Classroom Management Salvation with a You Tube Video Explanation!

Sometimes I feel like the classroom nag.

Sit in your chair correctly.
Write your name on your paper.
Don’t eat your crayons.
Write your name on your paper.
Stop licking your neighbor.
Write your name on your paper.

I am no longer the classroom nag, no sir-ee. I end my day bragging!

Awarding Kids / 30 Second Awards Ceremony

Here is the deal. I still use a clip chart/ card pulling chart. I think kids need a visual reminder of how it’s going. And you know what, it just works for me. It keeps me from having to give dirty looks, give and get tickets constantly, and the constant vocal appeals to control their behavior.

But a clip chart/ card pulling chart can have a very negative damaging effect. It can make a child absolutely famous for all the wrong reasons. By systematically praising my students, I build them up with quality genuine praise while also keeping them in line during the day. The bottom line. Not one child is all good or all bad. It’s a mixed bag. Shout Outs help to me praise even the hardest child, who picks their boogers during every lesson and eats them. You know what… Booger boy not only keeps a clean nose, he also keeps a clean desk.

Just in case the video isn't working, I thought I might explain as well:
During last recess, I start pulling notes from a pocket chart (my friend uses a shoe holder) and I write names on the mini awards.

30 second shout outs highlight excellence. Like a mini awards ceremony! Simply print, photocopy, and reward! More than 80 rewards included in full and quater sheet sizes.

How It Works For Me

OK so we know Miley Cyrus is currently a little, um, wild, but if I had to teach her right now, in her current state, I would need to find a way to catch her being good. I did not make a note that says “ Good job staying fully clothed” but Miley might keep a clean desk, and that might be the only thing I could find to praise. These notes help me to easily see the good in every child.

Brag about your students when you see a glimmer of great behavior because nagging them won't work

As the kids finish packing up they come to the carpet wearing their packs, and we have a 30 second awards ceremony. I call out a name, say what the award is for, and shake their hand. They take their award and stand in front of the group. Then I award 5-7 kids. ( See graphic below) It looks something like this…

BRAG don't NAG - Such a cute way to shout out great classroom behavior and watch it multipy

Then the “audience kids” take out their imaginary cameras, make picture taking sounds, and then shout in unison, “You’re FAMOUS!” I swear the little award recipients are beaming, blossoming, and making me tear up almost every day. Then we leave. These awarded kids go soaring out the door and their first words when they get in the car are…

“MRS KNIGHT GAVE ME AN AWARD TODAY! I’M THE PRINTING PRINCE!” Then the mother kisses her elated child, and the mom gives me an extra big smile while I am out on traffic duty.

What a scene. It’s really amazing!

Brag about your students when you see a glimmer of great behavior because nagging them won't work and you never know what your students can go on to accomplish

Plus, we never know what a child can become with extra encouragement. Maya loved words! And once she found her voice, she shared it with the world!

Shout out great classroom behavior- brag instead of nag (5)

Brag about your students when you see a glimmer of great behavior because nagging them won't work and you never know who your students will go to touch or what live they will help change in the future

We don’t know if the child in front of us is going to go on to help others in the field of education. I want to meet the person that encouraged Cara in her early life. I want to meet the person who told her she should write a blog. I want to thank them. I want to foster in others what someone had fostered in Cara! Maybe someday one of my students will come back and say, “Thanks for the encouragement notes Mrs. Knight. It made a difference!”

Shout out great classroom behavior- brag instead of nag

Sub Helper Notes- Leave this series of 4 notes for your sub to hand out at the end of the day for the kids who helped her most

These are Sub Helper Notes- I leave a series of 4 notes for my sub to hand out at the end of the day. She or he picks the kids who helped most. My last sub begged me for a copy of the notes. She plans to use them daily for the various rooms she visits. Awards praise being calm, raising hands, listening carefully and following directions. What more could a sub ask for!?!

Shout out great classroom behavior- brag instead of nag (4)

Shout out great classroom behavior- brag instead of nag (3)

Shout out great classroom behavior- brag instead of nag (2)

Organizing is easy!

You can use a pocket chart, an index card file, a shoe hanger, clear sleeves in a folder, or just stacks standing on end in a drawer.

I am using a centers chart that came with my reading series, but I found these stunning shoe organizers and I am about to buy them because the colors are amazing!

Starting: You can print up the 20 notes you think you will need most or start with 1 kind of award. Award peacemakers for a week, then switch to award printing princes and princesses, then switch to children to receive compliments. I included lots of management tips, check off sheets and a complete table of contents in the unit

Shout Outs and Parent Reminders will help you be positive and organized all year long! I am mentioning Parent Reminders now, because part of having a stress free positive classroom is being organized. Nothing is worse or more stressful than scratching out a note at the end of the day! These grab and go notes are just like shout outs, 4 to a page, and easy to use!