Do It All With Dojo!
A couple years ago, I started using Class Dojo for classroom and behavior management, and kicked my clip chart to the curb. Last year when I moved to 2nd grade, my whole grade level decided we all wanted to use Dojo together and we love it! I decided to put together a little list of reasons why I personally LOVE Dojo, in case you were thinking about making the switch! Not ready to switch from a clip down system? You totally do Dojo without making a change to your established behavior system!
#1: There's an app for that.
You can manage your class straight from the Dojo app, and parents can use the app to track their own child's progress in real time. REAL TIME.
#2: Set your own points and point values for behaviors.
You can quickly customize what your students can earn points for, as well as what they lose points for. In my class, kids earn points for "Following Directions Quickly", "Teamwork", "Participation", "Listening", and more. You can do as many as you like. I take points for things like "Excessive Talking", "Unkind Words", or even "Distracted Driving" when they are getting too crazy in the hallway line! Haha!
#3: Connect with parents without giving out your cell #.
Similar to Remind, with Dojo you can send a message to one parent, or a class announcement to everyone at once. Add photos, videos and text to these. Easy and quick--right on your phone.
#4: Student Stories (psst... portfolios for the littles! eek!!)
Dojo added Student Stories to the platform last year and I L-O-V-E it. You can keep your class iPad in a central location, and allow students to take a picture of their work or activity to share on their student story. Their parents will be the only ones who see it, and they can also give feedback to their child! And no, its not difficult at all for them to use--even non-readers. They click the app to open, choose their name/avatar, snap a pic, and share! EASY!
#5: Character Education! It's an all in one!
Dojo even offers a video series that helps teach character education. Quick and simple cartoon videos show the importance and relevancy of character education themes like empathy, persistence, helping others, and teamwork.
#6: AWESOME management tools!
From your phone, you can set timers, use your mic to capture and control classroom noise levels, generate questions and announcements, and more--and all of it casts straight to your Smartboard! All you do is log on to Class Dojo from your Smartboard computer and manage the tools from your app. So awesome.
#7: Random Picker
No more need for the popsicle sticks when you have Dojo. Click "random" and Dojo chooses a student for you. #winning
If you are interested in setting up Dojo in your room, I would be more than happy to help you! Just let me know!
