Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Minutes and Tickets

Well since we no longer have the TV you'd think that screen time would have been reduced right? Wrong. It just pushed my boys towards their Leapsters and "websites" (aka Disney.com). So I came up with a system for tracking the minutes Monkey spends on the computer.
Actually I got the idea from AshleyAnn. Her clipboard rocked. She is awesome and creative and a fabulous photographer.
My clipboard seems pretty vague compared to hers. But it works for us and that's what counts. The first morning Monkey said to me, "Thank you for making me special tickets, Mommy." This morning he said, "When are you going to make me more tickets, I never have enough!"

Every morning Monkey changes all of his tickets to the "Available" pocket. He's got 20 minutes to start with each morning. As he wants to use them throughout the day he can, but he has to move them to the used pocket. Solid blue tickets are worth two minutes. To help us keep track, I tucked in the small timer, either he or I set it when the first game begins.








And good behavior or some added specialness to the day, allows me to move tickets back to "Available."

Mr. Dunbar told one of his co-workers about my clipboard and their reaction was
"She's such a teacher."
Ha. Old habits are hard to break. I had clipboards for lots of things in my classroom. Bathroom. Computer time. Library checkout. Organization people, organization, it can be a learned behavior.

13 comments:

On the Bright Side said...

What a fabulous idea! And what a cute blog! I love it!

Tawny said...

Such a good, good idea! So going to copy!!!

jen@odbt said...

What a great idea. I have not been monitoring my kids' electronic usage and I'm sure it's way more than I care to admit. I'm a big fan of clipboards too - have a whole set of them hanging in our mudroom to organize us throughout the school year.

Amber said...

Great Idea! We couldn't survive without timers. (i even keep one in my purse for the park and whatnot)

The clipboard (which looks super cute) and moving of tickets is such a tangiable way for the kiddos to 'see' the minutes pass.

I will totally be using this idea...SOON!

Darlene said...

That looks like a good idea for someone who will actually use it....and that's not me. I congratulate you on sticking with a program. Cute tickets!

Anonymous said...

You inspire me to be better.
I really need you back at work!
Kim M.

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

Oh Honey, I LOVE It!!! You are so very right about that organization being learned... Oh yeah!

We don't have TV either. Crazy how you can get used to it being gone...

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

Oh and I forgot to tell you that I like your new look too!

Sarah said...

They're awesome...good job! xxx

Ashley said...

I can relate to that teacher mentality! This is a great idea! Im making a note of this for when I have children.

Martha said...

What a great idea!!! I love it!

feather said...

great idea. beautiful tickets and clipboard. and love that blog link! thanks!

Patty said...

great idea, and wish i had some of that organization! :)
your clipboard is pretty!