Positive Reinforcement {w/Freebies}

Hey guys!
My post isn't going to be super long but I do hope it will be useful for you! And yes, there's TWO freebies for you

 today! 

 I want to talk about positive reinforcement in the classroom in order to manage your classroom.

I have a tough group this year. I am departmentalized so I teach reading/writing to two classes for a total of 51 students

 at the moment. It's different and definitely an adjustment! I do enjoy only planning/prepping for two subjects though so it

 has its perks!

But nonetheless, they are extremely chatty and very quick to argue with one another over the SILLIEST of reasons!

They often leave me looking like this:

We all know it's easier to focus on the negative rather than the positive so I've really been trying to get better at focusing

 on the things students are doing RIGHT versus the wrong choices they are making.

As a result, I have implemented several things in my classroom this year and I'm trying my best to be consistent and 

deliberate in following through each and every day with both classes.

The first thing is that I use a classroom BINGO board. It's very simple but the kiddos really get into it! I print the 

bingo board, laminate it and hang it up in my classroom with a dry erase marker strung up beside it.

When I see a child setting a great example for any reason, I will simply say "So and so, go put your name on the Bingo 

board." Up they hop and scamper to the board! They are allowed to put their name anywhere on the board. Every

 Friday, I use bingo cards to draw a letter (B I N G O) and number (1 2 3 4 5) to pick a winner. If I draw B5, the child 

in the bottom spot of the B column wins! I let them pick lunch with me or treasure box as a reward. Sometimes I pick one

winner, sometimes I pick up to three!

Some variations for this can be:

1. If you use numbers for your students, have them put their classroom specific number in a box instead of their whole

 name. Saves room and time!

2. You can draw however often you want for a winner! Weekly, biweekly, monthly, daily, whatever! It's totally 

what works best for you!

3. I have teams in my room and if the whole team is doing a great job, I will sometimes tell them to put their group 

name on the bingo board. Then, if I draw that square, the whole group gets a reward! They love when that happens!

4. If the WHOLE class is on-task and doing great, I put MY name on the bingo board! That means if I draw that square, 

the whole class gets a reward such as extra recess! :)

Like this idea? Good because you're in luck! Here's a freebie to help you get started in implementing this in your 

room!

 Click here to download! I did LOTS of backgrounds so hopefully one will work for your classroom! :) Feel free to

pin and share with friends!

The second new thing I have implemented is what I call "Count It Up!"

In my class, I have 6 groups of students. Each group is a TEAM. This idea is all about rewarding the team 

as a whole. It encourages students to take responsibility for themselves and for their teammates. 

We talk about how to positively encourage group members and how not to "yell" at them or shush them to try 

and be ready.

Anytime I see a group that is on-task and working, they get a point/tally. I also award points/tallies to groups for

 being ready the quickest, being quietest the quickest, getting materials out the quickest, etc. The list goes on and on 

but you get the idea. At the end of the week, I tell the Team Captains to "Count It Up" and they know to go to

 the team points board and count up their team points for that week. Team with the most points gets.... you got it, 

a reward! I give them options and let them choose. Extra recess, treasure box, lunch with me, no homework pass, etc.

The kiddos really like it because it's a healthy competition. Students will usually get their act together quicker

 because they don't want their table mates upset with them. In the end, it has worked out well for me!

If you like this idea, I have another freebie for you! Again, I included lots of background options! I also have

 versions for FOUR teams and SIX teams as I realize classes often differ in size! :)

Click here to download! Again, feel free to pin and share!

I sure hope you  have enjoyed my post today! I hope you like these ideas and can use them in your own classroom. 

If you do, I would love to hear about it! :)

 Thanks for stopping by today!