- Our school operates on a color-card system for behavior management, I could pro and con this system forever, and I like that it shows individual progress or not-so-much-progress, but I wanted to make something that tied in my class's managment system with rewarding the whole class, and making sure that every student knew that they could contribute to the success of the class. So, the marble jar came into being. This jar (a Mason jar for now, but will also probably remain that way because I love Mason jars!) receives a marble--or two, or three, depending on how great a deed was done--every time the whole class does something commendable. Like today we had our first fire drill: my kiddos were SO. GREAT. Straight line, bubbles in mouths, ducktails with our hands behind our backs...I was floating on a cloud of joy I was so proud of them. A second grade teacher made the comment that her class should learn from the wonderful job the first graders were doing--well, in went 5 marbles for that compliment. Quiet line in the hall on the way back from recess--another marble. Manners in the lunch line--yet another. Perfect attendance--I gave 'em two for that one. Lots of classes have some sort of marble jar, but what I also decided to do was let every student who ended the day on "green" on our color chart put a marble in, too. This way, the students see that their individual successes lead to the success of the class; and though their not putting a marble in because of a yellow or red card does not harm the class accomplishment, it doesn't help the effort. When this jar fills up, the class will be able to pick a class reward (with my guidance). I can't wait for the little ones to work their way to the top of the marble jar! Anyone have any thoughts on classroom/behavior management?
- One of my little boys found a headband on the playground today and was so insistent on it finding its way back to its owner, that he didn't even want me holding on to it at recess. It was so great to see him hang on to it the whole time we were outside, and then to allow him to take it to the office to put it in the lost and found was like he won the lottery. It was like the queen lost her crown, and he was making sure the royal jewels got back to their owner. What a good citizen :)
- Speaking of the fire drill earlier, funny story to tell. Preface to story: I take pictures in class all the time, partially for official documentation, and partially for documentation for the students so they can remember first grade. When the alarms went off in the school, the really bright lights on the fire alarms start blinking about three seconds before they start making noise (plus, we know light travels faster than sound), and in the split second between the light and the sound, one of my kiddos shouted, "Ms W! Now the walls are taking pictures!!!" Adorable.
- If I ever post something on this blog that says today "waz a grat da at skul!" please know that I am just taking hints from the inventive spelling of my kiddos. We're working on getting those letter sounds just right :)
- During a reading assessment today, I was reading with a young boy who was reading a book to me called "Allie's Wish" (coincidence that it was my name in the title!), about a girl named Allie who helps other people with their pets, and is finally surprised with a kitten of her own (her wish) at the end of the story. Part of the assessment we give has the teacher ask the student about any connections they can make to the text, and this kiddo responded with this: "Well, this book reminds me of being at home. At my house, I feel like I am the baby kitten [I honestly didn't know where he was going to go from here...]. And my mom is like the mommy cat, who takes care of her kittens because they are her wish and she loves them." It doesn't get much more real than that, y'all.
Camera died at school today, and then I managed to leave it on my desk at in my classroom, so no pictures this evening. Ger ready for some picture uploads tomorrow, though! Great things are going on in Ms. W's class, and I can't wait to share them :)
Love from Room 106,
Allie
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