As teachers, our goal is to create a classroom that values positive and kind behavior. I know there are TONS of techniques to do this, and today I’m going to share one of my favorite ones with you. I started this my first year in first grade, and it’s always been a big hit.
All you need is an empty jar:
Some colorful pom-poms:
A Label: (click the picture to download this one for free:
Using Warm Fuzzies is a pretty versatile positive reinforcement tool. You can make it whatever you want it to be, but here’s what I do.
When I introduce the warm fuzzy jar at the beginning of the year, it’s after we’ve made our classroom rules. I explain to them that when everyone is following the rules and treating others kindly it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. We talk about things that make them feel “warm and fuzzy” like when people share, when mom gives them a big hug, etc, etc. I then explain how they can earn warm fuzzies and what happens when they fill the jar.
In my classroom this year, I used a clip chart behavior system. Students started on Ready to Learn, and moved up or down depending on behavior. I highly recommend this system because it doesn’t just punish negative behavior, but it also rewards positive behavior. Additionally, my students are responsible for moving their own clips which helps them take ownership of their actions.
At the end of everyday, if everyone in the class is on Ready to Learn or above, they get to add a warm fuzzy (pom-pom) to the jar. Once the jar is filled, they earn a popcorn and movie party. If they go the entire week with everyone on Ready to Learn or above, on Friday they earn 2 warm fuzzies. (Trust me, it’s a big deal.)
Here’s the cool thing, you could totally adjust this to whatever you want to emphasize in your classroom. Maybe students earn a warm fuzzy when you see them helping each other, maybe they earn a warm fuzzy when everyone is participating, etc. etc.
You can also tailor the reward to what works for your class, and you could even have your students pick their own rewards.
Also, depending on the size of your jar, you can decide how long it will take to fill. Since a popcorn and movie party is a pretty big deal, I picked a jar that takes most of the school year to fill.
So that’s one of my favorite positive behavior systems. I’d love to hear about yours! Feel free to post your own positive behavior management blog post in the comments below!
Martha from Primary Paradise
