The "CliffsNotes" - To explain briefly, ClassDojo is the behaviour management tool I use with my junior classes to encourage positive behaviour. It allows parent involvement and is a great way for me to keep in touch with parents and vice versa. For more details about this awesome tool, read the information below...
HOW TO CONNECT TO CD...
ClassDojo is accessible through the website, and via the iOS and Android apps that you can download to your mobile device. At the beginning of the year I send a letter home with all new students containing parent codes and general information about ClassDojo. You can use this information to set up your account. If you haven't signed up after the first few weeks of term, I'll post letters out just in case you didn't receive the one sent home with your child. If you'd prefer not to sign up that's completely fine, but I really do encourage you to as it makes it so much more exciting and motivating for the students and you'll receive important reminders and updates through the messaging feature. If you have any trouble getting set up, please don't hesitate to contact me, I'll be happy to give you a hand! THINGS TO NOTE...
My junior classes have a weekly homework sheet with activities to complete by the end of the week that I ask parents to sign off on, as well as a weekly spelling booklet we work through in class. We also set goals at the beginning of each week based on each student’s individual ClassDojo percentage from the week before; these will be recorded on the homework sheet, so you can see if your child is meeting these goals. Students will keep these resources in their Spelling and Homework folder. FUN FEATURES...
Messenger: The parent messaging feature is my favourite CD feature! It makes keeping in touch with parents so quick and easy. Groups: CD lets teachers group students together for things like reading groups, teams, group assessments, etc. This helps promote teamwork and camaraderie. Class Story: A fun new feature, Class Story takes parent communication to the next level! It's similar to a social media "wall" but completely safe and private. Teachers can post updates, photos, and more to keep parents in the loop, and parents can view and "like" them. Only parents and teachers connected to the class can view Class Story. |
WHAT IS CLASSDOJO?
Class Dojo is an online behaviour management tool to encourage positive and discourage negative behaviour. It’s used in many primary schools, so you may already be familiar with it, but I’ve also found it quite effective with junior (Years 8 & 9) high school classes, as have a number of my colleagues. HOW DO I USE CD IN THE CLASSROOM?
Students receive positive points during each lesson for displaying positive behaviour, such as lining up properly, participating in discussions, putting their hand up before speaking, teamwork, being on task, and coming to class prepared. They also receive negative points for inappropriate behaviour, such as being off task, leaving the room without permission, using inappropriate language, being disruptive, talking without their hand up, and not coming prepared. At the end of the week we check the percentage of positive points that we've achieved as a class and as individuals. Students have a "Loyalty Card" that I stamp when they achieve 95% or higher positive points in a week. When they have 3 stamps they can spin my Prize Wheel and win a prize, such as a ‘no homework’ pass, a treat, something from the Prize Box, or their choice of seat for the week. Those students who end the week on negative points will have a lunchtime appointment with me in the following week; if this is a continuing issue then you'll receive a phone call from me to discuss strategies to go forward with. Points are reset at the start of each week, so each child has the chance to start over with a clean slate and improve their behaviour. I also appoint a Dojo Master each week. Every student in the class will have a turn, so this isn't based on their points each week. This student is my helper and gets to use our class iPhone to help me take attendance and award points to the class. The kids take this job very seriously, they love being involved and trying to 'catch' other students doing positive things so they can award points.
I find that ClassDojo has really helped to improve classroom behaviour and the kids really enjoy the chance to receive positive feedback. Having the app projected onto the board periodically throughout the lesson also encourages students to strive to do well and discourages less desirable behaviour. It also introduces an element of competition as students can see who’s beating them in points and how many more points they need in order to be the winner for the week.
MY FAVOURITE ASPECTS OF CD...
One of the really great things about this platform is that it allows parents to also be involved and reinforce positive behaviour at home through accessing their child’s report. It allows you to view the types of points being awarded to your child each lesson and their overall report for the week, and it is completely private. I'm also able to add comments each day in relation to points and the general behaviour of individual students. Students can also access their account to change the look of their avatar and see their points, which really helps them engage with ClassDojo and boosts motivation. Each year for new students, I set up their student accounts, but you will need to login and verify their account from your parent one in order for them to be able to view their points and change their avatar. Students cannot see messages or comments communicated between parents and teachers from their student account. Finally, one of my favourite features of Class Dojo is the ability to send messages and photos to parents through the app. I find the messaging feature can be used to great effect, but please let me know if you would prefer I didn’t message you through Dojo. However, I really do encourage as many parents as possible to sign up and utilise Dojo, particularly the messaging feature, as I often use it to send out general class information, reminders, and homework and assessment information. Note: I don't use the photo feature very often, but if you definitely do not want to receive photos or would prefer your child not to be in any photographs, please let me know. I would like everyone’s experience with Dojo to be as positive as possible! |
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