Just out of curiousity.... By Kathy

Is that using various colored cards that you pull? I do something similar to that--only dots on their desk so it's more private. And I don't think it has to be punitive at all. It all depends on how you present it.

When they're on green, they are part of the ICMM Club. (I can manage myself) Nothing punitive about that!! I work to get them to want to stay on green and manage their own behavior. And if they get switched to yellow, they can always go back to green with a definite change of behavior over a period of time. (I like that clause because it gives them a chance to redeem themselves--definitely not punitive!) I rarely have students get on red because I work really hard to make them want to stay on green.

I give each child a laminated "pass" which they keep in a library card folder on their desk. As long as they are up-to-date in work and following classroom procedures, they get to keep their pass.

That gives them extra privileges such as going to the bathroom without permission if I'm not teaching (just slip the pass in the pocket on their door), eating lunch at a friend's desk (we have to eat in our classroom), or going to various centers such as the reading loft, game corner or computers when they are done with their work. (I have little pockets to slide their card into in those areas.)

I have a bulletin board titled: "We're PRO 3-4. P=Positive in Words and Action
R=Responsible in work and play
O=Outstanding love for God and others
(We're a Christian school--you could change that to something else--such as Outstanding citizen

On this board are more little library pockets labeled with the child's name on it. Each pocket has a laminated car (also labeled) in it. If they aren't done with their work, their pass goes in their "garage" and their car goes in the "Auto Shop" (Another pocket) They get their pass back as soon as their work is done.

For behavior, if they are not following classroom procedures I take their pass and put it on a "clippie" that's on my desk. They can get their pass back by telling me they are ready to manage their own behavior. (Usually it has to be at least 30 minutes after I've pulled it. If I've noticed a change, I'll say sure. If I haven't noticed a change of behavior, I'll say, "I'll watch you for awhile and see if you're ready to manage yourself again.)

I like this system because ultimately everything is up to them. They can get their pass back by either changing their behavior or finishing up their work. It's worked well for most of the students. You always have that handful that struggle with keeping up-to-date. (At least I always have--Despite reading the Essential 55!!)