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Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Lovin' the Clip Chart

During the last twelve years of teaching I have tried many things for classroom management--flipping cards, name on board, tickets, beads, cubes, sticker charts, etc. I haven't been too happy or successful until this past year. While searching online last summer, I came across Rick Morris' New Management site and his clip chart. He has a great e-book that explains the clip chart and how it is used. Being that it is a tool for positive reinforcement/behavior, I decided to give it a try.

I made my own chart from construction paper and laminated it. I made an "Our WONDERFUL Class" sign and had each of the students sign their name to it, after I explained how we'd be using it in our classroom for the year. Every student had a clothespin with his/her name on it, which started on the clip chart at "Ready to Learn" each day. During the day students had opportunities to move up the clip chart for demonstrating good behavior choices. If a student was off task, he/she was given a verbal reminder. The next time I talked to the off task student, he/she moved down on the clip chart. What I like about the clip chart is that students have chances to move back up the clip chart if their behavior improves; their day isn't over if they have to move down. If a student makes it to "Outstanding" during the day, he/she gets to put a jewel on their clothespin at the end of the day and receives an "Outstanding" note home. If a student is already on "Outstanding" and I ask him/her to move up, they bring their clothespin to me and I clip it to my shirt. Being clipped to me was a huge incentive to show positive behavior throughout the school day. In my class I also use "Tompkins Bucks". When a student brings me his/her clothespin to get clipped to me, I give the student 2 Tompkins Bucks. They can earn 2 Tompkins Bucks for the rest of the day if I continue to see outstanding behavior.

Here is our clip chart in use


Here are a few clothespins with jewels on them.

When a student's clothespin is full of jewels, then it is moved to our "Sparkling Behavior" wall and he/she is given another clothespin for the clip chart. We had many students who made it to the "Sparkling Behavior" wall more than once!


This is the note I send home with students at the end of the day. (I got this from Christina Bainbridge.)


For this upcoming school year, I purchased the clip chart from Rick Morris' site. It's made from vinyl, so it should last longer than the one I made.

25 comments:

  1. I have read so much about these this summer and I am ready to try these in August. Thanks for your post and pics.


    Please visit my blog and consider following me

    www.pocketfullofkinders.blogspot.com

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  2. Great idea! I use a similar clip chart that students can move up and down on, but love the jewels and sparkles! Where did you find the jewels and what kind of adhesive did you use?

    I just started this blogging thing as well... please drop by my new blog:

    www.crayonsscissorsandglueohmy.blogspot.com

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  3. The jewels are self-adhesive so you don't need any glue, just stick them on. You can get the jewels at Michael's in the scrapbook section. I use the smaller size so that more can fit on.

    WILD About First Grade!

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  4. Love the outstanding behavior ticket/note home!would you mind sharing?? :)

    Marcy @ http://busybeesandcupcakes.blogspot.com

    Busybeesandcupcakes at gmail dot com

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  5. Thanks for the GREAT idea! I have a child who is on a stop light for behavior. I would like my whole class (Pre-K) to be on a more positive model for behavior. I think this might be just the ticket. I will have to pass it by the management of our Pre-school center.

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  6. I use the same type of behavior chart you do. I love the outstanding behavior ticket/note to send home to parents. Would you mind sharing? If not, my e-mail is krstdra@aol.com. Thank you in advance- you have wonderful ideas! Thanks for blogging about them so we can all copy you!!! ~Kristina

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  7. Love this idea! We are looking at incorporating more positive reinforcement into our classroom management and love the idea of the sparkling clothespins! Thanks for sharing!

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  8. I love this idea!! It's so positive! I'm a french teatcher and I'm going to incorporate it into my classroom next september. Thank you for me end for my pupils (and sorry for my english... I'm just a poor french teatcher...)

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  9. Can I also get a copy of the note you send home at end of day.

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  10. Hi, I noticed it has been about a year since someone asked about the little sparkle/jewels for the clothespins, do you know if they still carry them at michael's? I am starting the clip chart system in my kindergarten classroom this school year. And I am all about adhesive! I wonder if they stay on pretty good? Have you ever had any that have fell off? Thanks! Pam

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  11. Yes, Michael's still carries them. They stick really good. Haven't had any problems.

    Marissa

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  12. I love the clothesline. I had students who filled their clothespin and now they will have a new home:-)

    Laurie
    Chickadee Jubilee

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  13. I love the sparkles! I used a similar chart last year but gave candy when they got to the top but I like the jewels so much better! Hope you don't mind another copy cat :)

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  14. do the jewels fall off or do they stay on pretty well? Thanks!
    marca

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  15. Marca-

    The jewels stay on good. No problems so far. :)

    Marissa
    WILD About First Grade!

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  16. I read that you plan to buy Rick Morris' vinyl chart. If you haven't noticed already, it curls at the bottom. To solve that, I just tapped a wooden ruler at the bottom on the back to give it weight and to keep it straight. Thanks for the jewel idea! I'll be using it with my clothespins, too.

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  17. Anonymous--

    Thanks for the tip!! You're right, the edges do curl. I've been using 4 magnetic clips (1 in each corner) to hold the chart flat. I'll have to try your idea. Thanks for stopping by!

    Marissa
    WILD About First Grade!

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  18. I'm also using a similar chart I made and laminated. I love the outstanding note home! Can you send me a copy? :)

    j.gilb.396@hotmail.com

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  19. I love the jewels idea. I am a new teacher and looking for good ideas.
    Could you send me a copy of the note home too - hopey.rockets@gmail.com

    Thank you.

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  20. Would also love to have a copy of the outstanding note. jburkhalter@frenship.us

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    Replies
    1. So sorry that I'm just now doing this. :( Here's the link to Christina Bainbridge's Outstanding Note.
      http://www.bainbridgeclass.com/outstandingnote.pdf

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  21. I have been searching for 2 years for a chart that feels right, and I can't wait to try this one! Love, love, love the idea of the sparkles!! If it isn't too much, would you please email me a copy of the note as well? THank you so much! pallas9195@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Here's the link to download Christina Bainbridge's Outstanding Note.
      http://www.bainbridgeclass.com/outstandingnote.pdf

      Delete

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