A New Year--A New Chance to Change Lives

I am always so excited to start a new school year.  It's one of my favorite times of the year.  I am constantly looking for new ways to spark that flame of knowledge for my students.  As I reflect over last year, I am eagerly looking forward to making changes that I hope will increase student achievement.

It all begins with the classroom environment.  So this is what I did for this year!!

Books organized by Author's last name,
colors, and collections.

On top, Easy Reader Picture books
and Clifford collection.

Reading Nook with books mainly related to science and non-fiction selections.  Also, bottom row contains chapter books and read aloud selections that I might choose.

In the center of the room is two book
carts with a big book cart and this will
be the word work station.  

Other side of word work station.  The
yellow bins will contain that weeks
lessons. (The green recycle bin will
be moved to the end--I was painting
shelves :)

This shelf holds easy readers, sight word readers, and all of our literacy games and small group teacher led activities.

This is the writing table.  It is slanted like a drafting table with a roll of primary paper to draw and write stories.

This is the other side of the writing table with all of the supplies to make letters, cards, and other notes.    (if you notice in the background--you can see the other teacher essentials--air popper, coffee pot, refrigerator, and there's a microwave too)

This is the room from the door way.  We have round tables this year.  I am way excited.  I hate desks.  

This is the Smart Board and group instruction area.  The blue binders under the Smart Board are individual data notebooks.  The bins on the shelf to the right hold our mini iPads.  We have 4 of them!

This is our Daily 5 options.  Because of the dynamics of our classroom and student abilities.  I separated the Daily 5 across two content areas.  Part of them are during reading and part are during writing.  

This year I am using a workshop model for math and have three stations for them to visit each day.  They include At Your Seat, Math Facts with iPads, and Meet with Teacher. 

This is our I Can wall.  Above the statements are three circles to help us focus on a number of the day (recognition), sight word of the day, and letter of the day (recognition and sound).

This is on our door.  It is our classroom jobs for the year.  We do classroom jobs on Fridays and they earn Carrico Cash for completing them.  It is one way to keep our room spotless.  :)

This is also on our door.  We have our line order, bus order, and Friday Activity to help build the excitement and promote good behaviors.  

Another group instruction area.  This is mostly used for writing.  The black bins with blue labels hold our interactive notebooks for each content area.  We will be using these in all areas.  I love them!

This is the listening center.  We have cassettes and CDs.  I keep them at home since I have about 300.  I change them out weekly.

This is our data wall.  We will track STAR early literacy scores, sight words, and math fact fluency.                                               

This shelf is right inside the door.  It holds the students take home bins.                                                                                                              

This is a quick glimpse into my space for the year.  Maybe next week I will have more energy to add some links to some great products I used to help.  

Hope everyone has a fantastic first day and super fun year!!

A QUICK WEEK IN REVIEW

Wow!  A 5 day work week...exhausting.  LOL  I was really impressed by how well the kids did during our first long week back from winter vacation.  Just goes to show you how much they need us!

We had an amazing week academically.  My kiddos showed improvements in 3 out of 4 data wall assessments.  Every week we assess sound fluency, sight word recognition, number recognition, and number writing.  We improved in all areas except for number recognition.  Not bad!  That tells me that my changes to our literacy block is helping with sight words and sound fluency.  Gotta keep that trend going.

Donorschoose.org
If you have not checked out this page...it is a teacher must.  I had my 8th project funded this week.  The last $87.00 was funded by two complete strangers, one from IN and one from WA.  It is a great opportunity to get much needed items for your classroom.  There are also lots of funding pages to help out.  The ones I use are:
www.donorschoose.org/specialactsofkindness
www.donorschoose.org/caringclassrooms
http://www.donorschoose.org/Send-A-Smile
http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/viewChallenge.html?id=356310&active=true (All About the Kids on Donorschoose)

They are always running contest to fund projects and have a chance for your project to be featured on their page.  Right now I am on Special Acts of Kindness giving page and All About the Kids on Donorschoose.  For only a $1.00 donation (it usually costs me more because I cannot just choose one project to help, gotta help them all) its a big opportunity to get your project in front of a lot of people!
Take a look at my current project:  Creative Expressions

On a personal note--I start class number 2 out of 12 for my Ed. Specialist in Administration tomorrow.  Hope this goes as smoothly as the last one.  Wish me luck!!

On to my personal book study--Todd Whitaker's What Great Teachers Do Differently.  

1. Why Look Great?
2. It's People, Not Programs
3. The Power of Expectations
4. Prevention Versus Revenge
5. High Expectations--for Whom?
6. Who Is the Variable?
7. Ten Days out of Ten
8. The Teacher Is the Filter
9. Don't Need to Repair--Always Do Repair
10. Ability to Ignore
11. Random or Plandom?
12. Base Every Decision of the Best People
13. In Every Situation, Ask Who Is Most Comfortable and Who Is Least Comfortable
14. What About Those Darn Standardized Tests?
15. Make It Cool to Care
16. Clarifying Your Core

Chapter 3:  The Power of Expectations
"Students are experts at cost-benefit analysis:  If I skip one hour of class, I'll have to go to two hours of detention.  Is it worth it? (How many of my buddies will be in detention?" (page 19)  The purpose of consequences is to encourage positive behaviors.  The consequence should be natural given the behavior and it should be slightly uncomfortable.  That does not mean it should be punishment.  Clear expectations should be set at the beginning of the year for both the students and the teacher. The expectations should never waiver.  The higher the expectations, the better behaved the students will be.

Have a great week!

OMG! Science Kits Are So Much Fun

Just broke out a new science kit...Force and Motion.  It was amazing.  The best part is we completed a week long unit with all projects and only one worksheet, the assessment.  It included activities for literacy, math, art, science, and social studies connections.  We completed an activity across almost every content area.  We also made a class book (and you know how I love those!!).  Here is a picture of one of our marble runs that we did as we discussed push, pull, friction, gravity, and acceleration.

 Students learned vocabulary, we did classroom experiments with ramps marbles and cars, then they created their own marble run using various materials available.  It was amazing watching them make turns, bumps, and tunnels for the marbles.  They also had to decide how much of an incline their ramp needed to be to keep the marble on the track.  Very proud of them!!

Update on New Year's Goals:

• Increase sight word recognition--improving...I made sight word Bingo cards specific to each child; leveled so they can move up when mastered
• Increase fluency--still working on this, too early to tell
• Increase number sense--we have worked super hard this week...been using centers to count objects to 10, add single digit numbers to 10 with manipulatives, and focusing on reading number 11-30
• Increase FUN--Absolutely!!!

Remember my book that I am reading to keep focused on why I do what I do (and how to do it)?  Still referencing Todd Whitaker's What Great Teachers Do Differently.  

1. Why Look Great?
2. It's People, Not Programs
3. The Power of Expectations
4. Prevention Versus Revenge
5. High Expectations--for Whom?
6. Who Is the Variable?
7. Ten Days out of Ten
8. The Teacher Is the Filter
9. Don't Need to Repair--Always Do Repair
10. Ability to Ignore
11. Random or Plandom?
12. Base Every Decision of the Best People
13. In Every Situation, Ask Who Is Most Comfortable and Who Is Least Comfortable
14. What About Those Darn Standardized Tests?
15. Make It Cool to Care
16. Clarifying Your Core

Looking at Chapter 2--we are constantly getting new programs, discarding old ones, etc, etc, etc.  How come great teachers have success with whatever program they are teaching and ineffective teachers struggle with whatever program they are teaching?  According to the book it's because its about the people not the programs.  Great teachers find success in whatever classroom they teach in, whatever students are on their roster, and with whatever resources they have.  Another key phrase in the chapter is:  It's not what you do, it's how you do it.  Classroom management and relationships are very important.  Praise and rewards work well, but it's how appropriately and effectively you do it.  

Just food for thought!!  Loving my job this week!!

 

New Year--New Goals

New Year's Resolutions...Do you have them?  At home or at school or both?  I think about having them at home, even pinned a few ideas on Pinterest.  But how many people really keep their goals until December 31?  I would bet the average person loses sight of their goals by March 1st.  At school, however, I always have goals.  The only difference is they usually run from August 1st through July 1st.  I get one month to readjust for the new year.  HAHAHA!!

Here's my goals for home this year...and how am I going to do it.

• Increase savings.  My plan--52 Week Savings Plan
• Increase healthy eating habits.  My plan--Healthy Snacks and portion control.
• Increase exercise.  My plan--Workout Plan

My goals for the rest of the school year:

• Increase sight word recognition
• Increase fluency
• Increase number sense
• Increase FUN

Wondering how I am going to do that?  Me too!!  Really, I have a plan.  First I had to revisit some of my readings, such as Todd Whitaker's What Great Teachers Do Differently.  If you have never read this book, the chapter headings say enough.

1. Why Look Great?
2. It's People, Not Programs
3. The Power of Expectations
4. Prevention Versus Revenge
5. High Expectations--for Whom?
6. Who Is the Variable?
7. Ten Days out of Ten
8. The Teacher Is the Filter
9. Don't Need to Repair--Always Do Repair
10. Ability to Ignore
11. Random or Plandom?
12. Base Every Decision of the Best People
13. In Every Situation, Ask Who Is Most Comfortable and Who Is Lease Comfortable
14. What About Those Darn Standardized Tests?
15. Make It Cool to Care
16. Clarifying Your Core

Chapters 2-15 are the 14 Things That Matter Most.  The one I am focusing on the most right now is Chapter 14.  Standardized tests are important, but most important is teaching missing skills.  I am focusing on the real issue of student learning.  I have changed my schedule and created centers and groups.   My focus is literacy.  Starting with sight words and fluency through small group direct instruction, listening centers, and guided sight words centers.  I will keep you posted on how that turns out!  I am giving it 3 solid weeks and reevaluating my plan.  The second chapter I am revisiting is chapter 12.  With all of the changes in our building, it is a great reminder to make decision based on great teaching!!

Just a little reminder of how important planning and thinking is every day, even during breaks.  Yes, relaxation is good, but I relax better when I have everything planned!  Happy New Year!

1st Quarter Blues

Is it true?  It can't be?  1st quarter already nearing the end????  It seems like you spend so much of first quarter setting the path for the rest of the year...and you should too, BUT then it comes time for the first quarter grade reports and I am wondering how I am going to fill them in.  Grade cards have changed so much this year.  I feel like I will be winging it this time around.  Never mind that I feel like I am not ready to grade on much of my units, especially in Social Studies.  Writing and reading are so much easier to grade.  I spend most of my time on this and work samples are readily available.  Oh well, gotta do what I gotta do.

Now on to better thoughts!  I just went to a CPI conference on Enhancing Verbal Skills.  It was fantastic!  I learned so much and validated even more of what I know.  It's almost frightening how much power just our verbal skills have when dealing with students.  We have the power to de-escalate or escalate any given situation at any time.  It is going to be exciting sharing this new information with staff.  I just can't wait.  Some of my favorite phrases I heard this week were:

Be quick to listen and slow to speak when intervening in a crisis.
You think you know what I said.  But what you don't know is, what I said is not what I meant.
Crisis reveals character...ours!


Just some food for thought!

Busy, Busy, Busy...

The first weeks of school are always so busy.  Meetings, planning, meet the teacher night, curriculum night, professional development...the list goes on and on.  To top it off, I am out in the back this weekend.  Last training must of did me under.  Bummer.  So much to do today and so little done.  Guess it will have to wait.

So the best part of school so far--Daily 5 and departmentalizing our classes.  I absolutely love being able to focus on Reading, Writing, and Social Studies this year K-5.  I began using Daily 5 and love it! The kids seem to enjoy the opportunity to choose their own learning for that day.  Here are some links to my favorite resources:
        Daily 5 Rubric
        Daily 5 Posters--I use western theme but they have a huge selection of free themes available.
        Favorite back to school bulletin board.
        Pen Pals with my Joplin friends.
       
Hopefully I can get back to blogging every Sunday starting next weekend.  Have a super fun week, I know we will :)

Looking Good, Feeling Great!

The start of the year is always so exciting.  The transformation from blah to spectacular is amazing.  New carpet has been a blessing to help decrease sound.  Students are loving the new schedule of rotating teachers for specific subjects.  I am loving teaching reading, writing, and social studies only.  I enjoyed math and science, but it is sooooo nice being able to focus on fewer subjects and digging deeper in those areas.  I don't feel nearly as stretched.

For some reason I am unable to add photos of the before and after transformation, but trust me...quite a difference.

Best Pinterest idea I have used so far this year...new student packets.  I prepared two of them, just didn't expect to have to use them the second week of school.  Normally students aren't placed in a district program so soon, but we have had some transfers from other districts.  Glad I was prepared. Thanks for the idea!!

This year, I am looking forward to starting Pen Pals with some friends from Joplin.  I hope the kids enjoy this as much as I am going to.  I will keep you posted on how this goes.

Today's TPT find was daily behavior sheets hourly and by subject.   We have made some significant changes in our elementary classrooms this year.  I am hoping these help those teachers with our most needy kiddos.  They are completely editable and best of all...FREE!

Hope you all have a fantastic year.  So far it is starting of great for us :)

Back to School---Finally!

So every year I read a little from Harry Wong's The First Days of School.  When I read fictional books I always start at the last two pages and then back to the beginning.  Weird, right?  When I read informational texts I always start at the contents and beginning of the book.  I guess that's why I have never made it to the last chapter of this book.  This year I just happened to open it to page 290.  It classifies teachers into three categories...protective people, maintenance people, and enhancement people.  Long definition short:

       1.  Protective people:  form groups (that they deny) and sit in the back of    meetings complaining.
       2.  Maintenance people:  form cliques (that they do no recognize) and always seek sympathy for just making it through the day.
       3.  Enhancement people:  form groups (that they acknowledge and usually give a name to, support group, etc) who contribute to the quality of their own life and organization.

How fitting is this for the start of our new school year with all of the changes???  After reading this I am so glad to be able to say the I am an enhancement person...always trying to learn new things and make changes for the betterment of student success.

I hope if you have this book, you take it out and see how you are going to impact your school this year.  80% will be protective and maintenance while only 20% of staff will be enhancement.

Getting excited...only a few more days until back to school!

Don't get me wrong...I have really enjoyed my break.  BUT I am also very excited to get back to school.  Way too expensive to be off having this much fun!
                    Summer Bucket List:
                    Vacation with hubby--Lake Michigan, Chicago, and Red Bud
                    Branson with Emili--lots of shopping and of course, Dixie Stampede
                    Evening out on the pontoon at Blue Springs Lake
                    Pool party at a dear friends with lots of other friends
                    Cookout with awesome co-workers
                    Sleeping in...believe it or not!
                    Collaborating with my best friend
                    Collaborating with my teaching partner
                    Painting my daughter's room (finally!!)

Mardel's shopping was a blast with all my teacher friends.  For the first time ever I spent less than everyone else.  Whoo-hoo :)  Got a few wanted (not needed) items for my room.  It was nice just browsing and looking for wants instead of needs.

Got my Back to School Ideas board on Pinterest.  75 new ideas to incorporate for the new year.  I am really excited about focusing on reading, writing, and social studies.  Also excited for our Data Teams next year.  I see the opportunity for so much growth this coming year.  Lots of change, but change is good :)

Summer school is coming to an end (boo-hoo)

We have so much fun in summer school that it is hard to say what we liked best.  So I will mention the top 5.

1.  Departmentalizing and grouping of students--not only did we (teachers) like this but when we ask the kids what their favorite activity this summer was they said GROUPS!  Amazing.  Glad to hear that because this was trial and error for next year.  I think we are set now.

2.  Walking field trip to Mugs Up Rootbeer--the kids brought in loose change and used it as part of their math lesson (identifying coins for the younger kiddos and counting coins in the upper grades).  The students used the menu to decide what they would order for lunch and then had to count out their money to pay for it, adding tax and tip of course :)  We walked to Mugs Up, spread out our table clothes on the ground, and had a picnic.  It was a blast.

3.  Studying about the rainforest and creating a painted mural.  Just got them laminated so each student has a 4 foot long poster that they can hang in their room.

4.  Studying about the ocean.  Learn something new everyday :)

5.  Working with the best staff and students in the whole world.  Such a great team!!!

Looking forward to vacation at Branson, Michigan City, and Chicago.  Lots of work during the summer, but always time to play.

Never too early to start planning...for next school year :)

It's taken me a year, but I finally found the book bin labels that I think suit my needs the best.  Thank you to Super Teacher Tactics.  The easy part was printing and laminating.  Now to start sorting all of my books.  So far I have brought home most of my books to work on during summer break, but the more I look around my room at summer school the more I realize I have books in every corner, on every shelf, and in every drawer and bin!  It's going to be a job, but well worth it when I get done.

Departmentalizing this summer has been super!  I love switching kids and working on two major subject areas.  After working for hours on our schedule for next year (and realizing that we need to add 2 hours to the school day to get every subject in with time for recess, lunch, and specials) it is finally done and I am happy about our grouping.  Hope my partner is :)  We have also really liked linking all of our groups and core subjects to one common theme.  Next on the agenda is finalizing a calendar with themes for the year that tie in common core.

I have also made my wish list on Amazon...$400.00--not as bad as I thought it would be.

I am off to plan a layout for next year...custodians want a map to put furniture back after the floor is done.  Don't they know it takes me months to create that?!?!?!

Summer School's a Blast!

Well, the first three days of summer school have passed.  Now 17 more to go.  We tried our departmentalization and grouping of kids and it has been great!  We divided our 15 kiddos into 3 groups (using a certified para for group 3) and each are teaching a different subject.  I thought I was going to really struggle giving up Math and Science, but I think I have done pretty good.  Reading, Writing, and Social Studies will fall on my shoulders.  Sure beats planning for 5 subjects and differentiating each one.  Now I only focus on 3 subjects, which are easily intertwined, and my groups are more evenly distributed.

Grouping of Kiddos
This is where you have to be flexible.  We service students ranging from K-5th grade.  Even if they are in a certain grade doesn't mean they are performing at that grade level.  It's hard to ask them to do something when they haven't mastered the skills needed to do it.  (And asking high fliers to "wait" for others to finish tasks easily completed by them even when completing differentiated work covering the same skill)  We have had to move students around and regroup them during the first three days, but they have been troupers and I think we have finalized our groups.  Group 1 is mainly K-2, Group 2 is mainly 2-4, and Group 3 is mainly 3-5.  Each group has no more than 6 kiddos in it.  Very manageable.  Beats K-2 with 8 kiddos and 3-5 with 7 kiddos and a whole range of abilities.  For students struggling with behavioral challenges I think this is a fantastic way to meet their individual needs.

Scheduling and Rotating
At first I thought it was going to hard to have them rotating from one classroom to the next, but I think the definite break in each subject and movement has helped them.  They see a beginning and end to each subject and movement breaks are just what they need.  I have only heard positive comments from them about moving classrooms.  Summer school schedule is a little easier to manage because lunch is more flexible and we don't have to accommodate specials classes.  Hopefully we can make the regular school year just as smooth.

Just on a side note...I got this fantastic idea from a very dear friend from another district who uses this in her alternative setting. :)

So much to do...so little time...

We have made it to the last week of school.  Where did all the time go?  This year has flown by.  For me, I think partly because of how much the dynamics of my class has changed over the last year.  At the beginning of the year I had one 1st grader and four 3rd graders.  Now I have five Kindergartners, one first grader, and one second grader.  That makes the year fly by when you are constantly changing academic gears.
Some probably question how much I change my room over the course of the year, especially since I preach about consistency, organization, structure, and routine.  BUT that generally is the thought when you start and end with the same group of students each year.  However, you have to be flexible in knowing that if you are in a transient building different sets of students have different needs.  What works for one class may not work for another.  Our basic structure and routine has stayed consistent through the year, but some of the environment has changed a little.

Things that should stay the same:

• Routine for lining up
• Raising your hand to talk
• General classroom expectation
• Hallway expectations
• Classroom/Lunchroom manners (this is a biggie for my little guys--and yes I am talking burping and farting)
• Entering the cafeteria and getting our trays
• Location of classroom meetings/mini-lessons
• Classroom Theme (mine was Cooking Up a Great Year)

Things that may need to change:

• Line order
• Seating arrangements
• Location of supplies and materials (our writing center was a big hit when we changed to the lower grades--needed more space and materials)
• Workshop partners
• Location of centers
• Seating options (especially for ADHD kiddos) during classroom meetings/mini-lessons
• I have carpet squares, bucket seats with bumpy seats on top of some and cushions of top of others, and a long wood bench--choice is always good
• Classroom colors (I stuck with Cooking theme, but toned the red down with blue towards the end to see if that helped with talking and noise levels in the room---and I think it did)  
• I did a lot of research on classroom colors and think I will stick with the pale blue, green, and pale yellows from now on.  Thought I wanted to try something bold, but I really did know better :)

With all of this in mind--I am so excited that we have 20 days of extended school year (summer school) to catch up on some of the skills I feel we need more work on.  And to top it off, I get to focus on Reading/Writing only this summer!  Yippee!!  

Planning Ahead

As the end of the year is fast approaching, can't help but to think about next year.

• Theme for next year:  Country Western 
• Classroom arrangement:  Just how it is now (It took me nine months to find a layout that works well for all students)
• Departmentalization:  I am going to teach Reading, Writing, and Social Studies to both classes and my partner is teaching Math and Science (I have 3 months to minimize anxiety of letting go "control" over math, but I can do it!)
• De-cluttering a few more areas of the room (giving away items to new teachers or packing it in storage until I think I need it or find someone who does)
• Pinterest Projects (too numerous to mention one by one, but will definitely post pics as projects are completed)

School wide changes are being made too!  I am super excited about the possibilities we are going to have to make significant changes to all students grades K-5.  We are meeting this week to discuss the possibility of grouping students based on performance, small group instruction, and other individual needs that can be met by Title 1 reading intervention and Special Education support in the classroom instead of pulling out.  I personally think students are pulled out too much and creates a bigger gap than if they didn't receive intervention services.  Can't wait to see how are meeting goes and who is on board with change--we have a chance to make some monumental changes with full support of the principal and district!

Here are some pictures of my favorite projects, organization, management, and centers from this year!

Self Inking Stamps from Vista Print

Behavior Bingo
Names are randomly placed on board.  At the end of each lesson a name is drawn and if that person followed classroom expectations they placed a mark on the board.  5 in row wins a Lego Party, Paint Party, or Free Prize of Classroom Store

Small group table with bucket seats.  The kiddos love bucket seats and I now have a total of 9 in my room.

I purchased this off of Craigslist and it was missing the legs.  I used storage bins for the legs and now have extra storage for small group lessons and projects.

Writing Center
The kiddos absolutely love this part of the classroom.  Imaginations run wild!!

Teacher Desk
I finally got rid of my metal desk and replaced it with a small table to work one on one with students when needed.
It also gives me plenty of room to work when completing paperwork while working on the computer.

Student Desk Area
We now have a blue team and red team.  Part of my country western color theme for next year.

Red Team

Bench with storage underneath.  The students love this alternative seating during mini lessons.

What a fabulous year!  Cannot wait for next year!

(was) STRESSED OUT

With less than 30 days left in school, I have 3 new students.  In a self-contained classroom for students with behavior challenges, that is huge.  So I found myself complaining this week instead of living up to one of my posts from earlier in the week.

I love this quote because we don't always get to choose our students, nor should we.  I rather look at it like "Wow, I am so lucky that I was chosen to be your teacher!".  Now I have to make the most of this short opportunity we have left in this school year.  Luckily we get an additional 20 days of extended school year (summer school).

So I refocused (that means I de-cluttered some more in my classroom because that helps me feel better) and made some new Pinterest projects for our classroom.  I am ready to start the week refreshed and energized.  Just hope the kiddos are feeling it too!!

Back to the Basics

With only two months left in school, I have finally found a reward system that my kiddos are responding to.  It is rather basic and probably overlooked a majority of the time.  I simple stamp book.  At first we called it a sticker book, but my kiddos are quite sneaky with those stickers (they would remove stickers that were traded in and put them on a new page).  But I one upped them and switched to stamps!  We started by having students pick their two favorite colors.  I then cut the paper in 4 inch squares and stapled them together to make a book.  They put their first names on the front and added a picture if they wanted.

Front cover of book

Stamps from Vista Print...self inking
and better than a stamp pad.  I only
have three so far, but ready to order more.

Inside pages

Each time they complete a desired task they would receive a stamp.  The first task we worked on as a group was cleaning up centers in a timely manner.  I encouraged team work because it was all or nothing.  I would set the timer for 2 minutes and if they had all 3 centers cleaned up they all would get a  stamp.  Then we got it down to 1 minute and 30 seconds.  Now I use it various times throughout the day if we are struggling during transition.  After 5 stamps they get to go to the prize pouches.

An over the door shoe organizer works great for small treasures.

Inside the pouches are pencils, erasers, small bouncy balls, fruit punch drinks, stress balls, sugar free root beer candies, mints, classroom coupons, and other small items.  This has been a simple, easy reward system.  The most chosen items are pencils, mints, and root beer candies.

The other reward system I use is a treasure box.  They all want to go to the big treasure box and can if they stay in class, finish their work, use nice words, and safe bodies all 5 days.  I move their little person across the pocket envelops each day.  Those names on number 5 on Friday get the prize.

Prizes include sensory balls, coloring posters, stuffed animals, Frisbees, and small individual snack candies.

Each day their name moves across the pockets.

So...maybe if I started this in August I would have saved a lot of time finding what motivated them the most.  Bet I will next August!!