I’ve always used some sort of behavior system so that my students can earn rewards and prizes for their good behavior. It can be a lot to manage, but I find a lot of success by having a whole group reward system and an individual reward system. It really helps me praise the kiddos that are struggling to high heavens when I can give them a ticket, classroom cash, or a sticker for achieving something that may be difficult.
Most of the time a whole group reward is used to get the classroom quiet. I also utilize a whole group reward when I notice students working collaboratively. My favorite whole group reward system is a jar of “fuzzy peaches” which are really just craft pompoms. I have no idea where I came up with the name “fuzzy peaches”, but the kids get a kick out of it and I’ve been calling my jar of pompoms “fuzzy peaches”, since my first year teaching.
This post will be continued later.