Classroom management and a class book freebie

I hate coming up with titles for my blog posts. I'm just not good at it. Titles elude me. When I took some creative writing classes in college, I always struggled with that part of writing. So I'm going with obvious.
This is my third week in school and so far it is going pretty well. Not fantastic or wonderful but not bad. It's the beginning of kindergarten and there are always bumps along the way. The past 6 years I've used some kind of clip chart. It is what worked for me. The past 2 years it's been a chart where they can move up or down. Well, after doing some reading on different blogs and The Whole Brain Teaching for the Challenging Student, I decided to try something different.
I'm not using a clip chart this year. So far it is going ok. I am asking students to go back to their seat or be separated from the group when they are not following rules. If they have to be separated from the group than they have to sit out a few minutes during recess. I'm asking them to practice the rule they broke with me after they sit and think. I am sending a note home or calling parents if the behavior escalates or gets out of hand. I have a post it note pad and pen in my apron (which I got from Miss Kindergarten's Etsy store and I love). I write down their names and time and it helps me stay on top of things.
Part of the reason I've chosen to get rid of my clip chart is because parents and kids get obsessed with the chart. A clip chart also doesn't fix the behavior. So I'm trying this out this year. I'm trying logical consequences and lots and lots of modeling.
I'm slowly implementing some whole brain teaching strategies. I've been using the rules and the motions that go with the rules. They are going well so far. My kids seem to have learned them. Not that we're going to stop practicing them. We practice them several times a day. I've also implemented the Class!Yes!. It is slow going to get my kids to stop what they are doing but it's coming. The next step to implement is the scoreboard.

One of the first class books we make is about our names. So I'm offering it up as a freebie.

Click here for the freebie. 

I would love it if you would leave me a comment if you download my freebie and I would also love to hear what kind of classroom management system you use. I hope to be back tomorrow with 5 pictures from the week. 

Classroom Management 10 Pin Party

We got back from the beach on Saturday and I had big plans to join this party on Sunday. But it didn't happen. Chris and I spent the evening out at the lake with his family. It was so nice and relaxing. Then yesterday was my birthday and I spent the whole day with one of my favorite girls, my niece. Mondays are my day with her and it was perfect to spend the day with her. She was so sweet. Randomly through the day she would throw her arms around me and then wish me a happy birthday. It was a great way to spend my day but I was exhausted. She didn't take a nap which meant I didn't get my nap. I have to leave my house by 6:30 to get to my sister's before she goes to work which is earlier than I get up to go to school. But now I'm rested up and ready to get some things done today. I'm joining Just Reed for her Ten Pin Linky this week all about classroom management. (I think this was actually last week's party but I'm a little late)

 1. The first pin is about whole brain teaching. While I was on vacation, I read the book Whole Brain Teaching for Challenging Kids. I am hooked on the idea and I can't wait to get things going for next year.

http://pinterest.com/pin/167055467400661871/

2. Here's another whole brain resource. This pin takes you to a blog that has a ton of examples of WBT in action. It is also an honest look at implementing the strategies.

http://pinterest.com/pin/167055467400576619/

3. Timers on a bracelet. I love this idea. I am terrible about keeping up with time. I have been using my iphone for timing things but I don't always keep it right by me. So I love this idea. I need to implement this next year. (I'm loving these parties because it reminds me of what I want to do next year.)

http://pinterest.com/pin/167055467400142728/

4. No name board. This is on my summer to do list. I hate all the papers I get with no name on it. I would love to have a place to hang them. I had planned on going to hobby lobby to get the supplies yesterday but my niece wouldn't have it. 

http://pinterest.com/pin/167055467400710125/

5. Homework Bingo - The class that I just had was great about turning in their homework. I didn't have to bribe them or anything. But the group I had before was not like this at all. So I love to have a few ideas in my pocket for how to motivate kids to get their homework turned in.

http://pinterest.com/pin/167055467400621224/

6.Part of Whole Brain Teaching is the Class/Yes responses. I like that but I think it would be fun to change it up sometimes. So here's a pin with different call and responses.

http://pinterest.com/pin/167055467400729971/

7. I love this idea for keeping track of who might need help on a concept later. I don't know if this is exactly how I would do it in my classroom, but I like the idea.

http://pinterest.com/pin/167055467399974887/

8. Ron Clark is one of my favorite teachers. I love his ideas on classroom management. I love this idea of buttons that was inspired by him. They are a great reward for students who do well.Plus they can be reused. 

http://pinterest.com/pin/167055467397779240/

9. I got these coupons from Melissa Dillard last year but I haven't printed them out. That is definitely a must for next year. I love these ideas and they aren't a treasure box.

http://pinterest.com/pin/167055467400739701/

10. My last pin is another Whole Brain teaching resource. It comes from a friend of mine, Melissa from Transitional Kindergarten. 

She has tons of ideas and resources for WBT. This is a powerpoint that is perfect for introducing the WBT concepts and the best part is it's fre. 

http://pinterest.com/pin/167055467400739688/

So those are my 10 pins all about classroom management. I hope to share more about WBT as I get into it. I would love to hear about your experiences using it. Be sure to head over to the party at Just Reed and see what others have pinned.

Bloggy Happiness

I spent the day yesterday working in my room and it is finally starting to look like a classroom again. I would say most of my projects were blog inspired.
I created a graffiti bulletin board. This idea came from the blog Minds in Bloom. The butcher paper I put on it will change either weekly or every two weeks. There will be a topic on it and the kids can draw and write different things that have to do with the theme. I think the first one will be summer vacation.

I also worked on my behavior chart. That was definitely inspired by the blogging community. I'm using the clip chart with the positive spin on it. I'm pretty excited about trying this out this year. I'm also using the rules that were posted on The Polka Dot Patch blog. I printed them, added them to cutesy card stock and now just need to laminate and post. I'm super excited to be trying something new this year. I think it's important to change things up so that you don't get bored.

I still have some projects left to work on but luckily I have about 2 weeks before the first student arrives in my room. My brain is a little full today because we had our first day of a staff retreat. It was overwhelming discussing all the new things coming up this year. New math series. New common core standards. New evaluation system. I'm really trying to be as positive as possible this year. This blogging community has really helped me be excited about trying new things and the upcoming school year. But how do you cope with all the negativity you can find in a school? How do you handle the other teachers that aren't excited about the school year? I would love to hear your ideas about how to stay upbeat and positive.