Classroom Management-Keep it simple!

I am FINALLY writing a blog post! Last year was just a little too crazy as a first year teacher to start the blogging business. But this year I am ready to share my love for all things kindergarten! I am anxiously awaiting when I can begin to decorate my classroom. It is currently under some construction, so I had to clear everything out of it. What better excuse than to try some new decor and setup this year!?

This summer I have already started crafting and creating in anticipation. My first creation was to modify my behavior system. Last year I had a five tier clip chart. I found this was just too much to keep track of during a kinder day! I didn't have enough time to move the clips, or even think to tell the kids to move them enough for a five tier system to work. My veteran kinder coworkers gave me some priceless advice I now recite to myself- KISS. "Keep It Simple Silly!" When it comes to something so crucial like classroom management, nothing could be better advice! Long story short I am so excited with my new, much simpler clip chart.

First I cut out three large circles using construction paper. Then I used sharpie to draw the faces on each circle. I glued the circles on a piece of black rectangle construction paper. I know I didn't order them like a normal stoplight, but I like to equate green with being the TOP choice, and red with being the least desirable on the bottom. Then I laminated the entire creation. I laminate nearly everything. I have my own personal laminator at home. It is an obsession of mine!

This clip chart is awesome because it connects a proper emotion with its respective color and the child's choice. Also, it is easy colors for students to relate to- red being the worst, green the best. The only thing missing in the picture are the clothespins on the sides. I wait until I get my class list to write the names in sharpie.

Until next time, she lived happily ever after...
Christie