Do the Dojo!

I Dojo, do you?

Dojo?  School?  What?

Sorry, didn't intend to confuse you.

I'm talking about Class Dojo!  And if you don't know what it is, let me give you a brief overview:

Class Dojo is a management system that actually works seamlessly with PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) that most (if not all) Michigan schools are now using.  With Class Dojo, you set up lists of desired behaviors (positives) and wishfully eliminated behaviors (negatives.)  Each child gets an avatar, and when you catch them exhibiting a desired behavior, you give them that point!  If they're caught in an undesirable situation, you take a point.

One of the highlights is that parents get live time peeks into their child's day, should they so choose to sign up and log in!

You may be wondering - what's the point of the points?  What do you do with them?

In my room, I've connected their points to our "Dojo Dollars" in our classroom economy.  On Fridays, the class gets a dollar for each positive point they have earned.  We open our class store quarterly, and they kids also use their money for basic supplies - pencils, pens, erasers, etc.  It's been highly motivating!

That, and the Dojo display lends itself to lovely math connections.

Even better, though, is the way the Dojo "watches" over the Thinkers.  In the hall.  At field trips.  During lunch.  During extra recess.  The Dojo is watching.... (Thanks to their awesome free app that you can download for your iPad, iPhone, and droid device!)