classroom management

[Teri Lyn]

I have heard of a classroom management technique using marbles in a jar...the children can put one in the jar when they have exhibited positive behavior, and take one out for negative behavior. When they fill the jar they get a treat...

Has anyone used this and how exactly does it work?

[Kate]

This idea was used in my younger sons classroom last year. Whenever a child or group of children showed good behavior, eg. working quietly, finishing work quickly, being a good listener etc....the teacher would let them put marbles in a jar on behalf of the entire class. When there was a certain amount of marbles collected, the class would get a treat- maybe extra playtime, or watch a dvd etc.... But they were not required to remove marbles for negative behaviour because the whole idea was to promote good behaviour, and see the whole thing as a REWARD. Imagine how the other children would feel about a naughty child having their good behaviour marbles taken away! If a child displayed bad behaviour that was separate, and dealt with via other means.

[Linda/NE]

I used the marble jar technique years ago when I taught 3rd grade. To earn the marbles, though, it was more a group effort rather than individual children's behavior. For example, if we attended an assembly or field trip and overall the children were well behaved they earned some marbles. If no names were on the board the class earned marbles, etc. If the class overall was rowdy or too many children had names on the board they would lose marbles. When the jar was full they had a marble party that consisted of watching a video and bringing snacks.

For some teachers it works well. I found it to be a bigger hassle than it was worth. ( of course my niche is preschoolers so I didn't enjoy this age group of kids anyway) It never failed whenever marbles had to be taken out there was someone who challenged it and went into a big tizzy. It is supposed to teach teamwork but the kids have a hard time seeing beyond themselves sometimes.