often tell when praise is insincere or generic, so make sure to be authentic in your interactions with students. By using encouragement and praise effectively, you can help promote student engagement and create a positive classroom environment.

Implementing Rewards and Incentives

Rewards and incentives can be effective tools for promoting student engagement. When used thoughtfully, they can motivate students, reinforce positive behaviors, and create a sense of excitement and achievement. However, it is important to use rewards and incentives in a way that is fair, consistent, and aligned with the goals of the classroom. 

One effective strategy is to use rewards and incentives as a way to recognize and celebrate student achievements. Consider implementing a system of rewards for academic accomplishments, such as completing assignments on time or achieving a certain grade on a test. Another effective strategy is to use rewards and incentives as a way to promote positive behaviors. 

For example, you could implement a system of rewards for participation in class discussions or for demonstrating kindness and respect towards classmates. It is important to make sure that rewards and incentives are aligned with the values and expectations of the classroom. Additionally, it is important to use rewards and incentives in moderation. 

Over-reliance on rewards can lead to a decrease in intrinsic motivation and a focus on external rewards rather than genuine interest in learning. By implementing rewards and incentives thoughtfully, you can promote student engagement and create a positive classroom environment.

Promoting student engagement is essential for creating a positive learning environment where students feel motivated, supported, and valued.

By understanding the importance of student engagement and implementing positive reinforcement techniques such as creating a positive classroom environment, using encouragement and praise effectively, implementing rewards and incentives thoughtfully, providing constructive feedback, fostering collaboration and participation, and empowering students through choice and autonomy, teachers can help promote student engagement and create an environment where all students have the opportunity to succeed academically.

What other ideas can you think of?  I would love to hear them in the comments below!

Need the PARTY printable? Grab it here!

Click here to email your freebie

Have fun “partying” and I will talk to you soon,

~Charity

The post Banner Behavior appeared first on Organized Classroom.

Whether you teacher middle school or elementary, managing your class behaviors in the hallway is imperative to teacher good manners.

With a few of the ideas listed below (and a free eBook!), you can find some fun, no fail tricks for having a ninja class in the hallway that goes undetected by anyone.  And you’ll score some teacher BFF bonus points in the process too!

I had been teaching for about 5 years when I had an abnormally rambunctious group of students.  From the first week after meeting my angels, I had reoccurring nightmares about then taking over control in the classroom and in the hallway.

And you know what was more frightening?

The hallway nightmare.

At least if they were having a field day in my classroom I could shut the door and most wouldn’t be the wiser, but if they were raising cane in the hallway they were now not only interrupting my day, but also the learning of every class we passed along the way to specials, lunch, recess, and more.

Not to mention how they acted during a fire drill.  For ALL the school to see, including the administrators.

I was losing sleep over it before I even had a serious reason to worry.

Nonetheless, I was tired of being tired (from not getting enough sleep), so it was time to put my foot down and find a method that would quiet these chatterers when it was important to be quieted.

Prepping to Walk in the Hall

The first step was to line up correctly.

Lining up correctly is NOT saying:  “Let’s get lined up to go to Art.”

I love this graphic from Erin Waters at Elementary Education:

It sums up it up so perfect, I would love to have it as a poster, an anchor chart, video, song, and anything else that students might remember it better.  HA!

Having a calm and organized method for lining up seems to work better for me and for my students.

And shaking it up a bit each time is even better.  They have to be sitting quietly in order to hear when they are able to move out of their seats (which they very much want to do).

Using one of the following, I will have students line up as they meet the criteria:

“I would like students who ___________ to line up quietly for Art.  Quick reminder that if you are talking, touching someone else, or are farting around in line, I send you to the back of the line.”

• Students who are wearing {color} shoes.  {example:  white, black, blue, etc.}
• Students who are wearing {color} shoelaces.
• Students who have {color} hair.
• Students who have {color} eyes.
• Students who do/do not have a pet at home.
• Students who arrive at school via {bus, walker, parent drop off, etc.}
• Students wearing {color} shirt/pants/shorts.
• Students who can roll their tongue.
• Students who can balance on one leg for 30 seconds.
• Students who are sitting at table {table number}.
• Students who {packed, brought lunch, or are buying milk}.
• Students who had completed homework every day this week.
• Students who wore a hat to school.
• Students who have at least 1 sibling at home.
• Students who live with a grandparent.
• Students who have a nonfiction book from the library.
• Students who love pizza with bacon on it.

…and so on.  It gets fun to come up with different variations.  And students who aren’t listening will always be last, so they learn very quickly to pipe down when it’s time to go.

Hallway Rules and Procedures

Even if your school is not a PBIS school, management expectations and consequences are super critical to training your students the right (and wrong) way to behave in the hallway.

It might take a few (hundred) times – or so it seems, but if you stick with it and require the best behavior while walking outside of your classroom walls, you’ll be known by others teachers – and their classes – as the group to imitate.

Colleagues will be very friendly in the hall instead of avoiding your group at all costs.

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for classroom management? This 105 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 16 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:
-Tattling
-Using Peer Pressure to Solve Behavior Issues
-Utilizing a Simple Plastic Cup for Your Mgmt Plan
-Creating a Simple Token Economy
-A Character Building Game
-Group Work Mgmt Tips
…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!  

See it HERE.

And this in turn encourages students to work even harder to maintain their level of respect in front of their peers.  It really is a win-win.

Some quick ideas for making the mundane activity of walking or waiting in the hallway more fun:

Stopping and Starting

While this isn’t a particular “fun” activity, I have found it the most useful when first teaching students what you will tolerate from them in the hallway and what you won’t.

After leaving the classroom, you always follow at the end of the line.  Have students know where to stop periodically throughout the journey so that the students stay compact and you have a visual on each one.

If you see a student who is not following the expectations, stop the group and either go back to the last checkpoint – or return entirely to the classroom to begin again.

{Note:  your specials teachers might not be thrilled as you may be a bit late to their class, BUT this honestly only takes it happening once or twice before students fall in line.  If you are heading to lunch, they fall in line even faster.}

The students realize who is not up to par and peer pressure sets in so they are immediately encouraging the “talker” to zip it so they can get to the next activity.

I think the longest journey I ever had from my classroom to our destination was 10 minutes.  It should have taken 3.  But after that, it was rare we had to start over again.

Play a Quick Game

Depending on your grade level, this could be skip counting the number of steps you take or if you are waiting in the hallway for a bathroom break, it could be a quick game of higher or lower or “I Spy.”

I personally love the counting steps option as it incorporates math and students are usually very excited to tell their number as they pass me for the last time when they head into their Special class.

Pass the “Buck”

Kind of a fun way to encourage behaviors you wish to see more!  Grab a fake money bill and hand it to the student who is being exemplary in the hallway.  Then, pass it on to another student.  Keep it going until you reach the destination.

That student starts with the token when returning as a class back to the classroom.

Whoever has it when you get back, gets a special treat (new pencil, piece of candy, a good note home, extra 5 minutes on computer, or just a group class applause for being a role model to others).

Earn Extra Team Points for Compliments

I love rewarding my class for compliments they receive in and out of the classroom!  It also instills a sense of pride in them as well.

Each time someone compliments the group, make a tally on the board or some other prominent place in the classroom.

Once you hit a certain number, have a class celebration!

The celebration may just be an extra 15 minutes of recess, a dance party for 10 minutes, taking their shoes off for the afternoon, or a full out movie party with snacks.  Have the students help you choose the reward for the maximum impact.

I also asked my Facebook fans to post their best hallway behavior management technique and they surely exceeded my expectations!

So, I thought I would compile them together in case anyone wanted them all in one place!  They are fantastic!

Make sure to click on the picture or the link to download your free copy!

There are almost 40 great tips and suggestions!

Would you like to know even more great hallway tips?

Register for our FREE Helpful Hallway Transition Tips Workshop – complete with an additional cheat sheet. It’s only 20 minutes long!

If you have a new teacher on your team, wouldn’t this be so nice to print in color and place in sheet protectors that are in a binder or three-brad two-pocket folder?

I sure know I would have loved to get my hands on these ideas!

Perhaps you are a principal who is looking for ideas to assist those few teachers who don’t quite have the knack for traveling in the hallway quietly.

Make a copy of this file and place on the tables in the staff lounge for teachers to peruse through during their lunch.

Are you one of the authors listed in the book?  Make sure to show everyone you know – you are a “published author!”  Put it on your resume – I will vouch for you.

I am so excited to share this awesome resource with the world!  Great advice from teachers for teachers – yay!

Click here to email your freebie

How will you utilize your copy of the Student Hallway Behavior Book?  Tell us in the comments below!

~Charity

The post Student Hallway Behavior Tips Freebie! appeared first on Organized Classroom.

You MIGHT have a “honeymoon” period of 1-3 days at the very start where the true colors have not come out yet, but even that is not a guarantee as I have already heard stories of kids acting out from the first moment of the first day.  I guess it is good because at least you know what you are in for.

And having a structured set of classroom rules in place can make or break your year.

“Tina” doesn’t have a set of rules or consequences displayed in her classroom. She figures that students should be responsible enough to know when they are breaking the rules.

As a result, she might be punishing them all day. But, she doesn’t want to feel like a monster so instead she gives a lot of “warnings.” If we are being honest, some students probably get more chances than others, but she tends to lose track all day long.

Tina feels like she is always swimming upstream, just trying to teach something, anything during the lesson without having to stop for a talking student or someone interrupting her in mid-sentence.

She leaves school most days feeling depleted and dragging from the mental stress all day every day.

On the flip side, “Mike” has the same group of students, but instead he chose to involve those kids in the classroom community early on and together, the entire class and the teacher chose applicable rules and consequences.

Mike displays his rules prominently in the front of the classroom and refers to them regularly, especially after long breaks or right before holidays.

As a result of Mike’s system, the students still talk out from time to time or interrupt during a lesson, but it’s typically not repeatedly happening because Mike is able to point out which rule the child broke and easily keep track of the consequences per the chart for all to see.

There are far fewer distractions in Mike’s day and he leaves school feeling like he accomplished the task of educating his kids for the day, which leaves him more likely to be in a good mood the rest of the evening with his own family too.

Creating an Elementary Classroom Environment Together

Having a set public notice of the consequences (and rules as well) will ensure that all students will be aware of what happens if they choose to make poor choices. 

Also having a poster up of the positive rewards for those that choose to make the correct choices is a wonderful idea! You could even have individual behavior charts for students who are making good choices.

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for classroom management? This 105 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 16 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:
-Tattling
-Using Peer Pressure to Solve Behavior Issues
-Utilizing a Simple Plastic Cup for Your Mgmt Plan
-Creating a Simple Token Economy
-A Character Building Game
-Group Work Mgmt Tips
…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!  

See it HERE.

One thing I try to stress over and over throughout the year is that if a child only needs a little redirection by the way of the discipline policy, he or she knows that it is because of the choices THEY made.  Not just because Mrs. Preston is a big meanie and wants to pick on them. 

Sometimes that is hard for students to fully grasp, so a gentle reminder about WHAT really happened, and WHY we are looking to take extra steps is imperative.  You cannot change the student behavior if the student thinks it is because of the meanie that wears the school ID.

Many schools will already have a school-wide discipline policy in place for you, which can be great or not-so-great, but you don’t really have a say, so whether it is liked or not, sticking to it will ensure consistency for students throughout the building, and not just from one class to another (because those students that want to stretch the rules WILL know which rooms they are more likely to get away with it in).

If you don’t have a simple set of discipline rules, even sitting down with your students in the first week to create them helps your class to feel a sense of ownership over them and then they are never likely to say that they are “stupid” because they helped to create them to begin with.

I usually start the conversation with setting our classroom rules, keeping them to no more than five.  We brainstorm lots of ideas together and I write them down. 

Then, I group them together and maybe reword the most important four or five for the final version.

Well-Written Classroom Rules Poster

Then, I do the same for the discipline policy. 

Keep in mind that students will always be harder on themselves than you probably would even be, so make sure to allow them some say, but feel free to let them know you still have the final word.  You may have to override them when they think they should get one full month (including Fridays) of after-school detention for not returning homework for one day.  That MIGHT be a little over the top.

A quick list of a few ideas:

• First broken rule: Warning
• Second broken rule: Fill out a paper that says what rule was broken, why it was broken, and how it should have been handled instead
• Third broken rule: Fills out another form, but this time both go home to a parent to be signed
• Fourth broken rule: Student calls home to parent to explain
• Fifth broken rule: Removal from class

Discipline can be such a hard thing to master in the classroom, but a super important tool for those new teachers.  What kind of advice can the veterans readers share with those that are brand-new to the classroom this year?  We would love to hear you sound off below!

I left a freebie for you below to grab with additional ideas to help.

Click here to email your freebie

What are your best tips for setting up a classroom discipline policy? We’d love to hear them in a comment below.

~Charity

The post Deciding on Discipline appeared first on Organized Classroom.

But sometimes you just need a little extra in the way of strategies.

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like to play spin the wheel games where a lucky student wins a prize!  It allows for fate to decide a random option, much like an online random generator would choose when the stop button is pressed.

Students will never again be able to equate what prize they earned with the teacher choosing it.  Instead, it is completely random per the spinning wheel!

While those are all good tips, school in the real world looks nothing like you think it will according to a textbook.

The Best Effective Classroom Behavior Management Strategies

Whether you are teaching Kindergarten or any other grade level, classroom management involves motivating students (whether that’s internally or external motivation), making sure to engage students to be a part of the discipline plan, and then giving students choices.

Everyone wants to feel a part of a team working towards an end goal – and that you have a say in how you get there and what the goal is as well.

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for classroom management? This 105 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 16 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:
-Tattling
-Using Peer Pressure to Solve Behavior Issues
-Utilizing a Simple Plastic Cup for Your Mgmt Plan
-Creating a Simple Token Economy
-A Character Building Game
-Group Work Mgmt Tips
…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!  

See it HERE.

Lesson plans that encourage students to be a part of teaching and learning aren’t any different than planning for how you wish for them to be expected to act during those times.

Spending more time modeling (talk volume ranges, how to ask to use the restroom, etc.) can be a huge effect on the outcome – and definitely showing how group work management should flow as well!

What Classroom Management Techniques Work Best for You?

Here is a list of several options of classroom management systems in which you could try in your classroom. Keep in mind that every student is not the same. What works for one, might not work for all.

You will need to implement individual accommodations depending on the set of students and the teacher.

• Cooperative Learning Group Work Roles Made Easier
• Does Screaming At Your Class Work? {Classroom Management Tips}
• Classroom Management: Why & How
• Classroom Management: Peer Pressure
• Teaching Tip: Keeping Students Engaged

Spin the Wheel Challenge

How about a fun take on a classroom management behavior reward system?   I am calling it “Spin a Surprise!”

Pretty much everyone loves surprises, right?  This idea can be used with any behavior management system you already have in place in your classroom.

When it is time for a student to pick a prize, instead send him or her to the fun spinning wheel to choose a prize!

All envelopes are blank on the outside so they never know what they will get!

Here is how to set yours up and a few logistical tidbits to keep the rewards easy to maintain:

1.  Get one of these.  Now, the box says it is $35, but I scored mine on Hobby Lobby’s website for 50% off.  I am guessing you should be able to find them other places as well.

2.  Put it together.  You will need a hammer.  Other than that, everything else is included in the box.  I felt pretty accomplished after assembling.

3.  Find some cute library card pockets and inserts.  These ones were mini sized found at my local craft store.

Can’t find any you like or in your classroom theme colors?  Make your own by downloading the freebies files below.

After assembling (super easy to fold and glue or tape), put a prize on the insert cards, leaving room at the bottom for student names.

Make the prizes be something you do not have to pay for.  Most students love eating lunch or breakfast with the teacher as much as a sticker.  Or getting the chance to work with a friend on a project which may never happen otherwise.

Now, one suggestion that you won’t see in the picture because of the glare (but you SHOULD do):  After placing the prizes on the cards, LAMINATE each.  There is a reason for this.  Keep reading.

4.  Last, clip your pockets on the wheel and you have a super fun incentive for students to reach their behavior, homework, or reading goals!  This basic idea can work for whatever you wish to hone in on during the year.

Now – after a student earns his or her spin, he or she spins (gently) and gets the closest pocket with a card inside.  (If there is no card, go with the next closest pocket with a card inside).

The student takes out the card and writes his or her name on the card with a dry erase marker (which is why we laminated them), and hands it to you.

You then place the card on the corner of the board somewhere.

On Friday (or whatever “rewards” day you want), ALL students get to redeem their reward during the same day.

You can then start over again the following week by erasing the student names, replacing the card in the pockets, and repeat.  Makes it easy to keep track of throughout the week and not taking the chance of forgetting anyone’s prize (been there, done that).

NOTE: Can’t find a “Clip and Spin”? Maybe try a “prize wheel” like THIS ONE. Same idea. Just clip the prize pockets to the board with binder clips instead.

Would you like to know step-by-step routines that put teachers back in control in just 4 weeks?

Download the FREE Classroom Systems Starter Kit now!

How else could you use this spin the wheel tool in your classroom?  We would love to hear in the comments below.

Need some pockets and cards to print and go?

I’ve got you covered! Download them below.

~Charity

The post Spin a Surprise {Classroom Management} appeared first on Organized Classroom.

Good character traits aren’t always modeled at home or in the child’s community, so taking the time every day to develop these skills is super important.

We might be educating the next Einstein, but we also hope he or she wants to make the world a better place with that knowledge too.

Character Building Activities

Character-building comes in various forms:  games, discussion questions, class or team building lessons, and even online options.  For me, I have found in my experience that the best motivator for better classroom citizens is encouraging those “teachable moments” by celebrating when good choices are made on a daily basis.

In that frame of mind, I am super excited to show you a a tip for reinforcing those little acts of kindness that sometimes happen without fanfare:  Brag Bands!

They are super easy to make and use!

Start by grabbing some printable bands.  I found mine at my local big box store, but you can save yourself a trip by grabbing them on Amazon HERE instead.

You can make your own, or grab 50 already-created-for-you bands HERE.

After you have your bands ready to roll, the process is even easier:  look for the behaviors listed on the bands and award a few each day to deserving students.  Pop them on their wrist to wear proudly all day and even show parents at home!

If the entire staff also wants to participate, they will also notice the bands throughout the hallway and have an opportunity to comment or ask questions of the awarded student.

Want to make it so everyone has a chance?  Grab a plastic cup and fill it with popsicle sticks – one child’s name per stick.  Grab a couple out each day and specifically look for a positive behavior to award a band by the end of the day.

Or maybe instead you prefer to choose 1-3 bands to be a featured focus for the day.

You can simply use a magnet to display the bands on the board as a great reminder visual and then award the bands at the end of the day to the students who displayed the day’s positive trait.  It doesn’t take more than a few minutes to discuss the focus activity of the day – and all students will actively be practicing the task.

Would you like a set of 50 pre-made Brag Bands to print and use for your students?   Students, parents, and administrators will love them too! 

Click HERE to grab them now!

Now, before I get comments like “Why are we rewarding children for doing things they should be doing anyway?” I have a quick comment:  Some children do these things naturally.  Others don’t always have the best modeling outside of school.

Do you always need to make a big fuss when a child holds the door open for others without being told?  Absolutely not.  But the first few times it happens on its own, why not draw attention to it so other students learn good manners and proper etiquette.  You’re going to be there anyway.

Even better?  Celebrating the whole child.  Not just the social skills that involve sitting quietly or printing neatly all the time.  Using teachable moments to display front and center children who are growing up to be kind, compassionate, and thoughtful individuals is more important than ever.

Character Building Quotes

Need some great quotes to get your discussions started in class?  Here are a few I found via Pinterest that really fit the bill!

Wrong is still wrong, as right is still right – even if it isn’t being acknowledged.  This would be a great message to convey for those students who are upset about not getting recognized with a brag band.

Being open-minded is super important to teach littles.  {Maybe even some adults as well.}

I love this sentiment because it reinforces that sometimes doing the right thing isn’t always easy.  But it can be so much more rewarding.

The Golden Rule always has a place in my classroom and in my home with my own children.  And it is repeated quite frequently – ha!

Teaching active listening skills is HARD!  {Need some help?   Check out THIS POST.}  Hopefully using this quote will help to guide some students to remember to hear more and talk less.

Last up:  Celebrating each other.  Jealousy of others causes lots of bullying issues.  The earlier we start to teach children to feel good when another feels good, the better.

Brag Bands are certainly an easy way to start these important conversations with students and make a “game” of it until it becomes second nature.  Practice will make perfect and I can’t think of anything I would rather students practice than growing up to be good humans who will make a positive impact in our world.

How do you teach building character in your classroom?  We would love to hear your ideas below in a comment too!

Don’t forget to download your Brag Band Set HERE.

Want a free sample to test them out with your students?

~Charity

The post Brag Bands: Building Character Edition appeared first on Organized Classroom.

Target has what I need before I even know I need it, right?  I know you can relate. 

That Target Dollar Spot is basically a vacuum to my wallet!  

As I was thinking about updating my system, I saw this awesome accessories holder for just $3!  You could also use a pocket chart or any other hanging organizer.  I personally like this one because it is was the right price. 

When I have done this in the past, I actually used the top 2 shelves of a 5-shelf bookshelf behind my desk (you do NOT want easy access in the case of sticky fingers throughout the week).

Either works just as well.

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for classroom management? This 105 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 16 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:
-Tattling
-Using Peer Pressure to Solve Behavior Issues
-Utilizing a Simple Plastic Cup for Your Mgmt Plan
-Creating a Simple Token Economy
-A Character Building Game
-Group Work Mgmt Tips
…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!  

See it HERE.

I also grabbed several other items from that blasted Dollar Spot to use as prizes.

You do NOT have to buy things for your classroom store by the way.  You can always solicit parents for gently used toys.  Garage sales are another wonderful place to grab some great trinkets at a cheap price.  Even Happy Meal toys or large stuffed animals are perfect!

If you prefer not to give out material items, that is ok too!  You can use reward slips for purchase that students can pick from, such as “Eat lunch with the teacher” or “Bring a stuffed friend to school.”  Make up your own for rewards that are unique to your classroom – and won’t cost a thing to implement!

Personally for me, I like to do a combination of both prizes and reward slips.  

All students will want something different – and having those options makes them earn what they feel is the best for them!

Set up your organizer with the good stuff and I even grabbed a couple small backpacks for a few bucks each in the Dollar Spot and zip tied them to the rings at the bottom to hold any additional prizes to fill the organizer back up after students have shopped on Friday.

Now it’s time to add in your pricing!  You will want to have a wide variety of pricing for those students who need that immediate gratification, but also a fewer items that will appeal to the students who would rather save their bucks for a larger prize.

Believe it or not, I always had students who would save all their earnings until the end of the year and spend it all at once.  It was a great lesson to others about the value of saving your money.

Next, you need to make some “checkbooks” for the students to keep track of their available funds.

In years past, I have actually solicited banks to donate free registers and checkbook covers.  They have always had no problem doing so.  The students used foam letter stickers to attach to their name to the front of their checkbook cover on Meet the Teacher Night, which was fun and something out of the way.

In my newly updated version, I have created some fun handouts for you to print and staple instead.  Students can use markers to decorate their cover with their name.

Now that you have all the supplies ready, this is how it worked in my classroom:  Students could earn dollars (or have them taken away) individually, as a team, or as a class.

• Individually:

If a student really worked hard on something or reached a big milestone that was above and beyond his or her usual work, I liked to do random rewards.  In this case, I always made a big deal out of it and asked the child to open his or her checkbook and add $_____ {whatever I deemed appropriate}.  He then added it in the register and I came over with a pen or marker to initial it as correct – checking for the proper math to get to the correct balance.  {See how I threw some math into the mix as well?}

• As a team:

Students were in desk groupings and were given a color.  We had a red team, orange team, green team, and so on.  At the beginning of the week, the teams ALL started  at $5.  Throughout the week, if they were the first team sitting quietly, or everyone on the team had homework turned in, etc., that team earned points.  I kept the points in the corner of the whiteboard at the top.  It was easy to add (or subtract if necessary) easily during the week.

• As a class:

We received $1 for every compliment we received in the hallways while walking to specials or back from lunch.  If we were quietly waiting for our turn in the hallway and no one got out of line, they might receive an extra buck there too.  Again – super easy to add those dollars upon returning to the classroom on the whiteboard.

NOTE:  I RARELY took away points.  And no one started the week in the negatives or at zero.  I really felt that positive reinforcement and focusing on those students who were already doing that expected behaviors needed to be highlighted.  And you will see other students at teams or as a class “peer pressure” the normally “pushing the boundaries” students to stay in line.  It was nice to watch them take the lead instead of hearing me constantly asking the same kids to behave over and over again.

How to redeem:   On Fridays (you can do any day you like), we would add in our team points from the whiteboard, and I would clear the board so we could start new again on Monday.  I would call each team up one at a time to “shop.”

I always chose the team that had the highest amount of points to shop first as a reward for being on top of things.  They would have only about 5 minutes – you will have some that WILL fart around – if those students were not done in the allotted time, they waited until the next week.  {They tended to figure out their selections way faster the next week – lol.}

They first brought their checkbooks to me and I initialed to make sure their math was correct and they had the right totals.  Then they shopped if they wanted.

They subtracted their purchases form their checkbooks right at my desk and I initialed.  They put their items in their book bags and went back to their desk to continue silent reading.

I did all groups in the 30 minutes and we were done! 

It really wasn’t something that took a ton of time. There were no cards to flip. 

A student had to make me pretty mad to have dollars taken away.  I won’t say I never did it, but it was pretty serious if I did. 

The students, parents, and administrators really enjoyed this classroom management system – as did I!

Would you like to know step-by-step routines that put teachers back in control in just 4 weeks?

Download the FREE Classroom Systems Starter Kit now!

Hopefully this gives you some thoughts for creating your own! 

And if you want all these templates and more for classroom management in a specific classroom theme, you can find those Organized Educator.

Just want to use the templates from this post? Grab them here!

Have you used something similar in your classroom before?  We would love to hear about it in the comments below!

~Charity

The post Simple Classroom Store System appeared first on Organized Classroom.

Why?   I am pretty sure because of the fact that every child and every mixture of children in the classroom are all different.

I do remember having to create a philosophy of teaching statement. That’s about it.

Ask any teacher that has been teaching longer than a week if he or she notices a difference in the entire classroom behavior if just 1 or 2 specific students are absent.  I think you know where I am going with this.

As a brand new teacher, classroom management was my biggest fear.  I honestly had nightmares that started the month before school began and ran several times throughout the month.

I really feared an uprising.  From 8 year olds.  #truestory

For me, the fear wasn’t that I was worried about third graders in mass chaos in the classroom in front of me, it was more worrisome that my colleagues and heaven forbid my new principal walked in as spitballs were flying through the air.

Of course, none of that ever really happened to me.  Though I can’t speak for other teachers everywhere.

Having some sort of behavior plan ahead of time is a good idea, whether you teach elementary, middle, or even high school.

Children will always test your limits.  Knowing what those limits are in advance can save you plenty of shut eye in the long run.

I did a quick inquiry on my good friend Mr. Google and I was quickly informed that there are almost 600 MILLION results for a search for classroom management.

That’s a lot of choices to have to sort through!

What are good classroom management skills?

Here at Organized Classroom, we have shared almost 30 different ideas and techniques for lots of different teacher styles and preferences over the last 8 years.

We have covered the definition of behavior management, effective discipline systems, and the reasons why good behavior doesn’t come naturally to every child.

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for classroom management? This 105 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 16 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:
-Tattling
-Using Peer Pressure to Solve Behavior Issues
-Utilizing a Simple Plastic Cup for Your Mgmt Plan
-Creating a Simple Token Economy
-A Character Building Game
-Group Work Mgmt Tips
…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!  

See it HERE.

Here are some of the most popular successful classroom management posts from our archives:

• Cooperative Learning Group Work Roles Made Easier:  Cooperative learning doesn’t have to mean madness in the classroom if students know exactly what they are to do.

• Does Screaming At Your Class Work?:  One of the best teachers I know who has the best classroom management actually has almost a whisper voice.  I was always amazed at how she was able to get her students’ attention.

• Classroom Management: Why & How:   A basic how to guide for everything behavior management related!

• Deciding on Discipline:  Includes a free behavior management poster too!

What are the best behavior management strategies?

Smart rules and consequences include having the class assist you in creating them.

Why?  It creates an immediate buy-in from the students and when they are not happy with the results of their own disruptive behaviors, they don’t have you to pass blame on to because you weren’t the driving force behind them.

Here are a few more options for strategies that have worked in real classrooms and not just in theory:

• Spin a Surprise {Classroom Management}:  Need a fun and novel way to reward those behaviors you wish to see more?  This might help.

• Classroom Management: Peer Pressure:  Having a tricky student in the past, I needed big time help.  Turns out the help was in the last place I expected.

• Teaching Tip: Keeping Students Engaged:  This is so easy, you’ll wonder why you never thought of it before.

• Simple Classroom Store System:  This token economy system has worked miraculously for several different classes in 2 different states.

• Banner Behavior:  Old school, yet just as effective as most other involved ideas.

• Cup Management:  So simple for keeping those voice levels to a minimum throughout the day.

The real truth about classroom management

Student behavior can make or break a teacher’s school year.  Having classroom communities that a warm and engaging will keep the behavior disruptions to a minimum.

Very few teachers will be able to say they never have any type of behavior blips.

Even the very “best” students will still have a few students who like to blurt out responses, aimlessly wander during the middle of the reading block, or one who loves the thrill of the 5-finger discount of others’ desk supplies.

Knowing that there are thousands of solutions for thousands of possible classroom management issues, I promise there is something out there that will help for every child.

If you want to have a more enjoyable vocation, it comes down to testing and tweaking until you find out what works the best for your unique group of students.

And I can promise that as soon as you find your magic bullet, it will change the next year for certain.

Free Classroom Incident Report Form

Need a little paper trail in those instances when you are still trying to figure out which classroom management system will work best with the current class roster?

Grab one below. It never hurts to have documentation in place.

What are your best classroom management tips?  There are always room for more!  Feel free to leave a comment below.

~Charity

The post Classroom Management Teacher Cheat Sheet appeared first on Organized Classroom.

It’s ok.  We’ve ALL been there.  In fact, I STILL have nightmares about unruly students running through the hallway interrupting every class along the way and angry colleagues expressing their disapproval – lol!

As a teacher, one of the biggest challenges you may face is managing quiet students in the hallway.

While some students may be naturally chatty and disruptive, others prefer to keep to themselves and walk quietly.

However, even these quiet students can disrupt the orderly flow of the hallway if they don’t have a strategy in place.

Hallway Ideas for Quiet Student Lines

One of the best strategies for quiet students is to line up with their classmates before leaving the classroom. This helps to keep everyone organized and ensures that no one is left behind.

Additionally, it gives students a chance to share ideas and activities with each other before they walk out into the hallway.

Another great strategy for quiet students is to walk quietly and avoid disrupting other classes. This can be achieved by using tricks and hacks such as walking on tiptoes or taking smaller steps.

By keeping their movements small and controlled, quiet students can avoid drawing attention to themselves and disrupting other classes.

Keeping quiet in the hallway can be a genius classroom management strategy for teachers. It helps to create an orderly environment where everyone can focus on their work without distractions.

However, it’s important to remember that not all students are naturally quiet, so it’s important to provide them with strategies and support to help them succeed.

If you’re struggling with chatty or disruptive students in the hallway, consider implementing some of these strategies for your quiet students.

By providing them with the tools they need to succeed, you can create a more peaceful and productive learning environment for everyone involved.

More Hallway Tips for Teachers

If you would like a couple more concrete ideas for hallway transitions, make sure to get registered for our FREE Workshop:  Helpful Hallway Transition Tips!

It includes ideas for management, lining up strategies, and even 10 activities students can be doing while walking and/or waiting in the hallway.  Even if you are a hallway pro, you might grab a new idea or three.

Get registered now HERE => Helpful Hallway Transitions Tips and don’t forget to grab your freebie cheat sheet download after watching the 20-minute workshop too!

What other hallway strategies do you love?  Leave us a comment!  #sharingiscaring

~Charity

The post Free Hallway Tips Workshop appeared first on Organized Classroom.