God in the Classroom

After church today, I was inspired to make this poster.  It's also something I have told myself each year before I start the year, and the service made me think about it.  I know it doesn't pertain to everyone. :-)  I then had some requests for a copy after it was posted on my Facebook page, so I thought I would make it available.

God in the Classroom Poster

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Positive Reinforcement in the Classroom

positive- affirmation, approval, indicating acceptance, having a good effect, marked by optimism

reinforcement- the act of reinforcing, making stronger, to stimulate or encourage

I don't know about you, but I love positive reinforcement.  I think it is a natural desire to want positive affirmation for our actions.  Even in my teaching job, I love it when someone tells me I did a good job or gives me an award.  In the teaching world, it may be something simple like a note left on your desk from your principal or being given a special jeans pass for doing something over and beyond. Wouldn't you be crushed if your principal walked out of our room only leaving you with a negative comment.  Just imagine!  I don't want people to focus on what I have done wrong, and I don't think when it comes to a student's behavior the focus should just be on the negatives. Now, I am not completely saying that kids don't need to have inappropriate behaviors pointed out to them, because I feel they do.  But, once you have given a child an understanding of what appropriate behaviors are, I think it vital to catch them in the act and point it out to them, offering them the positive reinforcement for that behavior.  Tell them right when  you see them do something good.  Make it a point to be positive, and with some teachers this is not an automatic, so they may need to make a conscience effort to do this. One suggestion is to set up a behavior management system in your classroom that is based on positive reinforcement.  I have done this for years, and I have found it to be very effective.  Most kids naturally want to please, and I have even found over my twenty years of teaching that 'bad' kids want to do well too.  Sometimes those kids are the ones that hear negative after negative after negative.  It is up to us, the teacher, to stop that for them.  Tell them how well they did.  You never know, you might be able to offer the positive affirmation that the child has never before received.  Try it. :-)

As a reminder to think positively, I made this FREE positive thinking Poster.

Positive Thinking Poster for Teachers

Feel free to pin.  Just hover over the image.

For your classroom, you will love this positive reinforcement "Pocket Bucks" money system.  Check it out in my Teachers Pay Teachers Shop for all of the details.  It has everything needed for a colorful positive reinforcement bulletin board.  This can be used for whole class, or you can use an individual pocket for one child if needed.

Pocket Bucks for Positive Reinforcement 

Feel free to pin.  Just hover over the image.

Another fun idea that the kids will love are my Arm Charm Brag Bracelets.  Check those out too.

Brag Bracelets

Feel free to pin.  Just hover over the image.

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Thank you for helping to spread the word about Classroom Confections.

We appreciate you 'liking' us on facebook, tweeting about us, or pinning us on Pinterest. 

        

                  For more fun and creative ideas for the classroom, click the above picture to go to my store.

If Only We Were Just Teachers

Feel free to pin. Just hover over the image.

Share the Sweetness!

Thank you for helping to spread the word about Classroom Confections.

We appreciate you 'liking' us on facebook, tweeting about us, or pinning us on Pinterest. 

                      

              For more fun and creative ideas for the classroom, click the above picture to go to my store.

Something that Annoys this Teacher

Things that Annoy the Teacher

Do you have anything that absolutely annoys you?  Things that don't seem to bother other people, yet they get on your ever-lasting nerve.  To some people, this might be called a pet peeve. The dictionary says that a pet peeve is a minor annoyance, but I am afraid that mine is more than minor. What do you call it if it reaches 'major' annoyance?  Good question, ah?  I'm probably getting into some kind of psychological diagnosis when it gets to that point.  HA!

 

My annoyance is  going to seem ridiculous to some, but here goes.......

No, it's not the potato chips and Pop-tarts themselves.  It's the packaging!  I can not stand to hear the rattling of the package.  For example, if someone is sitting beside me and they keep sticking their hand inside the package to get some chips out.  I hate the sound every time their hand reaches in the bag.... over and over again.... so annoying!  If you are sitting by me and you eat a Pop-tart (or anything else in a package), please, please remove it from the package and put it on a paper towel.  The crinkling sound just drives me nuts. I know, it's crazy! ................okay, it's not like I can't ever be in the same room with someone who has to eat from the bag, but hear me now....I'm cringing on the inside... 

My kids and husband have pretty much gotten used to me saying, "That gets on my nerves!"  When I am teaching and it's snack time, my students know the routine from day one....no packages!! Either use a Zip lock bag (not nearly as much noise) or put it on a paper towel.  If they didn't know what a pet peeve was before they arrived in my class, they go home from the start with a new vocabulary word.  Plus, they get a good laugh out of it. We always laugh about it. :-)

 

I am not alone when it comes to stuff like this. Some favorite annoyances shared on the Internet are:

• People who block the aisles in Wal-mart, talking
• Pens clicking
• Whining
• smacking food
• People who take up two parking spaces
• People who drive under the speed limit
• So many more!!

 It's packages for me, but it's other things for other people.  With me, I probably have some kind of sensitivity to high-pitched sounds or something like that. Either that or I'm just a complete wack-O! What about you, do you have anything that annoys you?

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FREE Birthday Pencil Toppers

I don't do a whole lot for my kids' birthdays, typically just a pencil and a birthday card....maybe a piece of candy.  I have found in the past that they just want to be recognized on their birthday, and something simple can be all it takes to bring a smile to their face.  I made these birthday pencil toppers that you may like.  Just print them off, laminate, and tape to a pencil.  Get them all ready at the beginning of the year and then all you have to do is grab one from the can on their birthday. I cut around mine using pinking shears. I have also included a style that could work for a button instead of a pencil topper. It says, "It's my birthday."  After you laminate those, just hot glue a metal  button backing that you can get in the jewelry section of Wal-Mart or a craft store like Hobby Lobby.  Enjoy!

As always, I love comments, so say hello sometimes when you stop by. :-)

Free Happy Birthday Pencil Toppers

Feel free to pin.  Just hover over the image.
The can above is a soup can that I spray painted. 
The pencils came from the Dollar Spot at Target.

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Don't forget click and read my blog post 

Self-care tips for teachers' mental health