Using Class Dojo in the Upper Grades

Using Class Dojo in the Upper Grades

I’m sure you’ve heard of, or seen the online management system Class Dojo! I’m here to show you how to use Class Dojo in the upper grades!

When I first heard of Class Dojo, it seemed daunting. Having to give points to every single student...through out the whole day...both positive and negative?! I have 30- 4^th graders in my class and it seemed unrealistic to be at my computer all day giving points! After using class Dojo last year and now this year, I feel like I’ve mastered some tips to really make Dojo work for you.

What is Class Dojo?

Class dojo is an online management system where you can reward students with positive or negative points, connect with parents, and post photos of what’s going on in your classroom.

How do you keep up with points all day?

Class Dojo is available as an app on your phone and tablet. I rarely give points from my computer because I’m constantly moving around. You can also set up tables or groups of students on dojo so you can give an entire group a point at the same time. There is also an option to reward multiple students at the same time. By walking around with my phone, it really doesn’t take too much time! The great thing about giving points through the day is it makes an audible sound. Students can hear when someone gets a point, and it immediately reminds them to check that they are on task! I also let my “Dojo of the Day” use my tablet to give points! More on that down below!

How Do You Use Class Dojo as a Rewards System?

My students are very motivated to earn dojo points, because there are rewards tied to points! Here is a picture of my reward chart! I start with one at the beginning of the school year and then after Christmas break I wipe everyone clean and we start on a second chart with new prizes and rewards! I don’t let students see their points until the very end of the day. After clean up, I pull up the website and project it on the board! I then go into score reports and the class gets to see who earned the most points that day! They become our “Dojo of the Day” the following day and receive extra privileges! The students do a big drum roll leading up to the reveal of “Dojo of the Day” and sing a good job chant for that student. We can get pretty excited about this!

What is Dojo of the Day? What do they get?

Dojo of the day is the student who received the most points the day before. The following day they get a special chair bag, a necklace, can sit in my banana chair during silent reading time and are also able to give out points on my tablet if I need them to! I also send home a special note to parents! My note is pre-typed and I keep a whole bunch of copies ready to go! 

Here is my Dojo of the Day necklace! I got the plastic necklace holder at the dollar store! 

Here is my Dojo of the Day Chair Bag! The green bag is really just a dollar store draw string backpack! I bought some felt and hand made the rest!

Here is the special banana chair!

This is the special note I send home at the end of the day after our big drum roll and good job cheer!

What if a student reaches 100 points before Christmas Break?

I normally will have a few students get to 100 points before they are wiped clean! No problem! They simply start back at the bottom of the reward chart but earn doubles! For example, if a student reaches 110 points they get 2 candies instead of one. If they reach 130 points they get to wear a hat for two days instead of one.

How Do You Use Dojo for Consequences?

My classroom consequences are as follows

-1st offense: Re-direct card. I simply place a re-direct card on a students desk to remind them to make better choices. They also loose a dojo point for this.

-2nd offense: Sideline. Very similar to a time out. Students loose 3 dojo pts. for this.

-3rd offense: Parent letter home. I send home my pre-made parent letter. Student looses 5 dojo pts. for this.

How do you connect with parents?

When you first put your students into Class Dojo, there is an option to print off parent access codes. It's so simple to do and gives parents access to their child's personal Class Dojo. They are also able to message me through the app and check out and pictures I post on Class Story.

What is class story, do you use it?

Class Story is the social media part of Class Dojo. Now and then I post pictures of what we're doing on our Class Story through the Dojo app. Parents are able to "like" or comment on the photo. 

There you have it! Class Dojo is a WONDERFUL tool for classroom management! My students respond very well to it, and I hope your class will too!

Any other question! Please don't hesitate to ask!