Clip Up, Clip Down: A Behavior Management System

Confession: I have been envious of all of the darling behavior clip charts that I've seen on fellow teacher blogs. 


So you can imagine my excitement when my vice principal caught me in the parking lot after sports camp and handed me a copy of this:

 

We have a school wide behavior plan that uses the "pull a card" method, which is fine, and it's what I've always used regardless of it being mandatory or not. But, nonetheless, I still envied the cuteness of those clip charts. Here are some of those cuties!

 

(I couldn't trace this darling movie themed chart, so if it's yours let me know so I can give you credit!)

(from Mrs. Sheehan over at Learning in Wonderland)

 

(A magnet version from Teaching in Flip Flops)

 

Don't you just LOVE them!

First of all, I felt honored that she would ask me to look it over and give her some thoughts and feedback. 

Second, I was so excited to think that I might be able to implement this system in my class. 

Since I'm taking good notes anyways, I figured there's no better place to also share those thoughts than here!

Rick Morris, creator of New Management, was not the mastermind behind the clip chart system for behavior management, but he offers some good explanations about why it's a good method to use. He also gives some good ideas to deal with the rebuttals that may come from the "pull a card" veterans. Snag his free e-book here if you want more details. 


Here are a few of the reasons Rick suggests we consider the clip chart over the "pull a card" method:


-All students start on the best color with the "pull a card" method, which is a level that was not achieved or earned by any of their actions. He calls this giving a sense of false accomplishment. 


-Because there is no redemption value in the "pull a card" method (you can't earn cards back) teachers may be hesitant to pull a card, or even worse, make threats about pulling cards. 


-With the pull a card method, you're focusing on negative behaviors. Students quickly learn that if they break the rules they'll pull a card, but if they have good behavior, nothing will happen. 


Overall, the clip chart has the ability to send a much more positive message to students. I love the fact that with the clip chart you can praise good behaviors as well. 


Here is my one concern: 


We give behavior grades on report cards and in the past it has been determined by how many times a child pulls a card. So.....how do I easily keep track of behavior when students are moving up and down the behavior chart all day?


Rick suggests using a behavior card called Making Better Choices that the student has to fill in when they move their clip down. You can either file it for conferences or send it home for parents to sign.

I'm thinking a fun Vistaprint project may be in the works....hmmm.....

Do you use a clip chart in your class? What do you love about it? How do you keep track of those pesky "clip down" moments?