About 1-2 years ago, as part of my BTSA induction, I observed an AWESOME dual immersion kinder teacher in Southern California. I'm at a loss for her name right now, but she introduced me to Bono el Mono (Bono the monkey). I had never heard of him before but now I can't spend a year without him! I am on to my 3rd Bono now. That story later.
This is the story of Bono el Mono. I don't know who the author is. If you do please share.
Bono goes to school, but breaks all the rules because he doesn't know them. He swings from the lamps, doesn't share, runs in the classroom, etc. In the end he learns the rules and follows them and his classmates are very happy with him. I believe he gets a gold star from the teacher, but in my version I think I'm missing that page :(
We have Bono in our classroom and he hangs on the easel during the day, although I think he might begin to sit with students this year. At the end of the day Bono "tells" me which student behaved the BESTEST that day so that he can go home with them. Bono goes home with that student in a bag with a journal with directions for parents to write about everything that they do together. Click here to get the directions.
The first year I had no problems with Bono returning to school, but the 2nd year . . . . . Bono was stolen :( The family he went home with went to the store. The student tried on shoes and another little boy asked to see Bono. While my student tried on his shoes the other boy (with his mother . . . hmmmm) "disappeared" so mom brought us another Bono.
Last summer I went to the zoo and saw our current Bono and had to buy it. He was almost lost last year as well because my student took him to the store and was playing with him by throwing him up in the air. He threw him so high he got stuck on a fan. Luckily, they got him down.
Bono has had many adventures. Of course, once in a while (every month) Bono goes home with me to "take a bath" and I take pictures of what we do together. The kids love this! Those with the resources to do this also take pictures and paste them to the page. This makes it so much more real.
Bono helping me grade writing assessments.
Bono getting ready to eat like my baby :)
Bono listening to the sermon.
.Bono singing hymns at church on Sabbath.
I read Bono el Mono to the kids every day for a month! Some get sick of it, but they sure do memorize it. Having the chance to take Bono home really helps kids be on their best behavior. Some students think it's not real and that I just rotate who takes Bono home, but I've sent Bono home with the same student many days in a row. Some poor souls don't get to take Bono home for months! But oh when they do . . . yay!!!! We ALL make a big deal out of it and it helps turn their behavior around for the best.
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