Image Map

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Teacher Tuesday: Behavior management (part 3) and Color-coding (part 2)

If you haven't yet, I would suggest catching up on the previous posts that relate to this one before digging in here. Click the picture below to see all the posts on behavior management:


Click here to see my post on the new color-coding system I am using for seating and supplies:


And click here to see my 2014 classroom tour:


OK, so on with the show. Today I am so so excited to show you the magnet board that I finally finished last week:


If you saw my classroom setup post (which you all have, since I know you all follow directions carefully!?!), you saw an almost-completed version of this board, which is hanging next to the front door of my classroom. The reason I wanted to make sure you read the posts on both behavior management AND color-coding is because this board covers BOTH of those things!! It is an oil drip pan from the auto department at Walmart, hung with some command strips (the same thing I did for my kids' calendar). Let's go through the two main functions of the board:

Color Coding



I made squares of each color I have for the student chairs and supplies (yes, using the same rolls of duct tape) to assign groups for music centers, classroom jobs (such as fixing chairs or putting away supplies), and tracking points in school-wide contests I am planning to run. I will also have magnets with pictures of a few of my "special" instruments of which I only have one- my bass xylophone, gong, slapstick etc- to indicate that someone from that group has first dibs on that instrument when they are choosing something, so that I can be sure to spread the love around the class throughout the year. It will not only help me to keep track of these things but will also help the students to answer some of their own questions (although I'm sure they will still ask anyway...) and remind students who can't keep an organized thought in their brain for more than 60 seconds. 

Behavior Management

Where my board is now hanging, I used to have this:


I have been using a sticker chart every year until now. Each class had a row of stickers to earn and they got to choose their favorite music activities when they finished a row. It has been great to me over the years, but it's time to move on. I looked at a lot of music classrooms using clip charts, with a clip for each class that can go up or down, including some really cute ones that go up a keyboard or guitar. I loved the idea of using an instrument like that, but the more I thought about it I really did NOT like the idea of a clip chart. Too many maintenance issues. After writing my post about my kids' calendar/chore chart, I realized that I could use the magnet board idea in my classroom too- and this is the result.


This entire board is actually pieced together from scraps. The duct tape I already had for all my other color-coding, the letters (which have magnet dots on the back in case I decide to put something else there later) are leftovers from the pre-made cutouts I bought to make the behavior management posters and MUSIC letters, and the keyboards are made from extra white contact paper and black painter's tape which I used to make my DIY interactive whiteboard. 

I made little magnets with the name of each class on it. I had to make them small so they would all fit on one key, but they will quickly get spread out as they move up at different speeds so it won't look so crowded. Right now they are all on the bottom black key (all the K-3 classes are on the bottom keyboard and 4-6 is on the top). Instead of earning stickers to fill a row, they will work their way to the top black key. Once they earn that first incentive, they have to start back at the bottom but this time on the white keys (so it will take a little bit longer). The third step will be to go up all the black and white keys by half steps. I LOVE the idea that they earn the first incentive more quickly, but then they have to up the ante each time! By my calculations it should take most classes about half a year to go through those 3 steps, and then they can start over on just black keys.

I am still waffling about the incentive when they complete a set of keys. In the past I let them vote on their favorite music-related activities and we did them together (usually a music talent show, game like freeze dance, free instrument choice, or a favorite game/song from class). I am considering making some or all of the "reward days" into center options so that a variety of students can pick things they want instead of having to endure what the majority wants after working so hard. My issue is I really like the idea of talent shows and full-class games. So my current thought is make the first two (for just black or white keys) centers and make the 3rd (for the whole keyboard) a full-class one.... Thoughts??? Please leave a comment here or head on over to my Facebook page. I'd really like your input! Let me know what you think of my new board too. Improvement? I definitely think so :)

10 comments :

  1. At my old school, the art teacher had a similar behavior plan. When the students earned enough sticks, they got a free day, where each student chose whatever project they wanted to do from the materials she had sitting out. She was still able to somewhat drive their options with the materials she sat out, but the kids still had the final choice in what they wanted to do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That sounds pretty similar- I will have to share with my art colleague too! I like the idea of giving students some options.

      Delete
  2. Hi Elizabeth,
    I really enjoy reading your blog. :D I hope you read comments this far back. I was just wondering how your students were doing with the keyboard management tactic. This sounds like a really effective method and just wanted to hear more about it.When do you move each class up? When they follow your three classroom rules? Is it pretty subjective or objective in allowing them to move up? Just a bit curious.
    Hope all is well! Thanks.

    Megumi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Megumi! So far it is working well. The effect is pretty much the same as earning stickers at the end of each class (like I have always done in the past), but it is a nice change to do something different and it's fun to have way to get kids familiar with the arrangement of piano keys at least. The way classes move up is based on how many letters they earned (read the linked post at the top about my letter system- let me know if it doesn't make sense and I'll explain it :P ). How they earn those letters is admittedly a little subjective. It is based on whether they are following the thee classroom rules, but I have to make judgement calls from class to class on whether getting through a 2-minute activity without anyone interrupting is cause for celebration (and another letter) or just standard expectations. Obviously it's different depending on the ages, but depending on the particular students I will also do things differently- some classes just need a lot more positive reinforcement just to stay on task, and others are motivated by higher expectations. Sorry, I'm not sure if my explanation is helping or just making things more confusing! :) Let me know. Thanks for the question :)

      Delete
  3. Thanks for pointing me to this post. I think I found my next summer project. I get the impression we have very similar student populations. I also love your 'Houses' idea and think I want to talk about that with my team (I know I won't get it implemented building wide). Can't wait to read/hear more about your management.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I bet if you rolled this out with your team it would make a huge difference- and I wouldn't be surprised if the rest of the building followed suit after seeing it! Having a unified approach to behavior makes such a huge difference. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions as you work on it for your particular setting!

      Delete
  4. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog. I have gotten so many ideas and plan on using them in my room this year. Thank you for being so thorough in all of our posts! You are great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for the lovely comment- you made my day! I'm so glad to hear that others are finding my writing useful :)

      Delete
  5. Your blog has been a real sanity saver for me so it makes me happy to have something to share in return!
    The incentive my kids (grades 1-5) can't get enough of is free seating. I have a big guitar poster and classes can move their class pick up the neck. Every 5 frets earn them a chance to choose their own seating for one class.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the guitar and pick idea- so cool! :) When you let them choose their own seats, do you find you have more management problems? Do you give some kind of disclaimer at the beginning about how you will move their seats back if there are problems? I'd love to hear how this works for you- I may use it as the first incentive they reach when they go up just the black keys of the keyboard. Thanks for sharing!

      Delete