Class Dojo is a widely recognized classroom management platform that enables teachers to track student behavior and engagement through a points-based system. According to the provided sources, the platform is free for educators and serves as a tool for building community and promoting positive behaviors in the classroom. Teachers can award points to individual students or the entire class for various achievements, which can then be redeemed for rewards. The provided documentation and user-generated content focus heavily on the creation and distribution of free, printable resources—often referred to as "freebies"—that complement the Class Dojo system. These resources are designed to help teachers implement reward structures without incurring out-of-pocket expenses.
The core mechanics described in the sources involve students accumulating points, often tracked on hundreds charts, and redeeming them for coupons or tickets. These coupons serve as currency for a variety of incentives, ranging from small individual privileges to larger class-wide rewards. The sources emphasize that many of these rewards are free for the teacher to implement, such as allowing a student to chew gum or choose their seat, while others may involve inexpensive items sourced from suppliers like Oriental Trading. The available freebies include printable reward charts, coupons, certificates, and starter packs that explain the system to parents and students.
Understanding the Class Dojo Points System
The Class Dojo system operates on a daily reset or cumulative point tracking method, depending on the teacher's preference. According to the documentation, students track their points on hundreds charts that extend up to 1,000. This visual tracking helps students monitor their progress toward specific reward milestones.
- Point Milestones: The sources highlight specific thresholds within the hundreds chart. Every 25th point is represented by a Dojo Monster, which triggers the eligibility for a small reward. Every 100th point is represented by Mojo, indicating that the student has moved up to the "next hundred club" and can select a larger reward.
- Daily vs. Cumulative Tracking: Some resources described in the sources are designed for daily use. In these scenarios, students color in the number of points earned each day, and the total resets the following day. However, other resources, such as the hundreds charts, suggest a cumulative approach where students build toward larger milestones over time.
- Classroom Currency: Points function as a classroom currency. Students use their earned points to "buy" sample tickets and coupons included in the free resources. This gamification of behavior management is intended to keep students engaged and motivated.
Available Free Resources for Teachers
The sources identify several categories of free resources available to educators using Class Dojo. These are primarily created by teachers and shared via platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers and Pinterest.
Reward Coupons and Tickets
Sample tickets and coupons are a central component of the free resources. These printables allow students to redeem their Dojo points for specific privileges or items. The coupons described include: * Character Coupons: These are mentioned as samples for small rewards. * Mojo Milestones: These are described as coupons for larger rewards, corresponding to the 100-point milestones. * Virtual Prizes: One resource specifically addresses distance learning, offering a list of virtual prizes that can be awarded to individual students or the entire class.
Tracking Charts and Starter Packs
To facilitate the points system, several printables are available: * Hundreds Charts: Used for students to record points up to 1,000. * Starter Packs: These comprehensive downloads often include a guide on how to use the system within the classroom, a parent note explaining Class Dojo, and points booklets for each month. * Certificates: Printable certificates are available to award the student with the most points each week.
Implementation Guides and Parent Communication
Successful implementation requires clear communication with parents. The free resources often include: * Parent Explanation Letters: A letter designed to introduce Class Dojo to parents and explain how they can get involved in tracking their child's behavior. * Permission Slips: PDF versions of documents used to gather permission from parents at the start of the school year.
Types of Rewards and Incentives
The sources list various rewards that students can purchase with their Dojo points. These incentives are categorized into free or low-cost options to ensure the system remains accessible for teachers.
- Free Incentives: Many rewards require no financial investment from the teacher. Examples found in the source material include:
- Moving seats to sit by a friend.
- Chewing bubble gum.
- Using classroom technology or privileges.
- Inexpensive Incentives: For rewards requiring physical items, the sources suggest collecting items from suppliers like Oriental Trading. Teachers are advised to search for promo codes to potentially obtain items for free or at a discount. Examples include:
- Free pencils.
- Pieces of candy.
- Small prizes from a prize box.
The flexibility of the system allows teachers to customize the rewards to fit their specific classroom management style and budget.
How to Access and Use Free Dojo Resources
The provided sources indicate that these freebies are distributed through third-party educational marketplaces and social media platforms rather than directly through the Class Dojo official website.
- Teachers Pay Teachers: A significant portion of the free resources, including the "Class Dojo Starter Pack" and "Reward Coupons," are hosted on Teachers Pay Teachers. Users can search for terms like "Class Dojo" or "Dojo Rewards" to find these free downloads.
- Pinterest: Pinterest serves as a discovery engine for these resources. Users can find boards dedicated to "Class Dojo Freebies," which curate links to printables, ideas for rewards, and classroom management tips.
- Blogs: Some resources link to blog posts that offer additional ideas on how to utilize the printables effectively in a classroom setting.
Conclusion
Based on the provided documentation, Class Dojo is a free platform that supports classroom management through a points and rewards system. The ecosystem surrounding this platform includes a variety of free, user-generated resources such as hundreds charts, reward coupons, and starter packs. These tools enable teachers to implement a behavior incentive program with minimal financial cost, utilizing free rewards or inexpensive items. The resources are primarily accessible through educational sharing sites like Teachers Pay Teachers and social media platforms like Pinterest.