BEHAVIOR:
It is important to me that my classroom is a positive learning environment. I try hard to encourage, reinforce, and reward the positive behaviors I see vs. simply picking out the bad. It has been my experience that making note of students on task, making good choices, etc., tends to create a desire in those off-task or not making good choices to do the same in order to get that positive praise as well. I am a big fan of using Love-and-Logic, in which natural consequences are valued. I have found Class Dojo complements these ideas and allows kids to earn points for those positive behaviors. While I try to pick out the good more than the bad, there will be times when students will have points taken away for behaviors not following our Cougar Code: Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible.
Class Dojo is a computer behavior tracking program that allows the children to earn green (positive) and red (negative) points that can be entered via Smartboard, computer, iPad or smartphone. In our classroom, we will combine that with incentives when a student reaches a set number of points. Choices may include lunch with a friend in the classroom, bring a show-and-tell, bring a stuffed animal to school, use gel pens for the day, and more. Negative points may also result in natural consequences as students learn to problem solve and understand the cause and effect of their choices. Please don’t panic if your child gets a red point here and there. It is completely natural in first grade. They are learning how to navigate in a classroom filled with children, and handling those instances is how they gain that knowledge. If I have a concern about repeated or severe behavior issues, I’ll contact you to talk about how we can best help your child be successful. Please note, any severe behaviors will also be addressed with the help of our principal.
It is important to me that my classroom is a positive learning environment. I try hard to encourage, reinforce, and reward the positive behaviors I see vs. simply picking out the bad. It has been my experience that making note of students on task, making good choices, etc., tends to create a desire in those off-task or not making good choices to do the same in order to get that positive praise as well. I am a big fan of using Love-and-Logic, in which natural consequences are valued. I have found Class Dojo complements these ideas and allows kids to earn points for those positive behaviors. While I try to pick out the good more than the bad, there will be times when students will have points taken away for behaviors not following our Cougar Code: Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible.
Class Dojo is a computer behavior tracking program that allows the children to earn green (positive) and red (negative) points that can be entered via Smartboard, computer, iPad or smartphone. In our classroom, we will combine that with incentives when a student reaches a set number of points. Choices may include lunch with a friend in the classroom, bring a show-and-tell, bring a stuffed animal to school, use gel pens for the day, and more. Negative points may also result in natural consequences as students learn to problem solve and understand the cause and effect of their choices. Please don’t panic if your child gets a red point here and there. It is completely natural in first grade. They are learning how to navigate in a classroom filled with children, and handling those instances is how they gain that knowledge. If I have a concern about repeated or severe behavior issues, I’ll contact you to talk about how we can best help your child be successful. Please note, any severe behaviors will also be addressed with the help of our principal.