Classroom Management

Someone was posting about this last week and I meant to take pictures of what I use and link up, but I kept forgetting to take my camera to school. So I finally snapped some shots today.

I've always had my kids desks arranged in tables and I've always given out table points when tables are following directions or dispalying great behavior. On Fridays the table with the most points got treasure box. A few years ago I started using money instead of points. So now I just give out a penny to the table that does whatever I ask. I also give out coins to individual students anytime- could be while lining up, in the hallway, during reading stations, in the lunchroom, at an assembly, etc. Whenever we line up to travel I'll say "I'm bringing 2 pennies" and my kids know that I'll give them away to whoever is using their best manners. Once a table gets 5 pennies we trade up for a nickel and eventually they can trade for dimes and quarters if they get enough points. And sometimes I give out nickels, dimes, or quarters if I see something that really deserves it. Even individually earned money counts for the whole table though. So just because there's a big trouble maker at that table doesn't mean they'll never earn money.

I hot glued magnets on some play coins and I stick them high on the board so little ones can't mess with them. I only have 2 tables now (we used to have 4).

I keep the coins in this little divided container I found at the thrift store. It needs a cute label on the front. Anyone with cute fonts want to make me one?!

I love this because:
a) it's quick and easy to do- if we're out of the room the kids just stick the coin in their pocket until we return
b) it's teaching counting and trading coins
c) I only have to give away about 5 treasure box prizes per week
d) I can secretly rig it (by giving out a valuable coin) so a table can get treasure box if they haven't had it in a long time!