Classroom Management Systems: Part 3

 

In my previous article, I described the second of my classroom management systems called, "The Class vs. Mr. Harrison Game." In this final article on classroom management systems, I'm going to describe another system I developed that motivates my students to behave, and to put forth their best effort in school. This one is called "The Weekly Section Winner."

Directions for Setting Up the Game

First, divide your class up into three sections. Let's say your class sits in six table groups. Assign two of the groups to be section one, two of the groups to be section two, and two of the groups to be section three. If your desks are in rows, simply assign each of the rows a section number. A U-shaped classroom can be divided into the three sections of the U. My point is, no matter what the seating arrangement in your room, you can find a way to divide the class into thirds and assign them a section number. Through lots of trial and error, I have found that three sections works best. 

Along the upper left-hand side of the whiteboard, write down the numbers one, two, and three. This is where you will place daily tally marks.

In the bottom left-hand corner of the whiteboard, draw a box that is divided by two vertical lines, and three horizontal lines. Above the first space along the top of the box, write the word "Day." Above the second space along the top of the box, write the word "Section." In the spaces created by the horizontal lines along the left hand side of the box, put a letter that stands for the first four days of the week - M, T, W, Th.  Like so:

Day   Section

M

T

W

Th

This is where you record which section won each day.

Premise of the Game as a Classroom Management System

Catch the kids being good as often as you can, and publicly praise them for it! I really do believe in this classroom management principle, and this game is all about recognizing good behavior and good effort, and awarding a small, but highly desired prize to the winning section at the end of each week. This is especially good for reinforcing routine behavior, like punctuality, self-control, and completing school or homework.

Awarding Points 

My method of keeping track of all the good things that happen in each section during each day is using tally marks. For example, a few minutes after everyone enters the room in the morning, I simply award one tally mark to each person who has arrived at school on time. There are usually about nine students in each of the sections, so after the first 10 minutes of school, each section will have up to nine tally marks next to their section number. Sometimes I'll go over to the homework box and collect the pile of homework, then award a tally mark to each person who turned in their homework. Now, some of the sections already have 18 tally marks next to their number. During the morning, we may play a game of spelling bingo, and I'll award five tally marks to the winner, three tally marks to the second place section, and one tally mark to the third place section. During SSR time, I'll award two tally marks to the section that did the best job of quietly reading for 10 minutes. If we have a game of Silent Ball (a really fun game to play right before lunch), I'll again award five, three, or one tally marks to each section based on the final score. During science, I'll roll dice and ask whichever section number that the die comes up on a question regarding our current unit of study. If they get it correct, their section gets some tally marks. If they miss it, I roll the die again and ask another section the same question. If someone says something kind, or does something nice for a member of the class, that person may earn some tally marks for their section. 

Tabulating at the End of the Day

With all of these ways to earn tally marks, each section can have numerous marks by the end of the day. I keep the policy that tally marks can never be taken away once they've been awarded. Just before school gets out for the day, I circle the section number that has the most tally marks, and put that section's number next to the day of the week in the Section Box. They are pronounced the winning section for that day. After school, the tally marks are erased, and everyone starts with a clean slate the next school day.

The Friday Twist

On Friday morning, before the kids come in, I take a look at who the winning sections were for the first four days of the week. Every time a section's number appears in the Section Box, I award three bonus tally marks next to their section number. Let's say Section 1 was the winner on Monday and Thursday, I put six tally marks next to their number on the board. If Section 2 was the winner on Wednesday, they get three tally marks. So, before the class even arrives, their sections have earned tally marks as a reward for their good behavior during the week. 

On Friday afternoon, just before dismissal, the section that has the most tally marks is deemed the weekly section winner. Everyone in that section is awarded one of the most coveted prizes any teacher can bestow upon their students - a Hershey's Kiss! It has been a constant source of amazement to me how much one little Hershey's Kiss can mean to a kid. It provides a simple, inexpensive, tasty, and meaningful reward. They will work very hard together during the week to get that Hershey's Kiss!

Keeping a Positive Outlook

One of the things I like best about this system is that it keeps me focused on the positive things that are happening in the classroom. By publicly keeping track of and recording the good things happening in your classroom, you are letting your pupils know that you will recognize them for good behavior and effort. Thus, you will begin to see a lot more effort toward good behavior and consistent school habits, like timeliness and completion of homework. I hope you give this system a try. I believe you will enjoy it once you incorporate it into your classroom management plan. Just make sure to have enough Hershey's Kisses on hand each Friday afternoon!