Guff

We started the Guff counter before Thanksgiving and lets just say we had some serious fun practicing!! There are some kids that really don't have an ounce of Guff in them.


Scoreboard Reward

 At the beginning of the year, we didn't really think we were going to ever need the Guff counter.  Well, as time went by, and students got more comfortable, it became apparent that it would be a useful tool to manage our extra, extra dynamic students.  We have had only a couple of Guff points on the scoreboard, and it didn't take long for students to see what a Guff point could do to the scoreboard at the end of the week; teacher winner, winner...chicken dinner!  By the way, substitute complaints count as Guff.

The Guff counter has also highlighted how invested the kids are in scoreboard.  Since implementing Guff,  when I redirect behavior I can "see" the kids thinking about a response to defend themselves but end up keeping it to themselves.  On the couple of occasions where I have said, "That sounds like Guff to me.  Where is my marker?" and the kids respond with "Please, stop!" the whole room goes so quiet you can hear a pin drop.  It is unbelievable.   Watching it in action also helps to support the timing of implementation.  Like Whole Brain says, it increases the challenge of scoreboard and wouldn't work if used too early in the year.  The kids are doing a great job earning their reward and know our routines are not just for show.  We mean business.  Their respect for our classroom rules and routines has been outstanding.  We are so proud of them.

Also, we had our first student reach Leader on the Super Improvers board. The kids were so impressed by this student because it isn't someone they would expect, but they knew she had earned it.  All students are still counting their stars when they come into class and are motivated by the collection of stars of their peers. Falling too far behind their peers also puts a little fire under them as well.  In the new year, we are going to establish new goals for the 2nd of half of term 2 and term 3.  I wonder what they will be working on during our final term?  We are convinced that Living Legends will emerge!!