Classroom Management

Coker's Crew Clip Chart

A Behavior Management System

The behavior management system used in our classroom is a clip chart system developed by Rick Morris. This system promotes positive behavior choices and encourages students to self-monitor behavior.

How it Works

Each student has a clothespin labeled with his/her number and begins the day clipped to the middle of the chart –- Ready to Learn.

Throughout the day, students have the opportunity to move their clip up or down the chart depending on their behavior.

Positive behavior choices allow the student to move his/her clip up one level, while inappropriate choices cause the clip to be moved down one level.

Once students make it to the top level, they receive a dot on their clothespin. When they have earned five dots on their clothespin, they may trade up to a new color clothespin. The clothespin color progression is as follows: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and finally pink.

At the end of each day, students will color in the chart located in the back pocket of their homework folder.

Clip Chart Advantages

· Students are acknowledged for positive behavior choices.

· Students feel a sense of accomplishment when they make good choices and have the opportunity to clip up.

· Students who have had to clip down always have the opportunity to improve and clip up later in the day so they stay motivated to make positive choices.

· Students have the opportunity to go “off the chart” when they show outstanding behavior. The teacher then gets to wear the student’s clothespin for the remainder of the day!

Jere Coker