Organization

Making Chair Pockets

I wanted to make new chair pockets.  I made some last year but I wanted new ones that were larger and more durable.  I ordered eight yards of duck cloth from Fabric.com.  This allows me several extra yards for pillows and extra pockets for new students.  The pockets cost me $56.00.  I was able to make 24 chair pockets and two pillow covers.  

1. Cut fabric 14 1/2 inches wide x 32 inches long.  I cut four pieces per yard.  The 14 1/2 inch end should be cut with standard shears.  The 32 inch long piece should be cut with pinking shears. (Try and get a good helper!)
   
2. Turn in the top and bottom pieces 1/2" and iron one end toward the front and flip the fabric over and iron the other side in 1/2".  Sew with a straight stitch.
   

Iron a 7" pocket on one side with the sewn hem facing inside.  Flip the fabric over and iron a 10" pocket. (*Pockets may also be ironed to 11" for a slightly larger pocket.)  Sew along the edge using a flat lock stitch. *This technique may concern some seamstresses who do not want the seam to show.  I am trying out this technique to see if the pockets will hold up with the seam exposed.  The pockets end up looking crisp and are much easier to construct.

This is the 7" pocket side.  This pocket fits over the chair.

This is the 10" pocket.  This is the storage pocket.

Pick a friend to help!  This is Boo  Boo Kitty.

Puff Ball Behavior System-

I have several positive behavior intervention systems in my classroom.  Our class works together to earn power puffs for great behavior.  Our Discovery class (specials) offers additional opportunities to earn power puffs.  Our class earns a special reward when we fill our jar.  We just filled our jar on day #8 of school.  We earned a classroom fish!  Our next reward will be to make playdough.

My classroom has a puff stick can by the door.  I draw a secret puff stick out each day and carry it in my pocket.  The entire class is encouraged to stay quiet in the hallway by thinking about this puff stick.  I announce the name on the puff stick at the end of the day.  If the child whose name is on the stick was quiet, then he or she earns a power puff.

The students are encouraged to work as teams at their tables to earn puff points.  I award points for quickly and quietly following directions.  Tables may earn points for keeping a clean work space.

We count points at the end of the week.  The winning table earns our table trophy for the following week.

Each student has a behavior clip on our color clip chart.  Clips may be moved up and down throughout the day based on choices that students make.  We color our calendars at the end of the day with the color that we ended with.  Green earns one pixie puff.  Blue earns two pixie puffs.  Purple earns one power puff.  We place our puffs in a pocket with our name clipped to the front.  On Friday, we each have the opportunity to purchase a prize, or a puff pass.  Students may purchase one pass and one prize.  Prizes and passes cost 5 points.  Power puffs are worth five points and pixie puffs are worth one point.  The students are loving the puff system.  I feel like it is an improvement over just stamping calendars because it is concrete.  Students who do not earn enough puffs to make a purchase are encouraged to save their puffs for next time.  Extra puffs may always be saved for future purchases.