The students and I both love the built-in motivation that comes from the competition aspect in this classroom management resource. I encourage students to build community by working together to "beat the teacher". I can focus on one specific rule or transition, or add points for desired behavior that my students show throughout the day. When the students need a reminder, the teacher gets a point! The students work toward a large reward by beating the teacher over a number of days, or can be given a small reward each day they beat the teacher.  I make sure to really drive home that point are earned as a team effort. I say "we either win together, or learn together".

Expectedly, I always have some students who get frustrated when another student doesn’t help the class earn a point. I use these moments as teachable moments to build classroom community and the sense that everyone is a team. Instead of blaming, use language like, “It’s okay. You tried your best, and you will get it next time.” You will naturally notice students begin to help the strugglers be successful. 

Student buy-in is key to classroom management. Getting students involved in the discussion around classroom management really supports student buy-in. Often, I ask them what they see is currently slacking. Once we've settled on some areas of growth, we discuss HOW everyone can work together to make the classroom environment back to where it was or where you want it to be. When everyone is on the same page, I introduce BINGO! We decide on one expectation to focus on. I model the expected behavior and discuss what it should look like and sound like. As a class, we vote on a reward. When students show that behavior, they earn a bingo piece. We continue until there is a "BINGO!" and students earn a prize!

As the year progresses, I increase the goal and add in additional games, like Tic-Tac-Toe, Chutes and Ladders, Battle Ship, and 4-in-a-Row. With different monthly themed management games inspired by classic board games, the students are motivated and engaged. 

For my  students with behavior factors that are beyond their control, I am mindful about how strict/lenient to be with them. Some students will retaliate for the attention factor, and for these friends I just drop them back to an individual system that mirrors the whole group system for a time (the goal is always for them to return to the whole group system). They get their own punch card, and I keep track of student/teacher points on a sticky note at the edge of their desk. If they beat me, they get a clip on their punch card, and they would work for the same goal as the class to earn their way into the class reward.

Table sparklers is a group management strategy. Anytime table groups are working well together, they earn a "sparkler". The first table group to 10 gets to spin the prize wheel for a reward. Once one group reaches 10, the game starts over! We also start over anytime table groups are moved around. After students have the concept down, we bring it up a notch by allowing groups to give other groups table points! This is not only be super fun for the students, but it helps build positive classroom community. When students notice other table groups maintaining an appropriate voice level, working collaboratively, or on task, they can give that table a sparkle! The only rule here is tables can't give themselves a sparkler, only others. Students are always super motivated to show positive behaviors to earn a point from me or another group! 

Each morning before the kids come in, I pick a random student. I write the student's name on the board, then stick my handy dandy laminated sign on top of their name. The students know whenever they see the sign on the board… I have a secret student that day! I watch the secret student all day long. Are they on task? Ready to learn? Is the student being kind? Are they participating in class discussions? Are they following school rules in and out of the classroom? Giving reminders throughout the day works wonders. For example, saying, ”Oh, I hope my secret student is following along…” totally works like a charm. At the end of the day, IF my secret student has had a good day and, in my eyes, has earned their reward, I *reveal* the name behind the sign. If not, I just say, “Sadly, my secret student didn't have the best day. We will try again tomorrow.” The class does not know who it was if the reward was not earned.

Class compliments hold my students accountable for their choices in and out of the classroom. Class compliments can only be earned when another staff member or teacher gives one to the WHOLE class! Best of all, it is my entire class working together towards a common goal. I start by introducing and modeling what a class compliment is to my students. We set a goal together on how many compliments the class needs to earn to get a reward. After our goal is set, we decide on a reward. Then we get to work! After the class receives a compliment, we write it down and display it! I let the students write the compliment! This encourages them to take ownership, and most are super excited to record it for the display. Class compliments create student buy-in and encourage positive behavior all around the school!