tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4618610924048163361.post8605050479978683502..comments2017-05-16T19:55:27.398-04:00Comments on Take Me to 3rd Grade!: Brag Tags in Middle School ???Jenn Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299844084842185122noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4618610924048163361.post-31818540001336386442017-05-16T19:55:27.398-04:002017-05-16T19:55:27.398-04:00I'm using Class Brag Tags with my 5th and 6th ...I'm using Class Brag Tags with my 5th and 6th graders. I post them on a board behind my desk. They are actually competing with each other to see which class gets the most!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09254457466579189664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4618610924048163361.post-76580823104842883412015-08-22T08:24:40.464-04:002015-08-22T08:24:40.464-04:00I have taught middle school for many years and I c...I have taught middle school for many years and I can pretty much bet that the majority of yours will not be into public recognition in the form of a necklace. However, my students were highly motivated by earning special privileges like sitting by a friend, free time, extra computer lab time, no homework passes, snack days, etc... You may consider coupons instead. :) Good luck with your new adventure! <br /><br />Jeannine<br /><a href="http://creativelessoncafe.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Creative Lesson Cafe</a>Jeanninehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14768509819244334317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4618610924048163361.post-44244605371743710192015-08-20T09:10:14.248-04:002015-08-20T09:10:14.248-04:00Hi! So I am about to write a novel :)
I am eleme...Hi! So I am about to write a novel :)<br /><br />I am elementary trained and have a STEM certificate. I got hired in my district in middle school. I was a bit bummed out that I did not start my career in 2nd grade like I thought I would. I went into my first year teaching trying all of these programs that I knew worked in elementary. Kids laughed at me, kids disrespected me, kids hated me.<br /><br />And why wouldn't they. I was treating them like overgrown 2nd graders. <br /><br />I am going to be very honest for the kids that I know (6-8th graders in a low socio-economic, inner city school). My 6th graders MIGHT buy into the idea of brag tags, my 8th graders would think I was nuts. They would not for one second care that they had something saying they are showing "studious behavior" hanging form a chain, and they certainly would not brag about it as that would make them a "nerd."<br /><br />HOWEVER I can understand where you are coming from, and here is my suggestions:<br />Use the tags more like currency. Pass them out on the sly and have students collect them. Allow students to trade them in for things like "sit where you would like," "use pen today," "sit in the teacher chair," "bump up a quiz grade," "extra credit." Things that do not cost money. You could have them use them to pay for things that they should have like pencils, notebooks, or other supplies with high value. The trading in will make it less of a "brag" and more of the idea that nothing is free. Trading them in means you will also get them back and not need as many. <br /><br />As for numbers...figure out how many things they can trade ("choose your own seat" ect) and how many things they can buy (pencils, bathroom passes). Then you will just have to make a reasonable number of tags per person. I would say 5-7 per student. <br /><br />Your new 8th graders are getting to the age where they need to start taking responsibility for doing the right thing not being rewarded for doing the right thing. Middle school is a whole new ball of fun. But what I have learned is you have to treat them like high-schoolers - knowing they are still more like the 3rd graders you have loved! They want to be independent but need a lot of hand holding still. You are going to be great!<br /><br />Cheers,<br />Jameson<br /><a href="http://lessonswithcoffee.com" rel="nofollow">Lessons With Coffee</a> <br />Lessons With Coffeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15471004258721466399noreply@blogger.com