Flowers, flowers everywhere!

So today I tried out my "Behavior Bouquet" with a sweet first grade class. One word: AMAZING! The kids LOVED it and it worked wonders with their behavior! All I had to say was, "I'm looking to give out flowers" or simply shake the bag of flowers (which I carried with me everywhere we went) in front of them, and their "quiet fingers" shot straight up. And of course, whenever I gave out a flower and announced why that child received it, all of the other students immediately "corrected" any behavior they needed to. They also really enjoyed decorating them when we had time.

All in all, it was extra work but I think the end result was phenomenal. Seeing those precious first graders not making a peep in the hall made me glow with pride! Hopefully, their teacher won't mind a vase full of construction paper flowers and pipe cleaners when she gets back, hehe. :)

Just look at all those flowers!!

Savvy Substitute Ideas

As a certified teacher, I always try and do my best as a substitute. I researched some neat ideas for substitute teachers. One idea I found was what I have dubbed a "Good Behavior Bouquet." I am going to try this with a first grade class I will be substituting for this coming week.

The idea is to give a student a "flower" any time they show good behavior. The website I found suggested having the children make the flower themselves, but I opted to have some pre-cut flowers to save time. I have decided instead to write on the flowers whatever good behavior the child is displaying (e.g. walking quietly in the halls) and then have them sign their name on the flower. If time permits, they can decorate it. Then, I will attach the flower to a pipe cleaner. By the end of the day, hopefully there will be a big beautiful bouquet of "good behavior flowers" to leave for the teacher. I bought a $1 vase from the Dollar Store and typed up the little rhyme to add to the bouquet.

Hopefully the teacher will enjoy this little treat when she comes back the following day! :)