Color Us Happy!

To keep our class happy and safe, we need to follow our school rules. We need to be good listeners, keep our hands to ourselves, raise our hands to speak and be good friends to all. To help us learn to keep the rules, we have a behavior management system called "Turn A Card."

We have a pocket chart displayed in our room and each child has a "packet" of colored cards. Each day, the WHITE card will be on top, signalling appropriate behavior and a fresh start. When a rule is broken, a child will be asked to "turn a card." The next card in the stack is the GREEN card, which means the child will be given a verbal warning. If a second rule is broken, the child turns to the third card in his/her stack. The BLUE card means a child will be given a five minute time out, during which he/she should reflect on the behavior and find ways to change it. If a child's behavior is inappropriate a third time during the day, the last card that is turned is the PINK card. A pink card means a ten minute time out is given, and that child's parents will be notified either by note or telephone call.

Each day, the cards are returned to their original order, with the WHITE card on the top, so that each day can be a fresh start, and another chance at displaying appropriate behavior. By having the child physically turning his/her own card, we are asking that child to acknowledge inappropriate behavior and to take responsibility for it. If a child consistently gets a PINK card, we may ask the principal to become involved in the discipline process.

This year we're adding a new piece to our classroom management system. In addition to the Turn A Card approach, which targets individual behavior, we are working as a class towards working quietly. After reading "Harry, the Dirty Dog" we begin to earn "spots" for the Harry which hangs in our classroom. A spot is earned when the class is able to use worktime quietly and appropriately. After 10 spots, the class will earn a reward, which may include a treat, extra recess, popcorn & a movie...it will vary as the year goes on.

If you have any questions, please feel to jot a note, call the school or email me!

etonn@worldnet.att.net

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