8. Gumballs – Keep track of whole class behavior in a very visual manner using a see-through container. The class work together toward earning them for modeling your set classroom procedures all at the same time or without re-directions. Another variation is to use marbles.
9. Targeting Specific Behaviors with Books – Sometimes taking a symptom of a unhealthy classroom community that has eeked its way in can be erradicated by using bibliotherapy {yep, reading books}. Students can vicariously live through the book characters and empower themselves to reteach and reform habits. I’m not saying reading one book will change your life. I am saying that it will open the door to discussions, repeated responses and give you tools to refer to to help students solve problems and sticky situations. This can really help keep a community in tact.
10. Keeping it a Safe community (Buddy Room) – Part of having a classroom that functions smoothly does imply having consequences in place. When an individual student disrupts the classroom community and stops learning {the purpose we are all there for} then having a system in place like a buddy room may be a good option. Be sure to read how Ms. M has created buddy bags for just this type of situation to keep the calm in the classroom.