Behavior Charts??

When i was in elementary school, I was introduced to the behavior chart in fourth grade. On a bulletin board in the front of the room was a small "pocket -like thing" for each student and their number was on it. Off to the side of the board was four pockets for the status cards (blue, green, yellow, and pink).Everyday we all started on a blue card, which meant we were having an excellent day. If we misbehaved or did something we were not supposed to be doing we were told to change our card. We had an opportunity to make up for our mistakes throughout the day. A slip was sent home everyday saying what kind of day you had. If you had to change your card throughout the day, but corrected your mistakes you still got whatever slip corresponded with the card you had to change to, but your slip said what kind of day you ended up on (like if you ended back up on blue).

A blue card was an excellent day slip

A green card was a good day slip (warning/talk with teacher)

A yellow card was a needs to improve slip (and a call home)

A pink card was also a needs to improve slip (sent to principal's office)

Basically, my question is what do you think about this technique? I felt that is what somewhat effective when I was a child, but I would like to hear other opinions on this matter. Some students feel embarrassed when things are publicly displayed and others may see it as a challenge and misbehave purposely.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Koch on April 7, 2011 at 8:26pm

I personally don't think much of this technique for managing behavior. Having done something similar to this in the past, I have several issues with this kind of chart. First - I don't think it is realistic to send a slip home with each student, every single day, reporting on their behavior. I think that would be very difficult to maintain over the course of the year. Second - this kind of system might work for some kids but for kids with really challenging behaviors, it is not really all that effective. A kid who is really struggling with proper behavior might end up with a yellow or pink card most of the time, which does not send a very positive message.

Rather than doing a chart like this, I have found that focusing on positive behaviors and helping students develop self-control with noticing and naming language, is much more effective. We use the Responsive Classroom philosophy in our school and it has made a HUGE difference in how our students behave. I'd highly recommend reading more about Responsive Classroom - here are some links for you.

http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/

http://www.originsonline.org/rc_index.php

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Permalink Reply by David Juarez on April 8, 2011 at 7:53am

I think behavior charts have some merit. My daughter is in first grade and she loves telling me when her pin, the teacher uses clothes-pins, ends up on green. We get a stamp in her folder instead of a slip and it's either a smiley or a frown with an explanation. Kids love praise and the when they get it at both ends it makes learning easier.

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Permalink Reply by Christina on April 13, 2011 at 3:13pm

I am not too fond of behavior charts. I do not think they are very effective and they are hard to keep up with. I think if you just use positive feedback with students it can be very effective. Students like to hear that they are doing a good job so if you see them doing a good job make sure you let them know. When other students hear that you are praising another student they will want to be praised as well. I think it will improve the class as a whole. When you use behavior charts it can be embarrassing for the students because everyone in the class can see that chart all the time.

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Permalink Reply by Briana Hernandez on April 16, 2011 at 11:53pm

Great valid points as to how students feel with this technique. I quite clearly remember students making comments about other students who had a certain color, but also remember feeling that I wish I would not have acted out and getting my color to change. I think that maybe you would be able to do this same technique but just make it smaller and put it in a folder/binder to keep for your own discretion, but each time there is a "color change" pull the student aside and have them understand the consequences.