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Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Classroom Management



I am in love with Class Dojo.  Prior to using the site, I used the colorful class clip chart that many of you have seen around the web. Kids would move clips up and down the chart, and when they reached the top I gave students "space rocks", otherwise known as sticky gems, to attach to their clip.  I would also give them a good news postcard with a personal note on the back and indicated one thing they did well that day.

Here's a picture of the cards I gave out.  The back has a similar pattern and an empty white space to write in.
If you'd like to use these for your class click here for the file.


At the end of the day, I would then have students color in a tree shape on their behavior log.                   To read more about this sheet click here.


                                            You can get a copy of this sheet at my TPT store.


But then......
I found this!

                                                                CLASS DOJO!

I keep this up on my SMARTboard all day, and the company also has an app that lets you track student behavior from your phone, or iPad.  So, if we are out at recess, I can log points.  If I'm in the lunchroom, library, computer lab, it doesn't matter. Class Dojo travels with me.

At the end of the day the students record the number of points they earned. The point totals for the day show up right next to their name.  I have various point totals color coded, so if they earn 5 or more points that day, then they color that day on their behavior log purple. 3-4 points earns a true blue, 1-2 is a light blue, 0 points is green, and negative points have them coloring in yellow, orange and red.  So, it is very much like what I did before, only now the actual behavior recording device is more engaging and easier to manage.

To make it even better, my students can now earn coupons with the points they collect over the course of the week.  On Monday, I set a end of the week total the kids need to hit.  If they earn that many points, then they can choose a coupon.  I use coupons much like those offered on Mel's, Suesstastic Classroom blog.  The kids love them!



Class Dojo also keeps track of all your student behaviors so that you can print out a nice sheet to show parents, and the site will even send a daily behavior report email to parents.

The site has many other fantastic features, and best of all it is FREE!





23 comments:

  1. About how high is your point goal per week? And about how many points do your students earn on average. I am a second year teacher and this is the exact system I plan on implementing this year but I'm not sure what a realistic goal for the week is.

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  2. At the beginning of the year, I set it between 5 and 10 points, depending on the class, because I want everyone to experience success and buy in to the behavior program. Earning 1 or 2 points each day is not difficult, if they are following the rules, so 10 is pretty manageable. As we progress through the year, I'll make the point totals higher.

    It really depends on how frequently you give points out to kids. You may have to see what your first week looks like and then adjust the weekly point totals so that 80% of your kids are hitting your weekly target. I'm kinda stingy with my points, 3 points is an average daily total for each student, because I only give them when students go above and beyond in some way. However, other teachers in my building have had kids with daily point totals in the teens.

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    Replies
    1. Hi-How can I print a copy of the behavior chart for class Dojo that you use?
      Thank you!! Stephanie

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    2. I sent the file I created to your email! I hope it works for you.

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  3. Thank you for introducing me to the Class Dojo! I had never heard of it. Can you sent me you behavior chart? I would like to use this in place of my clip chart one.
    THanks!

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  4. I would love to update my current clip chart form. Would you mind sending me the updated form so I could incorporate the class dojo? I woild really appreciate it! THANKS!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I can only download it as s picture file tho. Would you mind making it a PDF?

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    2. If you click on the picture in my latest post it should take you to a Google Doc you can download. Let me know if it is not working.

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  5. Is the class dojo chart available to purchase?

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  6. I just gave everyone access to the form in my latest post.
    ~Chasity

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  7. Thanks for the Class Dojo printable! I used class dojo last year and loved it! I'm team teaching this year and my partner and I are going to use the clip chart system. I've been wondering how I could incorporate both...and this is perfect!!
    A Tall Drink of Water

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  8. How are you able to change the colors for points in ClassDojo? I love that idea, but can't seem to figure out how you did it.

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    1. The color-coding I am referring to is just on the sheet the kids fill out. It would be neat to change the actual points within the Class Dojo site, but as far as I know it is not possible. I have my students write their own point totals in the color that corresponds to the color on the behavior sheet. So if they had earned 5 points, they'd write a 5 in magenta. I have it set up that way because so many of my students used the "Clip-Chart" behavior program in their kindergarten and first grade classroom, so it is a nice carryover.

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  9. What consequences do you use for negative behavior? I still feel like there should be consequences the day of the bad behavior. Thanks, Kristin

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    Replies
    1. It depends on the student and what they did. For many students, a negative Dojo point is consequence enough. Students also use their points to buy classroom rewards, so if they don't earn points then they don't get a reward. I feel that is also a consequence. If a student is needing more than just a reminder, or has done something more serious, then I have the student come up with the consequence. If they cannot come up with an idea, then I help them think of something. It is usually some type of restitution that makes it right, or if they are not following a school/classroom rule the student might spend extra time practicing the positive/correct behavior. Our school uses PBIS, so practice is a very common consequence. Within Dojo I can also message a parent and let them know what it happening, or I'll make a phone call if the behavior continues and I need their support. More serious behaviors are tracked through our PBIS system, and we have a team in place to set up interventions for students that might need them. I really try to focus on what they are doing well, help them set goals, and reward them for doing the right thing. For those students that need extra help with learning the correct behaviors, I take the time to reteach them.

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  10. Is it possible to change the colors listed? I have been using a different group of colors and wanted to try and keep that the same. Thans

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    Replies
    1. Go to this page, http://mrsgabrielsons.blogspot.com/2014/07/throwback-thursday-with-class-dojo.html
      in my blog and there is a form(all the way at the end of the post) that will open in powerpoint. You may add text boxes to fit your needs.

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  11. First of all thanks Chasity

    I love this idea! I wish I had known about it for my first days of school. I will definitely use this next year.

    Regards
    Amit| Laptop Repairing

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  12. Hi, I think this is great. How can I get the behavior chart that you use for the Dojo?

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  13. Hmm... when you click the picture it should take you to TPT to download. Try this: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Class-Dojo-Behavior-Tracking-Tool-840665

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  14. Do you have a copy of the dojo calendar with 5 weeks rather than the 4 weeks? Thanks so much

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  15. Hi,
    How can I print a copy of the class dojo chart? I love it and want to try it on my classroom.

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  16. Are you able to send me the class dojo how was your day chart?

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