Student Contributor: B. Musser Silent signals are a few predetermined hand signals/sign language symbols that students are able to use to ask permission from the teacher for simple tasks such as going to the bathroom or getting a drink. This procedure helps to prevent distraction in the classroom and allows for daily tasks to be carried out more smoothly.This is a procedure that is used in place of having raised hands and prevents questions from being … [Read more...] about Silent Signals
K-2nd
Stoplight
Student Contributor: B.Wells This tool helps with noise level, green being normal volume and red being quiet. It is helpful to maintain appropriate noise volume and helps students to be aware of what it should be.The tool should be used to help keep the class at an appropriate noise level. The stoplight has three different components: red for quiet, yellow for low-volume, and green for talking at a soft-indoor noise level. When I was in school, we had a … [Read more...] about Stoplight
Natural Consequences
Student Contributor: B. Brattin Natural consequences are the outcomes or the consequence that happens as a result of the behavior. They are not preplanned consequences the teacher has in place if something happens. This tool is helpful because the consequence will naturally happen and be connected with the actual misbehavior, therefore it will make sense to the child.The natural consequence tool should be used naturally after a behavior or problem happens. … [Read more...] about Natural Consequences
Responsive Classroom Big 3
Student Contributor: M. Smith There are 3 goals of creating rules in the Responsive Classroom approach to discipline. They are 1) establish guidelines and expectations for positive behavior, 2) create a sense of order and safety- both physical and psychological in the classroom, and 3) teach children the purpose of rules by connecting the rules to learning goals.This approach to the Preventative Phase of classroom management will only be effective in a … [Read more...] about Responsive Classroom Big 3
Postive Notes Home
Student Contributor: B. Brattin Positive notes home can come in many different forms, whether they are premade or hand written. It is a great tool to show your support to students. It shows that the teacher cares and recognizes good behavior from the student and then sends it home so that the parents know their child is recognized as well. This not only makes the students feel supported and cared about, but also makes the parents feel this way too.Positive … [Read more...] about Postive Notes Home
The Wrinkled Heart
Student Contributor: B. Brattin The wrinkled heart starts as a simple cut out of a heart and when negative things affect the heart it becomes more and more wrinkled. It is a very helpful tool in the classroom because it gives the students a visual representation of what hurtful words can do.The wrinkled heart should be used as a way of trying to get kids to think before they speak. That is to be cautious of what their words can do to someone’s feelings. … [Read more...] about The Wrinkled Heart
12-Sided Fidget Cube
Student Contributor: M. Ohland The 12-Sided Fidget Cube is a perfect tool for students who have trouble focusing or are dealing with anxiety. There are 12 different sides with different fidgets that the students can use.This tool has 12 different sides. They usually consist of a gear, a rotating disk, a button, a silicone ball, a switch, a joystick, a silicone rope, a soft button, a soft silicone, a worry stone, a sliding block, and a something to pinch. … [Read more...] about 12-Sided Fidget Cube
Quiet Coyote
Student Contributor: M. Ohland Quiet coyote is used to get the classes attention when they are working on an assignment and it may be loud in the classroom. It is an easy signal to show that their eyes need to be on the teacher, their ears are open and listening, and their mouths are closed. This is used if you need to tell the class something quick and then they get back to work. This tool is not really a transition tool.To form quiet coyote, you place … [Read more...] about Quiet Coyote
Chimes for Transitions
Student Contributor: G. Nollmeyer Chimes can be used as a musical signal for classroom transitions. Because each bar plays a tone, the sound is soothing to student brains. At the same time, the pitches easily cut through classroom noise—facilitating quick, orderly transitions.You can purchase chimes with a single bar all the way up to ones with five bars. They make very effective transition or attention-getting tools. Bells and other sound-based tools that … [Read more...] about Chimes for Transitions