Primary daily Report: Green Light, Yellow Light, Red Light-STOP!

*Originally posted on A Not So Wimpy Teacher's Manual.

Daily reports are an easy way to provide younger students with behavioral support. This is a quick intervention that helps to monitor daily behaviors and communicate them with parents. In addition, it can be a good visual aid that can motivate students- some students....in fact many students, enjoy the special attention. It is important though, to remember that this is still a plan, even if simple, that should be monitored, have simple goals, and have an end date in mind. You want students to feel successful. So this should not be a tool with an undefined end date. For younger students a month is good. For the older students, I always start with two weeks. In my opinion, a fourth grader should not rely on a daily report to help monitor their behavior. They should be working toward monitoring their own behaviors because in essence, being aware of your own behaviors fosters reflection and change. Here is a simple daily report using a stoplight. I've seen several teachers in my building who use the stoplight as part of their whole class plan so I wanted to create an easy form that compliments what they already have in place (instead of reinventing the wheel).

Download Here 

I have one form that lists three easy goals: followed directions, completed classwork, and worked well with others. I've also included a blank form that can be completed with three specific goals by the teacher. At the bottom of the form, you will find a key for parents. And an area for them to sign daily. This is completed at the end of the day. But....if you know me, you know that I am BIG on making students a part of the behavior management process. So I've included a sample chart that you can keep on the board for the students throughout the day.

The key says.... Green- no warnings Yellow- up to three warnings and Red- more than 3 warnings. Each circle is colored at the end of the day. You can keep track using this chart on a whiteboard, laminated poster board, the chalkboard.....anywhere that is visible and can be erased:

Download Here

The check marks represent warnings. By having a quick chart referencing student warnings, it easy to a) have the students color their own circles at the end of the day or at stop points during the day. Or, it is easy for you (or an assistant) to complete at the end of the day. 

Now, what if the student fails to take home this report...loses it, ruins it.....parent never gets it????? Here is a monitoring chart that you can keep on a clip board and you can monitor several students at once. This way you always have a copy for your records and one to share with parents/caretakers when needed. 

Download Here

Feel free to download this or, use it as a guide to make your own. Let me know how it works for you!! I have several forms that I am in the process of posting! If you want to get updated every time a link is shared, be sure to follow my blog. Thanks for visiting, I hope you found this helpful!! 

November Calendar *FREEBIE

Feel free to download this cute November calendar.... I provided one that is blank and one with marked holidays. Great for reading logs, newsletter updates, homework assignments/ due dates, and more!

Feel free to pin and share : )

Download Here

Download Here

Download Here 

Not So Wimpy Tips and Tricks for Dealing with Challenging Behaviors PART 1

I don't know about you, but my kids have been a handful this week! We just finished the PSSA's and spring break starts Monday Friday afternoon at 3:01....It is Wednesday, HUMP DAY, and I am absolutely DELIRIOUS! If you are experiencing anything like what I am experiencing maybe some of my tips and tricks can help you survive finish out this week on a good note!

Tips:

1. JAZZ IT UP a little bit. Take a writing lesson and add some pizazz! I've been using video prompts in place of picture prompts. Most of the prompts don't have words and provides an opportunity for students to create their own story/ dialogue. My students enjoy watching the videos and each day I show the same one at least three times. Not only is it something cool for them, their writing this week has been full of descriptive words and imagery! Using these videos are a life saver! They not only stretch our writing lesson (which is necessary because of a change in our schedule this week) but it also keeps the students engaged!

Alma (youtube video) 
Pigeons (a cute animation film)
Robby (a cute animation film with an ironic ending)

2. Sometimes changing up the room can make a world of a difference. My students normally sit in groups but for the last part of our day I had to put them in rows. They were soooooooo talkative. It didn't matter where I moved different students, they were just super chatty today. Putting them in rows calmed them down significantly and allowed me to get through the end of our lesson quietly. We put our desks back in groups at the end of the day. Hopefully tomorrow will be quieter....

3. Creative punishment redirection. Sometimes you have to dig deep and pull out some tricks to enhance whatever discipline model you already have....
           
 a. THINK ABOUT IT. When my students are being very chatty and difficult to manage first I stop and clean the room while they sit with their heads down. That is what I do when my stress level is high and it helps me WOOSAH! My students also know that they have pushed me too far and it gets very quiet. I pull out some chart paper and as a class we brainstorm what positive classroom behavior looks like, feels like, and sounds like. Then I pull out the timer and give them 3 minutes to write a short explanation of what positive classroom behavior looks like using the key words we identified as a group. They have to write until the timer goes off. When they are done we share our thoughts. If they can not listen respectfully, we stand up to regroup and gather our thoughts. We also recite the classroom rules:

We recite the rules until everyone is on the same page. Then we continue with writing for three minutes about what positive classroom behavior feels like. We do the same drill for what positive classroom behavior sounds like. Usually this redirects them enough to get through the rest of lessons for the day.

b. Another trick is using the above classroom rules and completing the same drill listed above. I will have students write for three minutes explaining what "respect yourself" means to them. We will do that for all of the rules and discuss their reflections as we go along.

c. On a day when we are having a really difficult time, I have the students go back to the drills we do during the first week of school. We practice lining up, sitting down, walking through the halls, walking up the steps, entering the classroom, and so on and so forth.....And this is done during recess!

d. Sometimes a personal reminder about their actions is necessary so my students practice their handwriting using this great paragraph:

They get this signed by their parent/ caretaker and return it to school the next day. I also attach a think sheet to this which is  a reflection completed by the student that highlights the reason why they are writing this punishment.

e. If all else fails, call home using this really cool think sheet. The students parents LOVE this!

During spring break I really hope to start combining most of my behavior modification plans/ideas, whole-class behavior plans and other tips and tricks that work into a PDF. Behavior/classroom management is one of my strog points, I would love to share my ideas. Check back soon or sign up for my email if your interested in learning more!!