This was my first year using the CLASSROOM CHALLENGE. I plan on using it again next year. I’m curious to see how students will do since they know the expectations and have the experience of one year under their belt. I plan on streamlining my class rules and create posters rather than just having the rules written on the marker board. I’d also like to make a clear connection to the class rules and the behavior/effort section on report cards.

We were halfway through the second trimester when I had an outstanding 2nd grade class. They really wanted a GREEN for classroom behavior and effort (the Challenge Chart does NOT monitor students’ creativity). Not once did I have to remind these students of classroom rules. It was amazing! This class sat politely while I introduced the lesson, raised their hands when they had comments or questions, waited for table helpers to pass out the supplies, worked with indoor voices, put their wet art on the drying racks, waited for the table helpers to clean up the supplies and waited politely to line up at the end of art class. Not to mention they made outstanding art! I was blown away. I couldn’t contain my enthusiasm and how impressed I was with them as a class, as a team! We reviewed all the things they did correctly that day. I told them I wanted reward them with something bigger and greater than a GREEN square. So, on the 6th week the RAINBOW square was born! In order to get a rainbow students follow all the classroom rules without ME reminding them. It’s okay if friends remind friend in a polite manner. Our focused shifted to more team work, and being accountable for their own behavior. And that is when the “love letters” started being left on my desk and my classroom door :-)