I have only been doing the Scoreboard game with the white cards so far. I give a star to the class for the day if they had more smilies than frownies. That 1 star = 1 min. of free music/dance time on Friday. If they have more frownies that day, then they either don't get a star, or they lose a star.

Today I added the Independents. I came home and re-read my WBT for Challenging Students (old version) b/c I realized today that I didn't have a consequence for my independents. I also began reading the new version and will have to replace the one I have now. So, yes, I realize I should've done the Guff Counter 1st.

Here are my questions:
1. Should I continue with the Independents or replace with the Guff Counter?
2. I am having a hard time with rewards. Our schedule/curriculum doesn't allow for more recess or barely any "free" time. (I teach in McKinney, TX where we joke that we actually teach a grade higher than the one we're really in.)
3. Do you think I need to implement a different consequence system for the Scoreboard?

Hi there!
Just trying to understand when you said the scoreboard with the white cards. It sounds like you are talking about the practice cards and the scoreboard. The scoreboard is the first management tool that you use. You are going to use this until you get most of your class going. Usually we say about 4~6 weeks, at least, until you move on to the Practice Cards.

Once you get to Practice cards, you are going to work for several weeks going through the different colors~ White, purple, then green. Then you move on to the next steps.

If you have gotten that far, I would say start the Guff counter if you have Guff. Move in that direction~ maybe this will eliminate your independents. If you don't have guff at this point, then~ go to independents.

As far as rewards/ consequences~ rather than a longer recess~ is there something you can send out with them? SIdewalk chalk, bubbles, etc? Also~ mind soccer is a great review game that your students can do and this is MUCH better than just free time. For consequences, students can do 1 minute~3 minute practice sessions of the rules/routines they are struggling with. That is if having them lose 1~3 minutes of recess while watching their friends go out is out of the question.

Hope this helps:)!