thumbs up

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Home : 2002 : June : 21

thumbs up
By Lianne

I have another suggestion for you to try. I have used this for 3 years now and the kids, parents, and administration love it. I have a 3 thumbs up system. At the beginning of the year, the students and I decide on the classroom
rules ( which are very much influenced by my suggestions!!!)These rules are numbered and are copied to put in their agendas. It must be signed the first week it stays in there all year. Then I introduce my thumbs up. Each child gets 3 "bookmarks" with a thumbs up picture on it. I used clear "Mac-Tac" to stick small enveloppes on the front of their desk. ( I used library pockets)

They are perfect. Every morning , a students hands out the bookmarks and makes sure everyone has 3.During the day, when a child forgets a rule he/she looses a thumbs up. I walk by and pick one up when they are not paying attention to the lesson or ask for one when I am working with a smaller group. They get 3 chances, all day to keep all their thumbs. The children have a homework sheet and on it I have copied a thumbs up and a thumbs down for each day. If a child keeps all his/her thumbs, I circle the thumbs up. If he/she has lost them all, then I get to report home by writing down the rules # she/he forgot that day and putting a circle around the thumbs down. It is quick and easy. It is quick and easy. I call only those who have no thumbs left to my desk , we discuss the behaviour and decide on the rule they should work on. This goes home daily and must be signed.
At the end of the week, I collect all the homework sheets and put them in their files. Those who have
more than 4 good days get a treat, or coupons for the computer lab, no homework coupons etc...
The kids love it because they get 3 chances , those who only have one left before lunch ,are usually on their best behaviour not to loose the last one. They love the treats. It is an easy fair system.
The parents love it because , they know how their child is doing on a daily basis. It is a short and easy report to parents.
The administration love it because ,I report to parents daily.They never see my students at the office ( well hardly ever!!!)
I love it because it is easy to keep track of , I get to look over their homework sheets and see a pattern in their behaviour. I have something to show the parents when behaviour does not improve or they say they did not know. I just take out that child's file and the whole year is there in front of us.