tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post8780850113662726848..comments2024-03-03T18:31:30.773-05:00Comments on Teaching in Progress: Why I Will Never Use a Behavior Chart AgainNikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.comBlogger280125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-20720201405940462002017-12-01T00:25:16.140-05:002017-12-01T00:25:16.140-05:00Thank You So Much for posting this. I used to be ...Thank You So Much for posting this. I used to be a teacher and now I am a stay at home mom. I thought that I was just going to cause waves, but this chart is humiliating my 7 year old who is in grade two. She has developed stomach aches every morning and my once happy girl is in tears and is"sick" almost every day. I have approached her teacher on two occasions, but this will be the last. Thank you again! Just a note to those who say were are not making our children accountable...I just need to post that until your own child has been through this, please be mindful of this practice. My girl went from confident and happy to feeling worthless in less than 3 months. She is very bright and at the top of her class...but at 7 years old she doesn't have the confidence or vocabulary to handle this on her own. You saved our year....Thank-You!!! Concerned mom and teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01977826661224835930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-38247964561225274052017-02-07T14:41:35.968-05:002017-02-07T14:41:35.968-05:00Yes, this was written a while ago and I still stan...Yes, this was written a while ago and I still stand by it and use it. The teacher does not stop instruction and call anyone out to go to a break area. The process is very fluid and such a part of the classroom community that it is scarcly noticed or aknowledged by the other kids. The space is not abut being wrong and then being redeemed - its about self regulation. The fact that you only stand by the chart to get immediate attention indicates that the children fear the chart and it is simply a means of control, not an agent of change.Nikki Sabistonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-13699716140133533132016-09-25T11:59:29.512-04:002016-09-25T11:59:29.512-04:00Hi Nikki. I loved this post and just wanted to let...Hi Nikki. I loved this post and just wanted to let you know that I linked to it in a post that I wrote. You can find it here. http://jewishspecialneeds.blogspot.com/2016/09/ditch-clips-why-you-need-to-stop-using-behviors-charts.htmlLisa Friedmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10658106679564722646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-31474040770449487572016-09-11T23:50:18.500-04:002016-09-11T23:50:18.500-04:00I would love to know more about the responsive cla...I would love to know more about the responsive classroom!<br />DonnaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-16780867944193541552016-09-11T16:12:06.867-04:002016-09-11T16:12:06.867-04:00Recently a mother one of my Arizona Reading Clinic...Recently a mother one of my Arizona Reading Clinic students called very concerned that her kindergartener was having behavior problems after only two weeks of school.<br />According to her teacher, Annie” was misbehaving. <br />Evidently, Annie was not paying attention, putting glue in another student's hair, and taking scissors to her new shorts. This was surprising because Annie’s preschool and dance teachers often noted her high achievements and good manners. After further questions, mom mentioned "Annie had received several low rating on the classroom colors behavior chart.<br /><br />The fact that school was only two weeks in and Annie was suddenly not responding as expected, I began to suspect the color behavior chart was having the unintended effect of public shaming- because it is public. When the teacher moved a negative color to Annie's publicly displayed chart, she didn’t try harder, she gave up and felt she was “bad”. Students with dyslexia often already have a negative perception of themselves and this does not help.<br /><br />Using shame to "influence" children like Annie to change and exhibit good behavior can backfire. "Why I Will Never Use A Behavior Chart Again" article is full of examples of children like Annie. One mom’ states her son had never had behavior problems with teachers or social situations. However, after receiving public demotions on the color chart, he started becoming anxious and showed negative behaviors. Children with no history of chronic negative behaviors who suddenly become anxious and self-destructive may be reacting to public embarrassment dealt by the teacher they trust most. <br /><br />Answer: Stop it! Meet with the teacher. Ask the teacher to try another behavior modification system which stresses positive rewards (Fred Jones Positive Classroom Discipline). For example, ask her to catch Annie doing something good, and give her constructive concrete praise reinforcing her good behaviors. Once her place in the classroom is restored, she will not feel "bad" or "that the teacher doesn't like me". With the stigma of public shaming removed and replaced with positive reinforcement, Annie's negative behaviors should quickly subside so that she can be a happy five-year-old again.Dr. Pamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18008889341354020955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-19919430708840187992016-08-21T15:54:37.528-04:002016-08-21T15:54:37.528-04:00I have struggled with how to use the color clip ch...I have struggled with how to use the color clip chart for years. Our clip charts are used school wide and children take home a monthly color chart each day to share their color at home. Many parents have reported serous punishments for their children when being asked to clip down. Any suggestions for how to continue easily sending daily communication home to parents without using a color system? I would like to switch to brag tags and "take some time" areas, but have always liked being able to send a chart home to parents each day as well.<br /><br />Thanks for your post!!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09156028953693474862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-33051506797651205752016-08-07T16:26:52.154-04:002016-08-07T16:26:52.154-04:00I can't wait to apply what I learned from your...I can't wait to apply what I learned from your article! :-) Do you have a behavior plan template that explains it to parents? Before I threw out my clip chart, I used to stamp each child's color (the one that corresponded to where their clip ended up on the chart) in the agenda every day. How do you communicate daily behavior to parents? Thanks so much for any suggestions you may be able to provide! :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05355621654676248725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-21791498573360529462016-08-04T20:56:48.433-04:002016-08-04T20:56:48.433-04:00You can use a chart but you can reward for when yo...You can use a chart but you can reward for when you need a break, use the break pass, when frustrated or upset,using a calming or coping strategy--different children could also have a specified number of prompts built in. If a child is not having at least 80% success rate than the chart needs to be revised. <br />Designing Myselfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12711046818359131727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-47256098870532843342016-08-04T18:31:45.822-04:002016-08-04T18:31:45.822-04:00Erin,
How have you managed to balance the school-...Erin, <br />How have you managed to balance the school-wide expectation? It is also a requirement at my school (tho we use a rainbow chart that goes up and down). I personally don't like the charts, and it doesn't really fit into my personal management system. I prefer to set clear shared expectations and to deal with problems individually as needed. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-58246431195554300512016-08-04T10:13:20.723-04:002016-08-04T10:13:20.723-04:00What people are missing here though, is that your ...What people are missing here though, is that your child "is being treated for ADHD", no chart or idea will ever work quite like medication.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08009596706473128152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-54129436085433305382016-08-04T10:10:06.645-04:002016-08-04T10:10:06.645-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08009596706473128152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-26342234842299253582016-08-04T10:09:46.068-04:002016-08-04T10:09:46.068-04:00What people are missing is that you "treated&...What people are missing is that you "treated" for ADHD. No program works as well as medication.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08009596706473128152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-37379000604569553242016-08-02T19:32:12.750-04:002016-08-02T19:32:12.750-04:00Look into the training "Capturing Kids Hearts...Look into the training "Capturing Kids Hearts". It is a powerful way to influence students to take responsibility on their own. It has 4 basic questions you ask the student when they are off task and a social contract. Going through the training has been the best PD I have had ever! I see it at work in my school and it is fantastic! Kaye McDanielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11819364810493324923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-3666971539417445052016-07-17T14:14:23.833-04:002016-07-17T14:14:23.833-04:00I was about to use a behavior chart and I'm gl...I was about to use a behavior chart and I'm glad I read your post instead. Thanks for the bilingual version as well!NancyFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00098283573411049791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-26107253010959871032016-01-21T20:05:16.957-05:002016-01-21T20:05:16.957-05:00Thank you for your posts! When a new teacher com...Thank you for your posts! When a new teacher comes to our school wanting to use behavior charts, my question back is should I also use them with staff? That brings it home!L Shephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15842706212875209709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-876999249149436652015-10-22T13:31:56.239-04:002015-10-22T13:31:56.239-04:00This is a very interesting concept!! While I some...This is a very interesting concept!! While I somewhat like the charts, I'm thinking of using it for accountability and responsibility, vs. behavior.... that way they know what we expect of them, which would probably lead to better behavior... does that make sense...? But...this is just a theory right now...so I'll let you know if it works :) I do like the "take a break" better than time out...because if we switch the thinking, to learning how to sit out to reflect on their behavior, vs. being sent to the corner as a punishment, the situation won't seem so negative. It's hard to think about the situation calmly when your angry about being sent away... Thanks for sharing your experiences!Marihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10963221913978477899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-54739893447902575252015-10-22T12:57:06.300-04:002015-10-22T12:57:06.300-04:00I am so glad to see this post. My own little guy ...I am so glad to see this post. My own little guy always got "hole punches" (his school's equivalent of clipping down to red) and it made him so upset. After he started being treated for ADHD he did a complete turn around almost NEVER got hole punches... but even then was coming home sad because his friends kept getting hole punches... he was just as sad as when he was the one getting them. And he can tell you names of who always gets them and who never gets them etc. It's a terrible thing really and you are so right in saying it tracks behavior but doesn't change it. Not all teachers realize this though and many are taught this; it's not the teachers' fault. We know better when we do better! :) SMJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17095976757755545630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-13761040217617933482015-10-17T00:03:43.804-04:002015-10-17T00:03:43.804-04:00I'm a homeschooling mo of 3. I just wanted to ...I'm a homeschooling mo of 3. I just wanted to write and say thank you. I am admittedly and shamefully a yeller. This is not the relationship I want with my children. I feel like the over bearing teacher who you said made your son walk laps and laps. I don't want to be there to remind them of every time they screw up and yelling and damaging our relationship and pushing them away with each yell. A better routine would help us so much! Along with a plan in place when rules are broken or when their emotions overwhelm them. (heck maybe I need a take a break space! Lol) iv been praying for help in this area and this blog was an answer to prayer. Thank you. Koko081012https://www.blogger.com/profile/08652987884304222478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-29936037998762695092015-08-31T13:50:01.378-04:002015-08-31T13:50:01.378-04:00Thank you for this! I would love your insight as ...Thank you for this! I would love your insight as a teacher on a behavior issue we're having. My son is in Pre-K and has ASD. His teacher uses the behavior chart but has agreed to do a sticker chart for my son to give me more of an idea of how his day is going as they are going through it so we can celebrate the positives and work on the negatives. This came about because last week he was moved down to yellow for inappropriate play in the sandbox (he was eating the sand). So, when I see the yellow, I think oh, he's had problems all day, when in reality it's only one incident. How would you go about making this chart?<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-77269418878214110272015-08-29T22:38:48.018-04:002015-08-29T22:38:48.018-04:00I see this was written a while ago...
How wonderf...I see this was written a while ago...<br /><br />How wonderful, to be able to send a kid to the "break" area to wind down and come back to make better choices. Yeah no, in 2015, the world of Common Core and not having enough time to cover the 30 things they want you to cover in 30min periods, we cannot afford to be sending students away to "reflect" or to disrupt a lesson to send someone to it. In my classroom, all I need to do is stand by the chart and I get immediate attention. They have the ability to redeem themselves through the day, and very often do so, but in a classroom where you can't give them an inch without them taking the whole arm (and a leg), you simply cannot afford having a lax behavior system. By the way, I would be MORTIFIED if the teacher stopped instruction and called me out to go sit at the "break" area. I'd likely be in tears there after the other students watch me stand up in shame, walk there, and sit there by myself. I much rather have my name go down in the chart, with the knowledge that if I made good decisions through the day, I can get back up and redeem myself.Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07847908910597845731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-15163560605363755352015-08-29T22:37:08.229-04:002015-08-29T22:37:08.229-04:00I see this was written a while ago...
How wonderf...I see this was written a while ago...<br /><br />How wonderful, to be able to send a kid to the "break" area to wind down and come back to make better choices. Yeah no, in 2015, the world of Common Core and not having enough time to cover the 30 things they want you to cover in 30min periods, we cannot afford to be sending students away to "reflect" or to disrupt a lesson to send someone to it. In my classroom, all I need to do is stand by the chart and I get immediate attention. They have the ability to redeem themselves through the day, and very often do so, but in a classroom where you can't give them an inch without them taking the whole arm (and a leg), you simply cannot afford having a lax behavior system. By the way, I would be MORTIFIED if the teacher stopped instruction and called me out to go sit at the "break" area. I'd likely be in tears there after the other students watch me stand up in shame, walk there, and sit there by myself. I much rather have my name go down in the chart, with the knowledge that if I made good decisions through the day, I can get back up and redeem myself.Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07847908910597845731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-50292696138090653862015-08-05T14:02:10.036-04:002015-08-05T14:02:10.036-04:00I have to say...I just stumbled upon this during q...I have to say...I just stumbled upon this during quiet time at my daycare. I'm currently taking care of a 5 year old boy from a very dysfunctional background born to a drug addicted mom which has forever changed his development. I struggle everyday and every day is a rough day for him. I'm searching out ideas to help him. I don't think he'd grasp the idea of the chart, so this is perfect. He needs a place to go to in order to regroup. He needs his own space. And I LOVE the mirror idea. Thanks for putting this out there. While there are some very effective ways to use charts and reward systems, I think this is perfect for us. I appreciate it very very much. xoxoAmyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06615500521210558689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-68657611618690402142015-07-22T21:56:35.322-04:002015-07-22T21:56:35.322-04:00Great post and for those who aren't convinced ...Great post and for those who aren't convinced I suggest reading "Punished by Rewards" by Alfie KohnAndreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16090668883716039987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-3592283039676999082015-07-22T19:51:33.235-04:002015-07-22T19:51:33.235-04:00I love this idea, thanks for sharing! I decided to...I love this idea, thanks for sharing! I decided to stop and leave a comment to raise a problem I see in the feelings chart, in case anyone making their own (or the creators of the original source material) would like to give this some thought: of the nine emotions listed, two (happy and excited) have positive connotations, one (surprised) is perhaps ambiguous, and the others are often considered negative. The problem I see is that there are exactly two white boys' faces and two "positive" feelings, and they match up. It is a subtle thing, but I would like to see at least one of those modeled on the face of a girl or boy of color. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-81858601315586557182015-07-22T08:09:15.021-04:002015-07-22T08:09:15.021-04:00LOVE that you include a mirror in your "Take ...LOVE that you include a mirror in your "Take a Break" area so the students can see the emotion and relate it to a face!<br />oldschoolspeech.blogspot.comMaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com