Clip Chart Tips and Tricks, Daily Schedule Cards, Summer Stock Up Freebies and a Giveaway!!!

Since I have time this summer to prep. for next year, I've been ridiculously busy creating resources that will go with the theme of my classroom. If you remember, last year I was hired a day before school started and was a crazy mess for months, playing catch up! This year, not so much! Yay for having a job!

I've used a clip chart for a few years and have had great success. Then, I read an post this week about how it can be detrimental to friends with behavior problems etc. and it really got me thinking. I began to question if I was using this tool incorrectly. I came to the conclusion that if it's used well, like any other teaching strategy, it will benefit your classroom environment. So I wanted to share a few tips with you that will make the clip up chart a great addition to your classroom management program.

1. We've all been there, with that one kiddo who is on your last nerve because they're talking to a neighbor, the last to come to the carpet, didn't follow directions. If this child has to clip down, make sure you've used positive reinforcement with them before clipping down. You don't want this child to feel like they're always clipping down.

2. That leads me to my 2nd point. Make sure you try and focus on the positive. Trust me, there are days when it's hard. But for that little struggler, use positive words like ” Thank you for making it to the carpet faster this morning, please clip up for making a good choice.” Trust me, the more you reward the good behavior, the good behavior is what you'll begin to see more often. Use the chart as a positive, therefore, focus on the positive things that are taking place during the day!

3. Sometimes I find myself so focused during a Guided Reading group that I may lose track. I do my best to always stop and have a few independent workers clip up for whatever it is that they're doing well. The rest of the class will follow after their lead in hopes of positive affirmations coming their way. If it works for us adults, it most certainly will work for our little friends.

4. Always give them the opportunity to clip back up.

5. Sometimes my patience may be a bit short during a certain time of day, like when I'd transition during math with my combo class. It was a transition that I expected to go smooth since we'd done it a bazillion and one times. If it didn't, kiddos would clip down because they were aware of the expectations. But if we were nearing the end of the day, I always check the clip up chart and have those kiddos clip back up.

6. Have students be in charge of clipping themselves up and down. The physical act of them doing it will give them some time to think about their actions.

7. Have someone in charge each morning to put all the clips back in the correct place. It will save you time and students love having a task to help out their favorite teacher!
So…the fun part! I've create a few adorable clip charts for you to use in your classroom! Plus, they come with daily notes that can be sent home to let parents know about their child's day.

I'm going back to the beach theme so I printed this out and hung it in my house to see what it would look like. I'm also going to use colored clips again this year. I love pretty things! You can learn how to make your own here!

Besides how pretty these turned out, I love the notes that come with them. There are 4 to the page and the correspond with each level of the clip chart. At the end of the day, students grab their note to take home to their parents so that their parents know what kind of day they had. You can have them write their name and date it. For friends who made poor choices, you can have them get it signed and return it. You can grab a free copy of the notes by hopping on the Summer Stock Up Free for All

I've always been a person who has a daily schedule on the board. I love lists and checking things off. Makes perfect sense for me. I love it because it keeps me focused. Students love it because they know what we're doing for the day. And let's be honest, they love knowing when we're going to lunch. And administrators love it because they can see all of the rigor planned for the day!

I know this is an amazingly flattering picture of me and it's hard to take your eyes off it. But if you can, you can see my schedule posted behind me. I made some pretty ones this summer that I can't wait to use next year!

Yes, this is my fridge! Trying out my new schedule cards. The time on the left typically stays the same. To the right of the daily schedule card, I write the lesson we're working on.