Are you looking for a new way to get out of that inevitable behavior rut in your classroom?  Well, I've got an idea for you!

The "Charm Collectors" hanging for all to see!

     When I am asked about how I manage my classroom, I never have a short answer.  That's because I use a variety of techniques throughout the year.  Just like the kids, I get bored with the same behavioral incentives, so I love to change it up.  This week, my students are so excited to start earning "Classroom Charms."
     I always wanted to have my students earn some sort of behavioral charms that they could collect on a ring on their backpacks or shoelaces.  Unfortunately, purchasing a large quantity of charms of any kind can be very expensive, so I decided to use labels instead.  The kids could still "collect" these labels, I could personalize them to my needs, and they would cost me next to nothing.

Blank "Charm Collectors"

    I start by making each child a blank, laminated "charm collector" with his/her name on it.  Next, I hang them up in a prominent place in the classroom for all to see.  I would then, randomly, pass out "charms" to the deserving students throughout the day for a wide variety of reasons.  The children would never know when I would be giving out the "Neat Desk" charm, or the "Beautiful Homework" charm, so there is always a noticeable improvement in their effort and behavior when we use the charm system! I'm always very careful to monitor the charms so that there is never a student who has only one or two when everyone else has ten, or vise versa.  Because there is such a variety of categories on my labels, even the most difficult child can earn a charm or two every day.  Sometimes, I even give everyone a charm at the same time.  For example, if they walk down the hall nicely, I'll give them all a "Hallway Hero" charm when we return to the classroom.
     Because I've been using this system for years, I have so many different types of charms that I print out.  Each year, my students suggest new charms, and I print them right up and start using them.  

Some of the "charms" I use with my students.

     The children love watching their boards fill up with brightly colored labels.  They feel a sense of pride each and every time they earn a new charm to add to their board.  There are always a few very competitive kids will do anything to earn as many charms as they can.  They become so determined to get the "Classroom Helper" charm or the "Good Friend" charm that they will very obviously clean up my desk or "help" a friend in front of me , trying to act nonchalant, hoping I'll slip them a charm for their efforts.  It's cute!
     Before long, their boards are filled with wonderful compliments and accomplishments, and each board is unique to each child's strengths and personality.  I have received much positive feedback from parents who have had great conversations sparked as they ask their child what each charm meant and how they earned it.
     Simple and fun!!

Just a few of the many categories of charms that I pass out.