Testimonials

"I remember this day like it was yesterday.  I was sitting in my second grade classroom, talking in sign language to my friend across the table.  It was instructional time and I probably shouldn't have been doing this but all I can remember is the booming voice I heard coming from the chalkboard.  She said, "Brittany is that what you are supposed to be doing?  Go flip your card, I don't want to see that again!"  I was so embarrassed, I started to get hot and my face turned red.  I even remember what I was wearing on that fateful day, it was a plaid jumpsuit.  I remember this so vividly because about two weeks later I must have been acting in a way that I shouldn't have and the same thing happened.  My teachers booming voice made me jump and she told me to flip my card for the second time in my life.  What is ironic about this is that I had on my jumper again.  You better believe that after that terrible, humiliating experience for yet the second time in my life, that jumper was put straight in the garbage when I got home". - Brittany Rodgers

With stories like this it is come to our attention that perhaps card flipping is not the most effective method of classroom management. As future teachers, we have all experienced first hand the unfortunate humiliation that the card flipping system can impose on children. However, we also understand how challenging it is to find a behavior management strategy that is effective. Therefore, we have investigated additional strategies that we feel establish a firm foundation for classroom management and still preserves the dignity of the students.