Bright Ideas {Class Dojo for Center Management}

I'm so excited to be sharing another Bright Idea with you all but I've got to say, I can't take credit for this one at all!!!            
                                               

I'm sure most of you have heard of Class Dojo and maybe some of you have even used it...but do you really know how awesome, fantastic, and terrific this free classroom management tool really is???

                                                   

No, seriously!?!?!

It is A-MA-ZING!!!

You see, I've taught for 13 years now and classroom management has always been my strength.  I've had lots of different types of kiddos through the years and have used various plans and strategies to successfully manage them.  And then this year I got a totally different crop of sweeties.  So I was forced to reconsider the way I did things.  The main management issue that I was having seemed to occur during center time.  Early in the year I mentioned it to my principal and he said, "You should check out that Dojo thing that Miss B is trying."  Well I'm an action kind of gal so that night I created an account and set things up.  It couldn't have been easier and I just have to tell y'all...it truly saved my center time!  My kiddos are so engaged, on task, and productive and it's really all due to Class Dojo!

Basically, it's a system that rewards points for positive behaviors and inappropriate ones.  You can customize behaviors and tailor it for your class and their needs.

 I award points on my iPad mini and I keep this screen up on the SMARTBoard.  I also keep the sound up so that when some receives a point they hear a little ding and when a point is taken away it's a little dong, haha! (My kids don't miss a beat when they hear the sound but it could be distracting for some...just a little FYI!)

 There are other helpful features like behavior reports, which show the frequency of behaviors.  You can print and share reports with parents.  They can sign up to receive updates from Dojo too!  Plus this is great data to use in conferences, SST meetings, etc.

 Just to try to further motivate my kiddos, our top point earner (sometimes there is a tie) gets to wear this necklace around school.  It gets lots of high fives and congrats from other teachers in the hall!

And the top point earners get their picture posted on the Class Dojo Star poster (nothing fancy but they LOVE it!!!)

So if you're looking for something to to help you make it through the last weeks of school (we're down to 16 days...happy dance) or if you're already thinking about next year, please check out Class Dojo.  I promise it is worth it!!!

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You ARE Making a Difference {Happy Teacher Appreciation Week}

I know you're stressed, teacher friend.

You've spend countless hours differentiating assignments, planning remediation, tutoring for free on your own time, collaborating with colleagues, sending strategies and extra assignments to parents, and stimulating the young minds of your precious students, not only in hopes of preparing them for life but inevitably for "the test."

I know you're tired, teacher friend.

I see you rockin' a ponytail for the third time this week and wearing a dress because frankly it's easier to throw one on than to coordinate a whole outfit.  And really, is summer ever going to get here?  You long to not have to set your alarm, put your toes in the sand, and even read a book for enjoyment!

I know you're discouraged, teacher friend.

You have tried a zillion ways to help your students learn how to find the area of a rectilinear figure (can I get an AMEN?!?!?!) and they're just not grasping it. And you are trying to do this in between teaching new standards and administering assessment, after assessment, after assessment.  Oh yeah, and you have no teacher assistant any more and you haven't gotten a raise in who knows how long!

It's the end of the year and it's so easy to complain and to give up and to be consumed by all of these feelings.  But I urge you, teacher friend, to persevere.

It's crazy how everything the Lord does is according to His plan, His divine and perfect plan.

I help lead a small group in the Kids' Ministry at my church.  And month after month, when I look at the concept for the month, I feel like it's a big ole smack in the face.  It's always something I need to hear.  EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

And guess what this month's virtue is???

ENDURANCE!

And the verse we're teaching the kids...well it couldn't be more perfect for me right now and I'd imagine you could benefit from it too at this time of year!

Did you hear that, teacher friend?  Try not to feel stressed!  Don't be tired!  Do not get discouraged and for goodness sake, don't give up!

You will reap the harvest one day.

Those students that you love, nurture, mother, teach, laugh with, hug, smile at, encourage...well those kids, those very same kids, they will be a better people, positive contributors to our world, critical and cooperative thinkers...all because you did not give up!  You remained persistent, you showed endurance, and you ran the good race!

You ARE making a difference!  Don't you forget that!  Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!!!

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May Currently

Hey y'all!  I hope you've had a wonderful weekend!  The weather here in NC has been absolutely A-MAZ-ING!  My oldest started t-ball, we've spend loads of time playing outside, the boys have been staying up late, and frankly I am starting to get summer fever!

So to keep in line with my laid back weekend, I'm linking up with Farley for her May Currently (instead of doing laundry, schoolwork, making lunches, the list goes on and on...all of that will just have to wait!)

Well I better get started on some things that need to be done (or read a book...hmmm???)  I hope you have a blessed week!

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