Clip chart update

  My husband came home today and saw the glue and scissors in my hand --"What Pinterest project are you working on now?" When I showed him my latest attempt at duplicating something cool I had seen, he said, "What are you going to do after you retire next year? ". I have wondered the same thing, but I am sure I wil think of something!
   I have used a clip chart for a couple years now as a behavior system, and the one I had was faded and sad looking.  I looked around on Pinterest, ans saw lots of fresh new ideas.  So I went to good old Dollar Tree to see what they had. I found some honor roll certificates with a cute owl on them, and that was my inspiration -- and what I was cutting out when my honey came home. I found the pretty card stock on sale at Michael's yesterday, so here is my new clip chart,all ready to be laminated.

So since I had all this pretty paper, it looked like I could see if I could fancy up the organizer that I got at Lowes -- after seeing it on -- where else? Pinterest! Now I will be able to find things -- especially my remote! Isn't it lovely?

My husband, Sam, got involved in my other project. He finished it today and I will post a picture when we take them up to the school next week. I love how I can show him a picture and he can figure out how to alter it to fit my vision. He made my book barn 2 years ago and painted my polka dotty bookcase last year. We celebrated our 39th anniversary this week and I appreciate him more every year!

Clip Chart

I love my new clip chart for behavior management.  I've used a stop light with magnetic cars for the past 7 years, and I liked it a lot. The cars were moved for bad behavior. But this one is an  incentive for extra effort, since everyone is aiming for OUTSTANDING behavior at the top of the chart.  With my previous system, most followed the rules, and that was good.  But this clip chart recognizes the "Bucket Fillers" -- the children who are helpful and show kindness to others.  When a teacher notices and comments on a child's good behavior, their clip is moved up. And clips can be moved up and down throughout the day, so one infraction can be reversed with a little effort.  It just makes the children more aware of ways to help others in our little community of learners. In only 10 days of school, I've seen children voluntarily pushing others on the swings, picking up paper towels from the bathroom floor, taking responsibility for picking up crayons and toys, pushing in chairs for others, and lots of other little random acts of kindness. My favorite part is that the whole class CHEERS when a classmate gets up to "Outstanding." Thanks to my co-worker, Mrs. Franzen, for telling me about this system -- and to all the blogging teachers who have "filled my bucket" by sharing so many wonderful ideas this year.