Positive Behavior

We have two main systems for responding to positive behavior: Jaguar Cash and ROAR Awards.  

ROAR Awards are for our bigger recognitions.  Each classroom submits one student weekly who has displayed positive behavior related to one or more of our ROAR expectations.  The specific behavior is noted on the form, and the student is celebrated on the morning show on Fridays. The bright yellow forms are in the office, and they are turned in to Mrs. Young/Ms. Ingram's box.  When you send your ROAR student down to the morning show, send your Jaguar Cash with them! 

For our everyday, smaller behaviors, we use Jaguar Cash.  Jaguar Cash is used by adults to recognize students caught displaying our ROAR expectations.  It is collected at the classroom level - not by individual students! - and turned in weekly to earn behavior celebrations. Cash should be given out FREQUENTLY, especially early in the year/returning from breaks, or when working to build new behaviors. 

Jenkins students may receive Jaguar Cash for positive behaviors such as: 

• • • Consistent effort to follow our ROAR Rules

    • Significant improvements

    • Positive character traits

    • Random or extraordinary acts of kindness

    • Meeting stated goals/expectations

The purpose of Jaguar Cash is to recognize positive behavior.  Therefore, Jaguar cash cannot be taken away if a student displays undesired behaviors later on.  Making a poor choice in the afternoon does not negate the positive behavior that was recognized in the morning.  While undesired behaviors should result in a consequence, they should be related to the behavior and not simply punishment for the sake of punishment.  Taking away Jaguar cash is not a related consequence.  

FYI - the colors of Jaguar Cash don't mean anything for you.  I color-code the cash the first time it is distributed in order to informally check who is using it correctly.  After that, refill your cash with whatever color you like - or whatever is available!  

Suggestions/Ideas: 

• You could count/measure the Jaguar Cash at the classroom level too, for classroom-level celebrations!  Just make sure it's turned in regularly.  This is optional, but could be a fun way to build community if it works with your management style.  

• You might want to set a specific behavior target for the day/week, but you don’t have to.  Targets might include: We’re looking for examples of responsibility today; everyone who turns in completed math homework this week; making an effort to greet both adults and students when we see them;  listening for please, thank you, and excuse me; etc!!!

• “Secret Student” can also be used sporadically: “I have chosen a secret student today, and I am looking for them to do _____.  If I catch them doing this, everyone in the class will get Jaguar Cash.”  If the secret student (preferably someone who struggles with the target behavior) gets caught, they can be revealed and celebrated by the class.  If they do not display the target behavior, their identity is not revealed, and we try again. This can be used for other rewards, too, and can help build community in the classroom that is often damaged by repeated negative behavior.  Of course, the secret student can’t always be the same kid.