The Clip Chart!

If you are unfamiliar with the clip-chart behavior management system, this is the post for you! If you are looking for some fun ideas to use as rewards, then you might want to keep reading this post as well! I absolutely love my clip chart, but more importantly....my kids are OBSESSED with it! It really helps us to stay on track with making positive choices throughout the day. Here is a picture of the clip chart in our room:

This is how it works. Each day, the students start on the green "Ready to Learn" section. They are challenged to try and get to "Outstanding" by going "above and beyond" what is expected. What do you mean, Mrs. C? I mean that when students are "caught" helping others, are the first student/group to get their materials out, they have a neat desk, etc., they get to "clip up." They love to "clip up" because this is done publicly and they are super proud of themselves.

Now, when they are not following the rules, they have to clip down. I do this privately and I am the one who goes and moves their clip (I don't want to get into that battle). The beauty of the system is that I can quickly let them know they are not following the rules and they can "turn their day around" at any point in time.

Each day, the students color in their behavior chart that I created and it goes home in their Take Home Folder for mom and dad to see. You can download the chart here:

Every time students make it to 'Outstanding' (or if they go beyond 'Outstanding' and they get to put their clip on my lanyard), I put a tally mark on their clip.

Once they get five marks, they get to choose from the "Good Behavior Rewards Catalog." They get so stinkin' excited when they get to do this! I got the idea from Christie at First Grade Fever and I love it! No more buying prizes and spending all kinds of money on pencils, erasers, bookmarks, etc!

To download the catalog that she made, click here. I added a few more when I put mine together. To see a slideshow of mine, watch below:

I hope you find this post useful and at some point, you give the clip-chart system a try! I am sure you will love it as much as I do!

Jill Calkins