Ms. Feinman's Class at Dora Moore

Sometimes, managing a classroom of 24 six and seven year old students is a lot like herding cats.  

But over the past 10 years, I have learned a few tricks.  Some tricks will work on year, and then the next they don't.  So I always try to be flexible, patient and understanding.  I found this infographic (below) and it has a lot of the practices I use in my classroom.  I do not teach the students to meditate.  But I do teach them many breathing exercises.  

This year, I introduced the Relaxation Station.  Students can ask to go- during independent time. Or, if I know a student needs it, I will send them there.  In the Relaxation Station, I have Play-doh, squishy balls, stretch bands, fabrics with different textures, etc.  This year, it is proving to be very helpful for my students.  

The last item on the infographic is Expect. My expectations are held high for every student, and they all know that.  

I am always looking for ways to communicate with parents better, motivate students and track behavior.  I started using Class Dojo last year.  I had great success with it.  The students and parents loved it.  Parents were able to check their smart phone at the end of the day to see how their child did.  I use my smart phone throughout the day, easily giving points, or taking away points based on certain categories such as:
Line Behavior
Bathroom Ettiqute
Participation
Perserverance
Carpet Behavior
Helping Others
Team Work

As long as you have access to the internet, you can track your child's progress.  And if you do not have internet, I have the ability to make printouts of the reports so you can view them.  I am can chat live with you via our smart phones.  It is a wonderful tool.  I hope you will join me in using this tool to help better your child's education.

More information will be given on the first day of school so that each family can sign up.  (It is FREE!) You can also visit classdojo.com for more information.

Here is a video that might provide more information:

For the past two days our class has been working on classroom rules. The students heard a story about a monster that came to school. The monster was very bad! He threw things, pushed students, didn't share, yelled and laughed at students. After hearing the story the students came up with rules for the monster. We decided as a class that these rules were perfect for our classroom! The students made monster puppets and wrote their favorite rule. These will be in the hallway for display.


Please talk with your child about our rules and why they are important. Also, feel free to comment on this post about the conversations you had with your child!

These documents were sent home today. However, if you need to refer to them later, here they are! Please check your child's folder each night to see their behavior for the day. Click here for the behavior letter! Spanish Translation for Behavior letter

Please click here for the document that will go home.

Spanish Translation

Each day, students will start with their clip on Ready to learn! They can either move their clip to the right or left based on their behavior. Each square has a color. I will put the color their clip was on for the day in their homework folder. You will always know how your child’s behavior was for the day!

Consequences
If they are given a warning, they will move their clip to warning. If they continue to have behavior problems they will go to the Thinking Chair. The Thinking Chair is a place where they sit removed from their classmates. They must write what they did wrong and what they can do next time. If they continue to have behavior problems then I will contact you.

Rewards
When I notice a student doing what is expected I will ask them to move their clip to the left. Students are given high praise when they do the right thing. They will be given special rewards and prizes like stickers, extra computer time, parties, and treats the more often they stay to the left.

Each day is a NEW day! If your child has a bad day, it is ok! He or she starts fresh the next day! Always focus on the positive things your child does!