Classroom Behavior Management- Why I'm NOT Using a Clip Chart

Is there a teacher out there that doesn't want to come across more and more techniques for classroom management? I didn't think so either. These kids keep us on our toes and we have to keep them on theirs. Adding in new ideas and techniques for behavior management is a great way to do that. 

Like almost every classroom from coast to coast, last year I used a clip chart. Correction, let me say, I HAD a clip chart. Our clip charts in pre-school only have 4 colors, but this idea was right over the heads for my group of students. Maybe 1 or 2 would grasp the concept with serious instruction/reinforcement, but for the most part, in one ear and out the other. They knew green and purple were good colors, but for the most part the clip chart was not a good fit for us and not used to to it's full potential.

Here is what last years clip chart looked like. It's funny to read my post on it from last summer. I was really looking forward to using THIS technique over the one I had previously. Ha, now here I am doing the same thing again. Trial & error, trial & error. 

 

My new technique will incorporate all of the positive reinforcement we are constantly giving our students, along with a tangible item (the Popsicle stick), which will be much more concrete for my students, and some earn time. I also envision this to replace a portion of the edible reinforcements given in the classroom as well. (Which is never a bad thing!)

I will be using the Positive Reinforcement Pocket Chart by Carson Dellosa. If you are interested in purchasing this you can check it out by clicking {here}. Included in the packet are these same editable name tags along with the header for the pocket chart. If a pocket chart won't suit your needs you could use little cups, buckets, baggies in student desks, etc.

I am also using skinny yellow Popsicle sticks for my "happy sticks", which I ordered online. I got 400 sticks for only $9 plus S&H. That sure beats spray painting them or anything! You can click {here} to check out the site I ordered my sticks from. 

Thank you to my niece for adding smiles to A LOT of popsicle sticks for me!

When a child is caught following directions, being a good friend, sharing, etc. they will be given verbal praise and a happy stick. They will place their happy stick in the pocket behind their name in the chart. When we take our earn breaks we will count our happy sticks. The amount of happy sticks we have will tell us what we earn. I have included multiple ways for you to display the earn choices to your students.

You can have a poster version displayed for the whole group, with three variations included. You can create an individual page for each student with their earns, with three variations included. Or you can use the clip chart method. I will start the year off with the clip art method. This way the students can place their names on what they have earned. The clip chart method also allows for space to provide a choice for the earn. Right now I have only included the clip chart in a numbers version. If you have interest in the clip chart with tallies or numbers and tallies, please give me feedback on that.

Once a student counts their happy sticks they will put their name clip on the correct spot. This will show them what they get to do or what they have earned.

I truly wish that I had the opportunity to implement this system before I introduced it to you, but I know that teachers like to prep things over the summer and wanted you to be able to start out with this system from Day 1 if it interests you. I plan to update on how this works out once the school year starts. Knowing what I know about classroom management and behavior, I'm really thinking this will be successful.

For every negative you should have 3 positives. Using the happy sticks paired with that positive reinforcement will be much more concrete for my kiddos than saying "move your clip up!" Working breaks into our day to earn items will also be beneficial to my students.

If this system interest you, you can purchase it on either TpT or TN. If you have any other questions, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not hesitate to ask them!

Also make sure that you check out the other awesome behavior management ideas from the classroom linky by Freebielicious authors. It's week #5 (how is it week 5 already?!) and the theme is classroom management! Mel D. is the host this week so you can find the linky on her blog.