BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A third-grade class teacher at Watsessing Elementary School is using a behavioral communications computer program that allows parents to log in and find out if their child is being naughty or nice, in real time. The system also allows the parent to respond to the teacher about reported behavior.
The program, which essentially keeps score on acceptable and unacceptable behavior, is nothing new, according to teacher James Fox. But he believes his class is the only one in the school using it.
Its name is “Classdojo” and during a “snow day” party in the classroom Friday, Jan. 12, Fox explained how it works.
Displaying a number of plastic jewels, he said that these gems, colored blue or red, are counted as points representing good behavior. When a student behaves properly, they receive a blue gem. This is deposited into a personalize paper cup kept at the front of the class.
After five blue gems or points are collected, they are exchanged for a single red gem. But if a student does something considered unacceptable, a point is taken away from them and the red gem becomes four blue gems again.
Fox initiated the program in September and saw positive results within the first few weeks. In effect, the children are given the opportunity to watch their good behavior add up.
“Student behavior starts to improve because of the point system,” he said
So, what’s naughty and what’s nice?
Acceptable behavior that will garner a blue gem, he said, is helping others; following directions; staying seated; teamwork; industriousness; and staying on task.
Unacceptable behavior that makes gems disappear is not keeping one’s hands and feet to oneself; laughing when another student gets into trouble; making fun of someone; being out of one’s seat constantly; talking back; talking too much; and touching hallway bulletin boards. Fox said this last concern is because of damage to hallway decorations.
Once the behavior of a student is given a point, or one is taken away, Fox sends a message to the parent on its way. Parents are already set up with the Classdojo program and explanations of the behavior are standardized. The student can also access the report on the classroom smartboard so they know exactly where they stand, so to speak. Fox said this is a benefit of the program.
“If something is done, right or wrong, the student learns about it right away to fix their behavior,” he said.
A parent will express gratitude, he said, when they learn their child is behaving properly.
“But if the child is having a hard day, the parent will ask what can we do and then we’ll come up with a strategy,” Fox said.
Fox is a product of the Bloomfield School District, having attended Demarest Elementary. He graduated from Bloomfield High School in 2007 and began as a district substitute in 2011. He has been at Watsessing since 2012 as a paraprofessional. He has been substituting in Shannon Altiere’s third-grade class. She was to have returned to work last week.
The “snow day” party had been planned for awhile and scheduled on the last Friday Fox would be with this third-grade class. Partying, the children enjoyed cinnamon buns, sno-cones; hot cocoa with marshmallows; and a movie, “Snow Buddies.” Of course, they also had to work, even on a snow day, and they moved among workstations that highlighted math and higher-reasoning puzzles.
They also read the picture-book story “The Snowy Day” and received a copy to take home.
Because he was a paraprofessional at Watsessing, Fox said he already knew the children in his class and figured Classdojo was the right fit for them.
“Teachers go through a lot of trial and error to find out what will work the best,” he said. “This works the best.”
Fox was scheduled to become the second teacher in a Title II class, providing extra support to struggling fourth-grade students.
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