Cuckoo for Cotton Balls!

This is so simple that I can't believe I haven't posted about this, but I also think it's hugely worthwhile.

I have a cotton ball jar in my classroom. I started with cotton balls and meant to upgrade to those craft puffball things, but never did, and I have to say- dollar store cup and cotton balls have worked just fine.

Photo Source: http://write-to-learn.tumblr.com/post/22330500361/miraculous-marble-jar

It's not a new idea, at all. Many people use a marble jar or something similar, and kids get to add a marble whenever they get a compliment or do something exceptionally well as a class.

1 Compliment = 1 Cotton Ball

But I don't stop there. There are certain things that I think are worth more. For instance, a compliment from a lunch or recess supervisor? In my last job, that was ME- so it's definitely worth extra.

1 Compliment at Lunch/ Recess = 2 Cotton Balls

Another time that behavior is hugely important is a safety drill. For me, there's no talking, no excuses- and since it's so important, it's worth more.

1 Terrific Job During a Drill = 3 Cotton Balls

Annnnnd finally, the hardest time to behave- when there is a substitute teacher. To me, a day with a substitute teacher is really when I need my kids on their best behavior- so to show them how important it is to me, they can earn extra cotton balls.

1 Amazing Sub Report = 5 Cotton Balls
(a little less amazing means less cotton balls)

It's simple, really. I'm making the things that I value more also be more valuable to them.

Whether you do it with a "marble jar" or not, find a way to make it worth their while to be good when it's harder to be good. It works so well for my kids, and when they fill the jar, they get to choose a reward. (And if you play it just right, you can make the "reward" something you were going to do anyway- like my BFG Party!)

New Book Boxes!

So, aside from one little one having a tough week, my class has been really good this week. Like, so good that it's freaking me out a little bit. In the days before and after Spring Break, we had a streak of 6 days where everyone ended the day on green or higher. Six days. Right before and after Spring Break. What?!

I'm not sure what I'm doing differently or if I have somehow scared them or what, but it is amazing.

I've been doing a lot of think-pair-share moments, and then all I have to do to get their attention back is hold my hand up and count down from five. Silently. Without a single WORD from me.

And right now, this is actually working. By the time I get to zero they have all stopped talking and turned back to face me.

Is there some kind of weird classroom karma that is going to come back to bite me next week? Because as much as I am loving this, it is strange.

When I have told them how close they are to third grade, they are almost all pouting and sad, saying they don't want to leave me, and honestly, I'm kind of tempted to keep them. I mean, if I finally have them trained have things down...

Anyway- I can't believe I have only 9 weeks left. I'm already trying to think of things I want to do next year, but I'm still tweaking and giving things a try this year. I just got their Book Boxes (finally) ready yesterday, so today we discussed the rules and got to go "book shopping."

It's funny how they've been looking for books in my library all year, but calling it "book shopping" suddenly makes it exciting!

These came from Ikea, $1.99 for 5 boxes. Warning: Do not go to Ikea with the sole purpose of buying magazine files. You might also walk out with a dresser. A beautiful and needed dresser, but a $300 one that barely fits in your car for the 3 hour drive home. True story.

I added adorable polka-dot numbers from technology rocks. seriously. (that were completely free, if you can believe it- thank you!) using Velcro dots, so that if I ever change my mind on how to use these, hopefully it won't be too hard to re-label. The numbers are laminated, too, of course.

Voila! Adorable book boxes that the students have been waiting for so long, they actually might not destroy. Here's hoping that this stops some of the book hoarding in the "reserved" bin.

Here's my library now (a not-so-great picture, sorry). Next up: library bin labels!