A Better Way to Use Punch Cards in the Classroom

Learn how to upgrade a standard behavior or incentive punch card with this simple hack to make a sticker punch card for instant positive reinforcement and long-term goal setting in one.

What Are Punch Cards?

A punch card is a piece of cardstock usually with a student name and a certain amount of “slots” that are punched by the teacher.  The slots can be punched when the teacher observes positive student behaviors – this is usually discussed ahead with the student as part of a classroom management plan or an individual behavior plan.  

You can also use punch cards to “save up” for something – for example a student receives a punch with every library book returned. Slots are typically punched with a traditional hole puncher.  Once the card is filled, the student earns either a prize or a non-tangible reward.

How to Use Punch Cards in the Classroom

There are many articles written about classroom rewards, incentives, punch cards, and the pros and cons of incentive-based classroom management systems.  Rather than debate the merits, I would advise teachers to read up on ways to use punch cards in the classroom and make their own informed decision. 

You know your students best and combined with best practices there are many ways to use punch cards that are worthwhile in the classroom. My one recommendation is to only punch for something positive, be mindful of the reward – is it achievable, is it extrinsic or intrinsic, is it meaningful – and to make objective and measurable goals.  

If you do use it for behavior, try to break the behavior into a specific positive one - rather than "good behavior" choose something concrete like "Raises hand at circle time" or "Pushes chair in."  For these type of goals, be sure to explain that students may not receive a punch EVERY time so the more they try, the more likely you will see it and punch it.

Also be sure to limit competition and comparison.  One way to do this is to have different goals for each student.  Students can even create their own goal to track. When students are involved in the process, they are more motivated to reach their goals too.  

My editable Emoji punch cards show in this article allow you to type in student names and goals / rewards so creating a different punch card for each student is easy.  I also find that differentiating punch cards and rewards reduces stress and students will earn punches at different times.

Punch Card Limitations

While punch cards do offer a visual recognition of achievement, some students struggle with long term rewards and might need feedback right away to continue to behavior.  In the beginning the punch itself provides that boost, but after a while some students may need more immediate recognition. 

For example, a student struggles with returning his take-home folder.  He creates a goal to track on his punch card so that each time he returns the folder, he get a punch.  After the card is full, he gets a special privilege…maybe he gets his pictures taken (holding the folder of course!) and his photo and card added to a Super Improver Wall or emailed home with a positive message.   However, for this particular student, filling the punch card is difficult and lengthy compared with his peers.  He feels frustrated and loses motivation.

Also, punch cards are limited in that the “progress” is only shown on the card itself.  This makes extra steps needed if you want to share these with parents.  Sending them back and forth opens up the chance that it will get lost.

Punch Card Hack

Solve the issues mentioned above by turning an ordinary punch card into a sticker punch card!  All you need to do is print punch cards onto full sheet sticker paper (or 4x4 large label paper).

Keep the back of the sticker paper on.  Depending on the “slots” of your punch card, you can use a circle puncher to punch out a space.  For my Emoji Punch Cards, each Emoji is roughly 16 mm or 5/8 inch so a circle puncher that punches that size works best.  

After punching the Emoji out, remove the backing paper and voila, the Emoji is now a sticker!

The punch card still shows how many “slots” are used for long-term tracking, but now students receive an instant reward!

You can have students keep stickers inside a take home folder or wear them home to share with families.  Students also like decorating their school supply bins and notebooks too.

Recommended Supplies

I recommend full sheets of printable sticker paper and labels.  The prices for this vary, but I have found the best deals on Amazon purchasing full sheet label paper. This Avery 8165 Label set comes in sets of 25, 50, 100, 500 sheets.  Since most punch cards print 4 to a page, you would not need more than 50 sheets for a year. You can also find off-brand label paper for even cheaper. Click the picture for more information about this package:

For punches, Amazon has a small selection including the Punch Bunch one I use but there are other options at Michaels and Hobby Lobby too.  Just be sure to use a punch that allows you to view the shape being punched so you can correctly line up the Emoji or other image on the punch card.  I have to flip mine upside down to view and then press, which isn't ideal but I'm used to it. 

My Emoji punch cards work best with a punch sized 16 mm or 5/8 inch. Click the images to see a quick sample of what is available:

If your punch cards have irregular slots or you want to save money, simply cut the sticker out in a square shape or use a larger sized circle punch.

Get my Editable Emoji Punch Cards here and check out Erintegration's other ideas and activities for using Emojis in the classroom. 

Have you ever used punch cards or other positive reinforcement classroom management techniques before? Share in the comments!

  

Read More...

Using Emojis to Promote Classroom Community

Emojis have become their own language and one that we can incorporate into the classroom to promote classroom community. Emojis offer a meaningful way to communicate without words. Using Emojis can have a large impact in the classroom depending on how they are used and especially when used by children who sometimes struggle to put their ideas into words. Here is a round up of how you can use Emojis in your classroom to promote classroom community all year long.

Read More...

5 words to build classroom community

It is amazing how the words we use and the actions we take in the first moments of the first day can carry a lasting impression on our students both for better and for worse.  We can adapt the language we use in the classroom to convey a growth mindset  and we can change how we praise to be more effective.  Positive talk can be powerful and directly impact students' performance and behavior.

Read More...

Classroom Decor Printing Tips

One of the best things about purchasing digital classroom decor packs is that they are often editable and by using these classroom decor printing tips, you end up with a lot of options for a completely custom look in your classroom.  Here are my top 8 tips for printing digital classroom decor!

1. Edit Digital Classroom Decor on PowerPoint

Many digital classroom decor packets will come with an editable PowerPoint and/or an editable .pdf.  I love that I can add text to personalize the decor before printing.

To edit a PowerPoint, you need to own PowerPoint first of all.  Open the .ppt file and add text boxes to where you want to write.  The background is usually "secure" so you can't change it.  You can use whatever fonts you have installed on your computer.

When you are finished editing the .ppt, I strongly suggest you print it to a .pdf first before printing out onto paper.  A .pdf has a higher resolution and will keep the size and spacing intact.  So while it seems like an extra step, I think is worth the five minutes it takes!

If the packet you purchased does not have text boxes on the page, just click insert > text to add a box.  I usually set up the one text book with the font, size, color, and justification I like, then I copy, paste, and drag it around the slide.

Another tip when editing classroom decor on PowerPoint is you can duplicate pages if you are printing multiples.  When editing my Emoji Name Tags, I set up the text boxes then right clicked the slide and chose "duplicate" until I had a class set ready to enter in.

Finally if you ever need to just print one and do not want to waste the ink on blanks, I just click insert>shape and create white rectangles to cover the ones I do not want to print.  Usually the default shape is blue so you will need to change the fill color to white.

2. Edit Digital Classroom Decor on Adobe.

If you are editing on a .pdf file, make sure you have it opened in Acrobat, not Adobe Reader.  Some editable classroom decor I have used has worked in both but it varies.  I usually click to view the form fields to I know what sections are editable in the document.  Depending on the pack you have purchased, you may be able to change fonts or you will be limited to the font chosen for you.

For my editable Emoji Bulletin Board Accent Piece, I clicked in the form field and typed the student names.  The neat thing about Adobe editing is usually the seller will set up the form fields for you so you know they are spaced and sized correctly.  Since the resource only comes with 22 Emojis, you will need to print the first 22 then type and print any additional ones you want next.

3. Laminate Digital Classroom Decor Then Use Wet Erase Markers

I have also printed digital decor blank onto white card stock to write in my info.  I laminate it first so that I can write and wipe.  I recommend wet-erase markers for this instead of dry erase markers as they erase with just water, but if you have the dry erase spray, then go for it. I use this method for things that change during the year like class schedules.

Here I typed in the subject but I used a wet erase marker to draw the clock hands. You could also have a student do this in the morning.  The black clock times are separate rectangles that I pre-printed, laminated and tape onto the schedule as needed.

4. Print Digital Classroom Decor in Black Ink onto Colored Paper

Sometimes I want to save ink.  Many digital classroom decor packs come with blackline.  I print these onto my favorite Astrobrights paper.

If the packet did not come in black line, you can always select grey scale when in the .pdf print window.

5. Print Smaller Than Shown

Wall and bulletin board space is limited in my classroom.  I usually print .pdf posters half sized that I have purchased.  To do that open the .pdf.  Select print.  In the print window, you can change "how many per page."

When printing smaller, you will want to play around with either the landscape or portrait option depending on how it was originally oriented.  I do this a lot if I want to size down a poster to half size so I can fit more of them.

6. Print Over Multiple Pages

In the .pdf printing window you have the option of printing one over multiple pages. Make sure, if going this route, that the decor you purchased is sized appropriate so it won't get blurry if printing larger. You can adjust the scale - usually I use between 150% or 175% if I know my file can support the mark-up and not get blurry.

You can see the finished size over the thumbnail.  The thumbnail will also show how many pages your poster will print onto.  In the example below, this 8.5x11 inch poster will now be enlarged to print onto 6 pages:

I print larger if I am printing poster sized - especially with anchor charts.  You will need to trim and tape the pages together.  You may want to laminate the finished poster so it looks more uniform.

7. Fit to Space or Full Sized.

I always check the difference between fit to space and full size in a .pdf printer window.

Every printer is a bit different and you do not want to print a bunch of pages only to realize the edges were cut off!

8. Print Digital Classroom Decor onto Label Paper

I make my own stickers by printing name tags and labels on full sized label paper by Avery.(Click the affiliate link to see the product).  That way I can cut around and have a custom sized sticker or label.  I often use this tip when I am printing non standard labels for bins.

I hope this helps as you begin to decorate your classroom this year and are looking to purchase digital classroom decor!  I like to mix some customized classroom decor with store-bought items for a unique theme that is easy to change out and adjust.   All of the Emoji digital classroom decor sets pictured here plus more Emoji and iPad themed items not shown are available here. 

Read More...

Career Poster Project Using Technology

Do your students participate in Take Your Child to Work Day or does your school host a Career Day? I am sharing a fun poster product using technology with a free download.  Keep reading to find out how we safely research online, make our posters, and create a digital picture of students' future careers!

Take your child to work day falls on the third Thursday of April and each year I seem to have about half of my class opt to attend work with a parent and about half come to school.  I wanted to make sure the students in school had something meaningful to do, but I also did not want to move the curriculum along when so many students were absent.

Career Day Poster Project Overview

The last few years I have done a technology project for the students in school and out of school focusing on careers.

If your area does not "celebrate" Take Your Child to Work Day, this technology project will also work for any career day, community helper unit, or even a beginning of the year "Hopes & Dreams" lesson for those of you that follow the Responsive Classroom.

Set Up the Career Day Project 

To set up, I printed a set of bodies for students to write their information on and decorate.  Click here to download the pdf for free.

I printed these large across two pages using the Adobe .pdf printing settings I explain in my blog here.  I taped the pages together so everyone had one large body.

Research Careers

Next, students selected a career they were interested in and wrote the name of the job inside the head. Students that went with parents had the option of choosing the career they "did" for the day.

Students used KidRex to search safetly.

I recommend having students type the word "job" or "career" after their search term to narrow it a bit. I also always have my students select from the top five results that pop up as they are going to be the most relevant and cuts down on scrolling.

Students wrote facts around the outside of the body that they learned.  They had to find the training, schooling, day-to-day responsibilities, skills, and any fun facts about that particular job.

Make the Career Poster

Students then colored the body to reflect the uniform or everyday attire of someone in that career.

As an added extra, this year we used PicCollage on the iPads to make a mock-up of each student being that job!  I got this idea from the fabulous Teaching with Appitude's Instagram account.  She also has a sample on Facebook here.

We used the in-app image search to find a picture of the career.  Then we took a selfie in the app and trimmed around the head and popped it on the body.

Make a QR Code to Display Career Posters

I had students upload their finished images to Google Drive where I quickly made a QR code of each image using the process explained here.

I taped the QR code to the bottom of each poster and hung them in the hall.  Visitors can scan the QR code to see a picture of "from the future" of each of my students doing the job they researched!

Swing by my blog or catch my weekly live show on Facebook (Mondays at 8 P.M. EST) for more technology integration ideas!

Read More...

Math Workshop Routines

I'm sharing a low prep math workshop routine I use to set up the math workshop in my classroom.

A solid routine when implementing a math workshop model is a must.  For one, it minimizes transition time between rotations. Routines also help students be independent because they know what to do, when to do it, and with what. Finally a math workshop routine allows learning to be the main focus. When routines are consistent, the differentiated learning that can take place is worth the extra set up and practice!

Organize materials

First organize all of your materials into unit bins.  A version of this can be seen here and here.  I purchased file bins in bulk from Home Depot.  Over the summer I pulled out all of my math task cards, hands on booklets, answer keys, and activities and sorted them by unit into the bins.  I literally threw everything into the bin.

Next organize all of the manipulatives in bulk.  I was blessed with a old card catalog that I spruced up with these fabulous labels.

But you can use the shoe storage bins from dollar tree for the same effect.  Just make sure that the manipulatives are in a kid-friendly location.

Choose a rotation system or invent your own

Then decide on how you will break up your rotations.  There are several handy acronyms that can be applied to your district's math program.  I settled on The Clutter-Free Classroom's M.A.T.H. four rotation system.  You can read more about that here and purchase the rotation board here.

Display your rotation board in the room.  I also keep track of the math groups.  Since my groups change frequently, I laminated the group name, but I update it per unit with a sticky note with the students' names on it.  I keep this on the inside of the cabinet so students can peak if they need to, but it isn't on full display for visitors.

Organize student math bins for easy rotations

In the beginning of the year, I assign everyone a numbered math bin.  In their bin, they keep their workbook, notebook, a few pencils, white board, marker, eraser and ruler.  They bring these with them to each rotation to lesson trips back and forth to their desk.  This routine really cuts down on set up and transition time too!

Bow down to the Math Binder

Now that the room is organized and materials are loosely gathered for each unit inside the file boxes, the only thing I do at the beginning of each new unit is to set up my Math Binder.  The Math Binder routine is by far the best system I have used in my many years of teaching math and trying various routines.

Here is how it works - each unit, I pull out the box that I chucked all of the materials in quickly over the summer.  I put the task cards into binder sleeves into the binder.  I put copies of the task card answer keys and run off a set of the recording sheets that are also stored in the binder. I also copy a bunch of related fast finisher activities and/or games and put them in the binder.

I put a copy of our math program's workbook answer key into the math binder.

I put any math hands on craft samples I have made stored in the unit bin into the binder.

I also make a set of QR codes that link to various YouTube videos about that unit's topic for students that need reteaching.

So basically the routine is to take the stuff from your unit bin and put it into the binder. It really is that basic but let me explain why this is awesome.

Each day, I write on my whiteboard what each center will be doing.  I use painters tape on the whiteboard to mark off the area to write (it won't damage the board).

If students are not meeting with me, they need to be able to get what they need for that day and get started.  I do not have the time to set everything up ahead of time every day and make sure it is differentiated.

But what I can do is get them used to the routine of finding their materials in the binder and grabbing whatever drawer of manipulatives from the card catalog that goes with that activity.

Since everything they need is right there, they can get set up independently and even check their own work independently while I'm meeting with my group.  If they ever finish the activity in another rotation early, they visit the binder to pull a game or fast finisher.  Since these change with every unit, students do not get bored either.

Plus a binder is really easy to clean up at the end of our rotation time and takes up minimal storage!  Since I only store a unit at a time in the binder, at the end of the unit, I take everything out and throw it back in the unit bin.  I have used this routine all year and can take down and set up the binder very quickly.

Since I added the binder to my math workshop routine, it has freed up a lot of time for me to better plan my small group math lessons.  I know that my other rotations are taken care of for the length of the unit.  I've also started to differentiate within the binder by marking certain sets of task cards and fast finisher activities for specific groups.

How are you running your math block?  I love to learn how others are tweaking math workshop to work for them!  Be sure to check out my Math Pinterest board - I'm also pinning math workshop routines and math activities!

Follow Technology Erintegration's board Math on Pinterest.

Read More...

Sanity saving snow day (at school) classroom hacks

Set the Stage for a Snow Day…at School with some quick and easy classroom hacks and activities!

We are finally feeling the winter here in the Northeast, which means my students will be yearning for a snow day every time it flurries.  Which also means that if those flurries do not stick, students are stuck at school and forced to watch the snow from the classroom.  Bummer! 

Here are some quick and easy ways we celebrate a snow day (while still being in school) with the added bonus of helping students get those extra wiggles out that snow flurries seem to bring!

Snow Day Hack #1: Start a virtual fire

There are lots of fireplace videos on Youtube.  Most are an hour long which means you can use them to time subjects too.  My favorite video available here is of an actual fireplace, which even shows a random person stoking the fire occasionally. I leave the volume on as well since the cracking logs adds to the atmosphere. 

If you want to have your fire going for longer than an hour, I recommend copying the URL of the video and pasting it into the website Infinite Looper.   Click search then set the video as full screen.  Infinite looper basically loops the YouTube video so when it comes to the end, it will automatically replay.  This is perfect for setting and forgetting a background video like the ones I have shared here.

If it isn’t snowing, but your students REALLY wish it was, I also love this Snow Falling video.   You can paste this URL into Infinite Looper for a full virutal snow day!

Snow Day Hack #2: Drink out of mugs

There is just something about a mug – they are Demi Lovato’s favorite dish after all – that feels cozy. 

I keep a stash of disposable plastic mugs just for a snowy non snow day at school.  Write student names with sharpie on the side and distribute.  We fill ours with water and students sip from it during read to self or independent work.  I like the plastic mugs because they are reusable all year, but if you are concerned about spills, the paper ones work well too – especially if you use the sleeves Starbucks-style. 

However, you may also want to consider having students bring a mug from home or keep a collection of thrifted ceramic ones on hand.  Using the real deal will make students more likely to buy-in.

Snow Day Hack #3: Make snow ball fidgets

The best part of a snow day are the snow balls!  While there are kits of fake snowballs you can purchase, you can make your own set (or have students help) using just white nylons and poly fill.  I followed this tutorial to create a class set.  Each nylon sock will make about 3 snowballs.

White athletic socks turned inside-out and filled with cotton balls work great in a pinch too.  If you are somewhat crafty, you can sew the opening shut or use velcro.

Have students keep these in their desk as a fidget, or if you have a Smartboard, they can toss these at the board to answer questions.  Once you make a set, you can bring these out all winter long.  

Snow Day Hack #4: Make snow angels

So this one isn’t that special, just literally tell you students to get on the floor and make a snow angel.  Obviously remind your students to spread out at least an arms-length apart.  

This is a silly but oh-so-fun energizer brain break students will love.  One year a student told me it was like being a turtle flipped on his shell doing jumping jacks.  You will never not see that! 

Snow Day Hack #5: Build jacket blanket forts

Have students use their big bulky jackets, scarves, hats, etc. and chairs for this mini STEM challenge.  I had students work in pairs or teams of 3.  The challenge was to build a fort where they could read for independent reading time.  They had 10 minutes.  I was not strict about it having roofs or 4 walls or anything in particular.  

This quick team-building activity got students communicating, working together, and problem solving all while getting some of that extra energy out.  Plus they ended up with a pretty rad place to read.

I hope this gives you some ideas for making a chilly winter day a little different and fun (without changing the whole routine) and for giving students some built-in breaks from the cabin fever that can set in on cold, snowy non snow day!  Even if you live somewhere warm, have a snow day at school just because!  

Read More...