Behavior Management

Over the years, I've tried lots of different behavior management systems.  My first couple of years teaching, I tried the basic stoplight system where students start on green but move their clothes-pin/clip up as a negative consequence.  My third year, I changed to a card-moving system where students were given more chances before getting to red.  I also added a positive behavior management system where I added ping-pong balls to a large jar every time my students got a compliment from another teacher/faculty member or did a good job in the hallway, lunchroom, library, etc.
When I moved across the state and down to kindergarten, I planned a beach-themed classroom with a behavior management board surrounded by clown-fish.  The sign read "No Clowning Around!"  Cute, right? Students moved their laminated clown-fish from purple (no warnings, awesome day), to blue (first warning, good day), to green (second warning, okay day), to yellow (last chance, made some bad choices), to red (calling parent or meeting with principal).  That worked well for kindergarten and first but when I recently moved to a new school and to third grade, I knew that was too cutesy and too "young" for them.
Luckily, my school has a great school-wide discipline plan so I've only added a couple of things.  School-wide, our students earn tickets for good behavior.  On Fridays, these can be spent at the pencil/paper store (items run for between 1-5 tickets), 2 tickets can be spent for popcorn in the gym at recess time, or 10 tickets can be spent for "Fun Friday".  At this time, my students who have decided to spend their 10 go out side for extra recess with another class, and I keep the students who have not earned "Fun Friday" or have decided not to spend their tickets.  A lot of classes in grades three through five use the Class Dojo (mentioned in yesterday's post).  I tried it for the first time today and it worked out well.  I'm also still using the seven step plan from my grade level.
So far so good.  Today's behavior and noise level was much better.  Now the focus is on improving instructional strategies.  I had gotten used to teaching lower grades and lower students.  Now I'm with older kids and students who need more of a challenge.  Time to get it together and give these babies what they need!
Yes, I'm stressed and overwhelmed but in a motivating way.