Wise Choices Behavior Chart

Brief description of the behavior:
Acting out, not respecting school rulles, violence, not paying attention in class.

Management strategy:
A pocket chart contains 9 green, yellow, and red flip cards for each child in the class. Children know class/school rules, and if teacher notices inappropriate behaviors a warning is given, then if necessary the green card is flipped to yellow [not a serious offense] or red [very serious, such as hitting]. At the end of day the whole class enjoys a choice time, but each child's choices are organized by the colors on the chart. A green choice list should include the most motivating activities and materials,the yellow choices should be slightly less desirable, and red choices are severely limited. Each child looks at the chart before choosing activity, and assesses the choices he/she made during the day. More greens than yellows. with no reds = a green choice, more yellows than greens, or one red = a yellow choice, two reds = a red choice. If a child receives more than two reds the parents are called, and the child may be removed from the room. It sounds cumbersome, but it works very well. The rules are consistently enforced by all staff members, the child can SEE what has happened during the day, and adjust behavior. Each day starts off with all greens, and children with consistently good behavior are recognized for that on a daily basis.

Preparation:
You need a pocket chart, with the names of each child in the class, and an odd number of tagboard flipcards made of a strip of green, then yellow, then red stapled at the top. Post class rules, and available choices prominently in the room. Our rules are l.Try your hardest, do your best. 2. Work and play safely. 3. Do not hurt anyone on the inside or the outside. 4. Do what the adults in our school community tell you to do. Explain the system and the rules to the children, act out situations and possible behaviors that may result. Have the children brainstorm and add to the choice list [which they may change during the year]. We include outdoor play as a green choice. Model alternative behaviors, including asking an adult to help you talk to the other children about problems. Adults, be prepared to stand and talk with two children until they reach some sort of agreement, making sure that each child is heard, even if it is time to start Math. It is worthwhile in the long run!