Even after 15 years of teaching first grade, we are constantly rethinking our behavior management system. What may have worked last year, doesn’t quite pack the same punch this year. Then suddenly, that circa 1999 teaching trick we thought we retired along with our potato sack dresses, works like a charm! Kids are funny that way…Unpredictable, yet totally predictable at the same time.
We have found one thing that has stayed pretty predictable over the years…
Kids LOVE stickers!
and
Kids LOVE to collect stickers!
We start each school year by giving our students their own Sticker Board. We print them on construction paper or card stock for durability. They keep them in their desks, and whenever we’re working in our seats, they know to take these puppies out. They place them on the corner of their desks because someone (That’s us!) is always watching. We catch them left and right and have loads of stickers for the taking!
With Common Core in full force, we added 10 Frames to our Sticker Boards this year. Wow…you should hear the math flying each time they get a sticker. Music to our ears!
“I just got my 6th one! That means I only need 4 more!”
A+
“I just filled up 10 plus 5 more. That’s 15!”
A+ +
We’re really glad we added the 10 Frames! Who knew?
Dare we say, thank you Common Core?!?
Some students may not need the 10 Frames as much, so we made a blank Sticker Board option as well.
The 10 Frames Sticker Board is set up to collect 20 stickers. The blank board can be set at any goal you choose. In past years, we’ve increased the goal to higher numbers as the year goes on.
Once our students collect their 20 (or however many) stickers, they are responsible for writing numbers next to each of their stickers, then turning it in for a trip to our class Trash Treasure Chest. We use the term “treasure” lightly, but to them it is super treasury. Mostly made up of donated fast food meal toys, cleaned out junk drawer goodies from former students, Mom deliveries of “Please hurry and take it. I can’t take the mess anymore!” and really anything *free* we can throw in there that they would like to choose. They gladly dig for the perfect prize!
It definitely gives new meaning to
“One person’s trash, is another person’s treasure.”
Stickers are given out by the teacher, parent volunteers, or we keep a “Sticker Station” in our class where we invite students to pick their own sticker when they earn it.
Class Rule:
You have to receive an invitation to the Sticker Station.
No showing up uninvited!
They love this, but we’ve learned over the years that some love it more than others. A little too much love, as in lingering love at the sticker tub…
So, what do us teachers do when little ones find the loopholes? We make more rules! Hahahaha.
We have a rule in our class when picking a sticker…
Take 2 from the tub (no peeking)
Take a look at both of them
Keep the 1 You Want to Keep
Put the Other 1 Back for a Friend
It’s worked really well for us over the years, and
we’re happy to share our Sticker Boards with you!
Looking for more classroom management ideas?
Here’s a few more of our favorite tips and tricks!
