Students vs. Teacher Classroom Management Game

I found an idea for a classroom management tool from a blog by Sasha Long at http://theautismhelper.com/kids-v-teachers-magical-intervention/. I have begun using this classroom management tool in my own classroom with wonderful success! Having the student’s hold each other accountable and to reinforce positive behavior has begun to change the dynamics of my classroom for the better.

The game works by creating a table on the whiteboard with Students on one side and Teacher on the other. A list of rules should be made so clear classroom expectations are known, and so that the class as a whole is aware of when they will earn points for their behavior or conversely, when their behavior will earn the teacher points.

When the students are following the rules: they get a point!

When the students are not following the rules: the teacher gets a point!

At the end of the designated time period the winner gets rewarded with a chosen prize. I have also thought of adjusting the prizes to be awarded when the students earn a certain number of points, but if the teacher earns the designated amount of points first, then no reward is given to the students and points start over.

A tip from Sasha Long on her blog post mentions to verbally explain why the students are earning points in order to verbally praise and reinforce the desired behavior. I have found great success with such reinforcement, and see my students become very proud when they are one that earn all of the students a point.