Classroom Management with Warm Fuzzies

I'm back....yes, I'm back. I am finally feeling good & up to blog again. After getting a ton of messages from new teachers & even seasoned teachers about classroom management I thought it was time for a more detailed post about how I keep my classroom manageable. I have a secret...it's magical & it's NOT too late to start.............2 words.........WARM FUZZIES. I have been using this for at least 6 years & LOVE IT! Here are my fuzzy containers. This was stolen borrowed from a former 1st grade teacher I used to work with...IDK where she got the idea from but I heart it!   

Here are my two containers for big & little warm fuzzies. One  BIG one equals 5 little ones. So to get a big one is kind of a big HUGE deal to a first grader. I will give some examples for earning & losing fuzzies...big & little. 
BIG FUZZIES: 
1. Each student that passes an AR test gets a BIG fuzzy. 
2. If a student gets a "wow" on a spelling test or any random test they get a BIG fuzzy. 
3. I have a line leader...refer to classroom job post...my line leader & I work together to watch the "secret walker" to and from our destination. My line leader picks a stick (I have about 5 cups in various places with each student's name on a popsicle stick) & is sworn to secrecy that they won't tell that person. If they are not caught talking in the hall they get a BIG fuzzy. If they are caught talking in the hall, they OWE me a BIG fuzzy. This pretty much keeps my whole class quiet down the hallway because they don't know if it's them or not. 
4. Today I was reviewing what we have learned about penguins thus far. If they remember a BIG word such as "regurgitate" I will give them a BIG fuzzy. 
5. I give voluntary monthly reading logs, extra spelling homework, etc & if they return it finished they get a BIG fuzzy. 
6. When I blog on my classroom blog, I usually put a little note "If you read this blog tell your child I owe them a BIG fuzzy. We keep this on the down low & they know to whisper it to me. This is how I know who is even bothering to read our blog. 
7. The first 5 who finish their morning work with NO mistakes get a big fuzzy. If they have one mistake then they get a little one. More than one mistake=NADA. 
LITTLE FUZZIES: 
First of all I take these more than give them. 
1. If they don't write their name on a paper...all I say is "fuzzy" & they turn one in. 
2. If they are a "chicken" refer to post HERE...they owe me a fuzzy. 
3. If they hand in homework w/out a name....fuzzy. 
4. If they forget to pick their lunch, turn in their homework, sharpen a pencil, etc by the bell....fuzzy. 
5. One of my classroom jobs is a "Scrap Monster". I will give them a heads up when the scrap monster is coming & if they have a crayon, pencil, glove or whatever on or under their desk...fuzzy. If they are clean & organized they get a fuzzy. 
6. One of my jobs is "Cubbie Inspector". If they leave a book, coat, shoe, whatever they may leave on the floor...fuzzy. 
7. If another teacher pays us a compliment...each of them will get a fuzzy. 
8. If they ignore the principal & don't attack him every time he walks in the room...fuzzy. 
9. If they interrupt me while I'm gossiping taking care of business on the phone...fuzzy. 
10. If they interrupt me and another adult while we're complaining talking about an issue with a parent...fuzzy. 
I think I might just tally myself & keep track of how many times I say "fuzzy". Once this system is in place when I take one away it's like I just ruined their life. There are tears, kicking & screaming...you name it...I've seen it. BUT...it works. If we are ever gifted with a child I will totally do warm fuzzies with them at home. In fact, I just suggested that to a parent today. This was our 4th conference...btw. I think I need to invent ritalin scented candles, what do you think? Don't even try to copy me I have a patent. 

This is what they hold their fuzzies in. I used to use old film containers & even ziploc baggies until I found these. I was at a teacher store about 5 years ago & walked passed these & a light bulb went off. They are supposed to be used for painting. The brush just lays inside. The hole is perfect. This caused problems at first. Basically, if they touch it, I take it. I know I'm a meanie. But you know if I wasn't strict about playing around with it they would have their hands in it or on it ALL. DAY. LONG. On Fridays is when we trade our fuzzies for the following. The lid ONLY comes off on Friday when I say they can count their fuzzies. If I see them trying to count them before, I take them all. Needless to say, this doesn't happen...EVER. Check them out here from Lakeshore Learning. 

This is a view of the shelf with all the trading goodies. 

They can get a pencil, pencil grip, homework pass, or pencil top eraser for the price of 2 big fuzzies (=10) or 10 little fuzzies. 

Here are the infamous reward coupons I made in the beginning of the year. Pin them & then grab yours here!
No, I can't give you editable versions, sorry. I paid for a license for the graphics & with it I have to agree NOT to give an editable version with these graphics on it. 
After the first week of school I knew the treasure box or a piece of candy WAS NOT going to work with this bunch. Let's just say their very active with MAJOR verbal overflow issues.  When we trade they can only pick the same coupon once. I learned this the HARD WAY. I had one student that chose 5 "Teacher's Desk" coupons. That is one of the most popular ones BTW. It has been trial & error with each coupon. For example, the "Teacher's Desk" coupon can only be used in the morning. They must go back to their own desk after lunch. If they are not focusing, which has happened....BUH-BYE. All coupons must be given to me by the bell or they are not "valid" that day...lol. Trust me, they remember this. They don't remember to pick their lunch but they remember to give me the "Stinky Feet" coupon! At first my little nuggets were overwhelmed by the choices but eventually they all have their favorites. 
I was a lot little annoyed when I first started this BUT like anything "new" you have to make adjustments. 
I love when it's trading day & they get all excited....especially my really good students...because they get TONS of coupons that they deserve. On the flip side, if they are not reading, passing tests & not listening they barely have enough fuzzies to get one coupon. It's a very sad day for them BUT it makes them make better choices...for an hour..lol. 
I printed them on card stock, laminated & cut & store them in the plastic container. It's their responsibility to hold onto their coupons in a safe place. If they lose it, not my problem. I think I have had one student lose a coupon & he's lucky he even had one. It's A.M.A.Z.I.N.G how responsible they become with these coupons. It gives them ownership & even more responsibility. It's great to reward the students that deserve all the prizes they get. 

Please leave me some comment love! I have to go to Home Depot with the hubby now. Oh joy. KMN (kill me now). Seriously?!? I can't contain my excitement! 

If you are interested in a more in depth explanation of how I use this system check out my Classroom Management presentation here. 

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

First I want to apologize for not announcing the winner until today. We moved & had no INTERNET! I know, O.M.G! My husband & I had a HUGE little miscommunication about AT&T & have been suffering with no cable or Internet. Again....O.M.G! We are dying! I almost actually picked up a book to read until I realized I didn't know where any were at....I wasn't going to look through the hundreds of boxes in the garage! I. HATE. MOVING. This will never happen again my friends so no more late announcements or stalking my blog to see if I posted a winner yet. I will never move again & not have Internet. I felt like I was starring in Survivor or something. Now onto one VERY lucky winner! The winner needs to email me @ seusstasticblogspot@gmail.com within 2 days to claim all their prizes. I will discuss my TPT store details when I get an email. Thanks to all the fabulous bloggers for their donations & to all you blog stalkers for participating. This giveaway really made my 40th more exciting! 

I could not believe there was 2,752 comments! Seriously?!? Amazing!

Congratulations Amy from The Resourceful Room! I would go to Vegas if I were you!

40 & Fabulous Giveaway

As many of you know I turned the BIG 4-0 right before Christmas. As depressing as that may seem, it really wasn't all that bad. My husband made the whole week very special for me. On top of my week long celebration I also reached my follower goal...yippee! This calls for a celebration, am I right?????? I gave myself a little break from creating things & blogging until I came up with this. In celebration of the BIG 4-0 ONE lucky winner will receive over 90 products from 40+ talented bloggers....did I just say 40+?!? Yes! 40+ bloggers! Actually 45 fabulous & extremely creative teacher bloggers & sellers. 
All you have to do to enter is follow their blogs and TPT stores. For each blog you follow, leave a comment. For each TPT store you follow, leave a comment. The more blogs & TPT stores you follow = a better chance of winning all the following fabulous products! The giveaway will end at midnight on Friday, January 6th. One lucky winner will be randomly chosen and their winnings will be sent via email shortly after January 7th.

I will announce the winner sometime on January 7th. You will have 2 days to contact me via email to claim your prizes. Remember to leave a comment when you follow a blog or store (one comment for each). Good luck! 

1. Follow me by clicking the "follow" button on the right side bar....it looks like this. 

Simply click "Join this site". 

Follow my TPT STORE here

Since it's my giveaway I will let you pick 40 items just from my TPT STORE!

2. Rachel from www.FisherReyna.com and her TPT STORE. 

3. Amanda from A Special Kind of Class and her TPT STORE.

4. Gillian from Nyla's Crafty Teaching and her TPT STORE.

5.Denise from Sunny Days in Second Grade and her TPT STORE. 

 6. Charity from The OC BLOG and her OCB STORE.

7. Heidi from Globicate and her TPT STORE 

8.Dana from 3rd Grade Gridiron and her TPT STORE.

 9. Shelly from Teaching in the Early Years and her TPT STORE.

 10. Caitlin from Ms. Preppy and her TPT STORE. 

11. Rachel from SubHub and her TPT STORE. 

12. Carolyn from The Wise Owl Factory and her TPT STORE.

13. Vicky AKA Scipi from Go Figure and her TPT STORE. 

14. Cindy from Kinderkay.

 15. Erin from Small Types and her TPT STORE.

16. Heidi from Raki's Rad Resources and her TPT STORE. 

17. Lisa Rombach's TPT STORE.

18. Deanna  from Mrs. Jump's Class and her TPT STORE.

19. Debbie from Rainbows Within Reach is donating her Monster Spray song! 
20. Hadar from Miss Kindergarten and her TPT STORE. 

21. Jenaya from Lesson Plan Diva and her TPT STORE.

 22. Kathy from First Grade Ala Carte and her TPT STORE. 

23. Mary from Sharing Kindergarten and her TPT STORE. 

24. Rachel from What the Teacher Wants and her TPT STORE. 

25. Erin & Leslie from First Grade Fanatics and their TPT STORE. 

26. Kelly & Diane from Made for 1st Grade and their TPT STORE.

 27. Christi Squires and her TPT STORE.

 28. Annie from The Moffatt Girls and her TEACHER'S NOTEBOOK STORE.

 29. Dee Laviolette and her TPT STORE. 

30. Jodi from Fun-in-First and her TPT STORE.

31. Hilary from Rockin Teacher Materials and her TPT STORE. 

32. Lidia from Kid's Reading Activities and her TPT STORE. 

33. Leslie from Kindergarten Works and her TPT STORE. 

34. Melissa from Mrs. Freshwater's Class and her TPT STORE.

 35. Kelli from Castles and Crayons and her TPT STORE.

 36. Kim from Kindergals and her TPT STORE. 

37. Caitlin from Kindergarten Smiles and her TPT STORE.

  38. Linda from Primary Inspiration and her TPT STORE.

 39. Jennifer from First Grade Blue Skies and her TPT STORE. 

40. Donna from Kinderglynn and her TPT STORE. 

 I know it's only supposed to be 40 generous blogger BUT I have a few more! 

41. Erica from Erica Bohrer and her TPT STORE. 

42. Jennifer from Rowdy in First Grade and her TPT STORE.

 43. Amanda from One Extra Degree and her TPT STORE. 

44. Cara from The First Grade Parade and her TPT STORE.

45. Rebecca from Teaching First and her TPT STORE

Holy Cow! That was officially my biggest blog. You are lucky I love you guys so much to do this on New Year's Eve....I'm so LAME cool! 

I want to thank all of you for being a faithful follower & I also want to thank all the fabulous bloggers for sharing their awesome creations! 

Don't forget to follow each blog and TPT STORE. Leave one comment for EACH. The more you follow the bigger chance you have of winning! I can't begin to add up the $$$ value of all of this but I know it's A LOT! 40 items from my store alone is at least a $120 value! Please share this contest with your school staff! 

For those of you that are  following my journey of becoming a mom.....the procedure we had did not take :o( That is mostly why I haven't blogged in a while. I was in a bit of a funk :o( This blog, my husband & family are  my happiness & I am going to be ok, I know it. We are going to wait a few months, save some more $$$ & have another procedure. I will keep you updated. Thank you for all the emails I have received about this. It really melts my heart & puts a smile back on my face. Love you all! Good Luck to a VERY LUCKY WINNER!