Classroom Management
Classroom Strategy: C 3 B 4 Me! (See Three Before Me)
Teacher-Author: Sherry Johnson, M.Ed.
C 3 B 4 Me!
The ABC of C3
There are three distinct component of C3 (See Three), anchor chart, books and classmates.
Anchor Chart– During the teaching/learning process we create anchor charts to capture our thoughts and record our thinking. While completing an assignment, if students do not remember how to answer a question in math or the parts of a story in Reading then they may look at the anchor chart.
Books (including textbooks and notebooks) – If students checked the anchor charts and they could not find the answer to their question, then they may use a book. This include textbooks, big books/class books that we created or they may use their notebooks. It is important for notebooks to be kept updated for use as a reference.
Classmates – If students checked the anchor charts, and books and still cannot find the answer to their question they may ask a classmate for assistance. In my classroom, each student has at least three different partners. These are the partners they may ask first. They may also ask “an expert” if one exists for the topic being explored.
Success
Classroom Management Issues
With the students, I make a poster for C3 B4 Me and strategically place it next to my small group table. (I have also used a poster that was previously made on the computer, but I make sure that we discuss the poster so that the students can articulate the importance and meaning.) Next to the poster is the Ask-it Basket, so students may leave me a note while I am working with the small group. While executing this strategy, some students will be walking around the room, so they must be taught to move quickly and quietly when seeking assistance. Have clear expectations how long individuals may be out of their seats to get assistance. In my classroom, the expectation is to have only one person moving around the room. Students sit to talk and then stand and quickly return to their tables when they are through talking. By so doing, we do not have a lot of movement around the room.
How to Implement C3 B4 Me in Your Classroom
- Teach the expectation emphasizing what the ABC of C3 means
- Explain to the students that the strategy is designed to protect their learning time. You want to make sure that everyone is able to get individualized instruction by working directly with you.
- Encourage students to write their question down on sticky note if no one was able to answer it. In my classroom I have an Ask-it Basket where students could post their notes and then I was able to read and respond to the individual questions/concerns.
Materials Needed
C3 B4 Me Poster, Sticky Notes, Established Partners /Experts, Anchor Charts, Notebooks
Suggestions for Resources
See Video Presentation