A Little Magic

- 16 comments
A Little Magic
Classroom management is one of those topics that we as teachers can talk about until we are blue in the face. There is just SO much to it. From the moment those kids walk into our doors until the last little one leaves for the day, we have to make sure that the students we are teaching not only are learning in our rooms, but are also safe and sound in a warm, caring, comfortable environment where they know they will be respected and protected for the day. Quite a daunting task for us all.  A task that does truly require "a little magic".

teachinginroom6.blogspot.com, 5th grade blogWith that in mind, I think the thing that has made all of the difference in my room the past two years has been my classroom economy.  Because the students are working in class to earn money (that they then can use to "buy" classroom privileges), they tend to take things very seriously.  There really isn't any discipline or punishment because everything they do boils down to an economic choice.  If the students want to behave in a certain way, they will pay for it with their cash.  If they have no cash, they will go into debt, which will need to be worked off.  But if they behave in a positive, productive way, they are compensated nicely.  Just as in real life, if you have money, you can buy things to make your life easier in class.  The students get it, and adjust their behavior accordingly.  It really does come down as simply as that.  It really is "magic".

If you would like to read in more detail about how I run my Economy, please visit this post.
Then you can read about the Jobs I have in my room here.
Finally, THE STORE!

Now it is your turn to get into the mix.  You can do several things to participate here with us today.

1.  If you don't have a blog, write in the comments below describing what management technique works for you.  What have you tried in your room that seems to be just the right thing to help your class run smoothly?  Please share!

2.  If you are a blogger and have an older post, that you already have written, grab the button, add it to the end, and link up.  We would love to read all about what works for you.

3.  If you haven't written your post yet, now would be a great time to do it!  Think about what you do in your room to help keep the students managed, on track and learning.  Write a post about it (or use an old one!)  Grab the button above and add it to your post.

Link up a post describing your techniques for dealing with behavior issues (or stopping them before they begin) in your classroom!











































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16 comments

  1. Julie ReidJuly 5, 2012 at 10:00 AM

    I teach kindergarten and have always wanted to stay on the postive/reinforcement side of classroom management. For the past two years, I have rewarded the students with pennies for all desired behaviors. Rather than rewarding "Susie" for a behavior I want/need from "Ronnie", I wait for Ronnie to exhibit the correct behavior (no many how small attempt. Once a month, we trade pennies for nickles and have a "Penny Fun Day" where the students spent their money on fun activities, games and special snacks. The students learn very quickly that more pennies = more fun activities for them. It has been a very successful system for me so far.

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  2. Joanie MitchellJuly 5, 2012 at 10:11 AM

    I too use my monarch economy for my major management tool. My husband works for a local auctioneer as a hobby, so I get LOTS of great STUFF for my kids to bid on at the end of each grading period. I also start my year with my kids reading my version of Ron Clark's The Essential 33 (think that's close tot he title)list of rules with partners. Afterwards, they each choose their favorite top 10 Monarch Rules and create their first Word document. I copy these onto orange (monarch) paper and display them in the hallway alongside their self-portrait. I feel like I am multi-tasking with classroom management, reading, and teaching technology all at the same time.

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  3. Mrs. ShepherdJuly 5, 2012 at 12:32 PM

    I love this idea of having a Classroom Economy. I especially like it because it will tie in nicely with my SS objectives and give students something to work towards.

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  4. Shannon KirbyJuly 5, 2012 at 2:25 PM

    Thank you so much sharing!! I love what you do!! I had decided at the end of the school year last year that I wanted to implement money somehow with my clip chart. I would love for you to stop by and let me know what you think. ;)

    Shannon

    SweetnSassyin2nd

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  5. ElizabethJuly 5, 2012 at 6:26 PM

    I really love your system, Stephanie.

    Elizabeth
    Fun in Room 4B

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  6. The Teacher CoachJuly 5, 2012 at 9:28 PM

    I just nominated you for the versatile blogger award! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Teaching with TLCJuly 6, 2012 at 9:16 AM

    Thank you Stephanie for hosting this party and sharing your terrific ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mrs. CrouseJuly 6, 2012 at 3:25 PM

    Hey there!

    I have nominated you for the "Versatile Bloggers" award. Receive it from my blog!

    Mrs. Crouse @{6th Grade} All-Stars

    ReplyDelete
  9. Miss AngelJuly 6, 2012 at 4:13 PM

    I like your idea... its awesome to teach about money and responsibility, while also inspiring the kids to take control of their own behavior.

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  10. UnknownJuly 6, 2012 at 4:50 PM

    I recently did a guest post for Teaching with Style on this topic.. come check it out and add your thoughts! http://www.teaching-with-style.com/2012/06/behavior-management.html

    Always A Lesson

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  11. Mrs. Fischer's 4th GradeJuly 7, 2012 at 11:40 AM

    I have just recently moved into the regular classroom, from a class size reduction classroom, so I have not used a behavioral system up until this year. In the past I used clothespins that the students moved up and down. I would love to implement a classroom economy, but knowing the class I am going to have, I am worried how much time it will take up. I am also not sure when or how much money to give or take away for positive and negative behavior???

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  12. Stacey Mundo, ISTC Achievement CoachJuly 8, 2012 at 8:02 AM

    To add something fun to classroom economies, one year I got our city's human resources department to give me the Word copy of their job application. I tweaked it to make it appropriate for third grade and had students fill out applications for classroom jobs. Each job had requirements. For example, for the Banker, you had to have an A in math. The students wrote an essay as their job interview and I hired and fired them throughout the year. I also charged them "rent", and if they didn't have the money for rent, then they lost their desk for a day (all done in good fun). It was a great real-life experience, and helped behavior along the way.

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  13. UnknownJuly 8, 2012 at 5:35 PM

    Hello, I am giving you the "ONE LOVELY BLOG" award! Come on over to http://thebendersbunch.blogspot.com/2012/07/and-nominees-are.html to pick it up!

    BTW, I love Vista Print too!

    Congrats!!!

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  14. Josh BennettJuly 9, 2012 at 7:29 PM

    I love using classroom economies as well! Just like you said, the kids take things very seriously when "money" is involved. I'm a new follower and I can't wait to read more of your blog. Come surf on over to my blog some time and say hi! :)

    Mr. B's Beach Brains

    Josh

    ReplyDelete

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