Behavior Management

    I am embarrassed to say that I am ALL OVER THE BOARD when it comes to creating a behavior management system and sticking to it.  I think so much of the reason is because the kiddos are always so different.  Some years  I feel like you can just look sternly at them and everything goes back to normal.  Then there are the years, I pull my hair out because NOTHING seems to work.

    This past year, we used a daily binder that went home everyday with the children.  We created a one-page sheet that went into a plastic sleeve in the front of the binder.  It had the daily homework listed, spelling words, newsletter calendar and a grid to color in behavior.  If they come home on white (paper color) then it was a great day, then you had green, yellow, red...
    It worked for me because I could easily say, "John, please put your binder on my desk."  Then when I returned to the desk I would color in the binder and leave a note for the parent.  Unfortunately I would forgot what I called the binder for (four hours later) and had to ask the child.... Not something I am proud of.
    I have used the red light system with clips before, but rarely remembered to mark their binders in the afternoon at dismissal time.  I have had everyone color their own binders at the end of the day with the red light system, but we had an integrity issue that year and I never did that again.

I have read several post about how to run a class store.  I really want to reward those who do the right thing everyday.  I am collecting pennies this summer and plan on paying for good behavior.  

This is similar to what I plan on doing:

Develop a list of classroom rules and expectations.  As children exhibit desired classroom behaviors, they will be rewarded with coins.  I will set certain amounts for each most task.  Likewise, if they do not display desired behaviors, they will be fined certain amounts and lose their coins.  This summer I plan on collecting small items, but also plan on using freebies that they will be able to purchase.

I would love for you to stop by my TPT store!

Check out more behavior post at this great linky party!

Organization of Math Workshop

I love teaching math!   I am linking up with a super-fun ORGANIZATION linky party to get ready for next year!!

We have been trained with BBY and use What's My Place? What's My Value? every morning.  The children have such a sense of numbers and can do amazing things after just a few weeks of WMP?WMV?
I have found that using a rotation system works best in my classroom.  I will teach whole group math and then the class will break up into groups to practice what we were working on.

Computers - IXL or a Livebinders folder full of math games.
Independent - Math workbook or handout page.
Math Games - Math Box with a game from "last - weeks" skill.
Teacher Table - Reenforce math skill to those who need it - EIP.

Our school pays for IXL.  It is a great computer games based on all second grade math standards.  I love it!  We also have an icon on the computer full of second grade math games.  If you have not heard of livebinders, google the skill you are looking for and add the word livebinders to the end of it.  You will get a FOLDER full of sites to go to.  You may need to open a free account to view, I am not sure.

Independent work is when they will put pencil to paper and practice the skill.  I have made lots of math packets and have them available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.  Here are a few of my best sellers.

For Math boxes, I put about 5-6 things in each box.  I teach them how to play each game before it goes into the box.  If they forget, they may quietly ask a friend, if not they have plenty of other options in the box to choose from.  I randomly pass out the boxes and do not currently have a system for who has had which box...

This picture is from Education Journey.  Her shelf looks just like mine, but I do not have another picture...

The teacher table is most important to me.  This is my one-on-one time with most of my students.  This is when we are working on mastering the standards.  I have a box of manipulatives and wipe-boards that are used daily at the table.

Anything that will make teaching easier for me and learning easier for the kiddos!!!

I have several changes I want to make next year.  I really want to organize all of my read aloud  math books and the items needed to help teach that skill.  I have so many good ideas, but if they are not at my fingertips WHEN I need them, they get skipped over.  

I have seen so many cute ideas on pinterest.

I want to organize my flashcards and small game pieces with soap boxes from the dollar store.

I have lots of pins on my classroom board!!

I want to keep supplies neater for math and the classroom.

I loved this idea - found at First Grade Kate!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoy the linky party!!!  Be sure to check out the other fabulous bloggers for even more really fantastic ideas! Go to Laura's blog, Where the Magic Happens, to check out everyone's posts!