Classroom Routines

BEHAVIOR

Warm Fuzzies are a fun and flexible way for me to give my students positive reinforcement.  I use them to reinforce desired behavior in school.  It is fun, flexible, and all positive.  I do not take Warm Fuzzies away for poor behavior. In that instance, an email will be sent home when necessary.   

Each child has a cup with his/her name on it sitting on the window sill.  I keep a large container of Warm Fuzzies (crafting pom poms) in the classroom. 

Children can earn Warm Fuzzies in a variety of ways.  There is a chance to earn at least one warm fuzzy per day.  I meet with each student at the end of each day to discuss what they did really well that day to earn a warm fuzzy or what they need to work on to try and earn a warm fuzzy the next day. Sometimes I give them out unexpectedly.  If I see a student who is working very hard, following directions without having to be redirected, or helping another student.  I also reward Warm Fuzzies when I see children being kind, sharing, or complimenting another student; anything that builds community in the classroom.   

I will use Warm Fuzzies to reward academic effort but not performance.  I will not give them out for earning a 100 on a test, etc.  Not every student may be capable of getting a 100, but every student is capable of trying his or her best.

At the end of the day on Fridays, students can trade their Warm Fuzzies in for coupons.  The children do not have to cash in their Warm Fuzzies every Friday and have the option to save. Some coupons cost as little as 5 Warm Fuzzies, the highest price is 15 Warm Fuzzies.  Some examples of the coupons are:

*pick a new pencil (to keep)

*bring a stuffed animal in for the day

*10-minute dance party for the class

*choose an item from the treasure box

* treat the whole class to a piece of candy (I like this one because one child works hard to do something for the whole class)

It is a visual positive reinforcement that helps motivate students, who then encourage each other. The children can look over to the window sill and see exactly how they’re doing!  If a student has a cup that is filling up with Warm Fuzzies, he/she becomes a role model! I LOVE warm fuzzies and get just as excited to give them as the kids are to receive them. :)

CALENDAR MARKS

Calendars are a school-wide behavior management system. They are taped into the H copybook for you to check each night. I will always write a note and/or email you if your child receives a mark, but we base it on the K-2 Walking With Jesus visual. This visual is in the class for students to see and to use when I meet with them at the end of each day. Green means they had a day without any missteps, Yellow means they had 1 misstep, Orange is for 2 missteps, and Red is for 3+ missteps. Students earn a warm fuzzy for a green or yellow day. If they are in the orange or red, I'll talk with them about what to work on for the next day.

HOMEWORK

Written homework will be assigned every night except on Fridays. Studying is encouraged over the weekend for upcoming tests and practice. Homework is based on what we are learning in class, so students should be able to complete their work independently. But, I strongly encourage you to review their work with them.  Students will write the homework down in their Homework books each day, but it will also be posted on the homepage of the class website. Despite changes that may occur with written homework, reading is ALWAYS listed for each day. Just like the other homework, it must be done! Second graders should be reading for about 15 minutes each day. The goal is not for reading to become a chore, but for students to find books and reading material they enjoy. 

READING INCENTIVE 

Students will keep a paper in their Homework Folders with slips to cut out. After your child reads at home for 15 minutes, fill out a slip and send it in the next day. If your child reads for 30 minutes, you can fill out two 15-minute slips, 3 slips for 45 minutes, and so on. The reading slips will be placed in a jar and every Friday, a name will be drawn. Whoever’s name is chosen, that student gets to pick a book to keep from our Read to Win book bin. Please keep track of your child’s independent reading, making sure that they are actually reading for the 15 minutes. Under the Reading tab (in the Subjects tab), there are questions you can ask your child to make sure they are reading and understanding what they are reading.

***I will have copies in the classroom, but the document for printing extra slips is at the bottom of this page when you need them. 

GRADES

SSPP scale for grading is as follows:

97-100 = O

91-96 = VG

84-90 = G

77-83 = S

72-76 = I

0-71 = U

CURRICULUM

 ELA- Reading, Writing, Communication, Handwriting

Math

Religion

Science (No grades are given.)

Social Studies (No grades are given.)

Specials- Gym, Art, Computer, Music