Class Dojo

On Monday morning, I started my day in Berwyn School District #100 touring one of their elementary schools as well as one of their middle schools.   We were observing Berwyn's awesome 1 to 1 program, which I thought was beyond amazing.  While touring the school, one of the teachers was using Class Dojo - an interactive tool that helps with classroom management.  I had read about Class Dojo before, however, never had seen it in action.   After seeing it in action on Monday, then showing it to a few teachers today, I think it would be an awesome tool for any classroom teacher!

What is ClassDojo?

ClassDojo is a classroom tool that helps teachers improve behavior in their classrooms quickly and easily. It also captures and generates data on behavior that teachers can share with parents and administrators.  Better learning behaviors, smoother lessons and hassle-free data - and its free! 

How does it work?

ClassDojo improves behavior in class with just one click of a smartphone, laptop, or tablet.

Instantly reinforce good behavior.

Easily award feedback points for behavior in class in real-time, with just one click of your smartphone or laptop. This actually improves behavior.

Engage students in minutes.

ClassDojo provides instant notifications for your students (‘Well done Josh! +1 for teamwork!’). All fully customizable for your classroom.

Get hassle-free data and reports.

ClassDojo gives you behavior-tracking analytics and reports that can be shared with parents and administrators, all with just one click. No data entry needed, ever.

The video below is a great way to introduce Class Dojo to your students.  If you want to see more or want help setting this up for your classroom, let me know and I'd be happy to help!  

Something fishy is going on here...

Gulp, it's Monday. Here's a snappy little gif of our goosefish snarfing down a shrimp. Learn more about this incredible lady and see video of the beautiful egg veil she lays here: http://goo.gl/t7VaQ #oceans   #animals  #gif  

The New England Aquarium's status caught my eye this morning as I was scrolling on my Google+ page.  It seemed a little scary to me but also prompted me to check out his goosefish a little bit further.   I'm so glad that I did as the New England Aquarium has some amazing images and videos of many different ocean animals.   I know that the 2nd graders are starting, or have just started oceans, however, how cool would this be to show your students?   These real images and videos of their exhibits and animals could really bring the ocean to life your classroom.   This could be great for the 2nd graders ocean unit, or great images to extend another story that includes ocean animals, great research tool, or an exciting writing prompt.   Be sure to check the New England Aquarium out here. 

Balls Bouncing?

Looking for a fun way to manage the noise level in your classroom?   This website, after allowing it to interact with your microphone, will monitor the noise level in your room.   If your kids start getting noisy, the balls start bouncing.   This could be fun with a projector or a SMART board.   Let me know what you think!