Modified Card Flipping

This method of classroom management is used when a teacher is addressing a specific behavior of one or a small group of students.  Each student begins the day with a certain number of tokens on his or her desk.  Students can lose tokens for exhibiting the target behavior but can also gain them back for demonstrations of good behavior.  This is similar to a token economy system.  

PRO:

• Can be modified based on the problem behavior
• Visual reminder for students
• Easy to use and explain to students

CON:

• Students may see this as an extension of cards.  If flipping cards does not work for an individual student, why would this?

Ratings for Modified Card Flipping:

• Reduce Public Humiliation:  This strategy does reduce the public aspect of card flipping because the tokens are placed on individual student desks.  When a target behavior is displayed, the teacher can take a token without much notice from other students.  However, if the students are sitting in tables, the table-mates of the student will be able to see the loss of a token.  One star
• Effectiveness:  Like card flipping, the effectiveness of this strategy depends on the student.  Some student behavior can be controlled with card flipping while others cannot.  Often students who struggle with card flipping are moved to this classroom management strategy.  The tokens may work with these students, but some may continue to misbehave because of the similarity to card flipping.  Half a star
• Student Acceptance:  This again will depend on the individual student.  Some students may respond to this strategy while others may not.  Because a token system can be modified to address a particular behavior an individual student is displaying.  It may be more effective at changing the specific behavior.  Half a star
• Minimal Class Disruption:  If this system is used properly, there should be no disruption to the class.  Teacher should not make a big deal of taking a token from a student or returning one.  This system is for the benefit of individual students, not the entire class.  one star