A classroom can be an unruly environment. A classroom without a management system is a classroom destine for perpetually rowdy behavior. Management systems provide rewards for students who comply with rules, perform well, and who are overall model students. The management system doesn’t always punish those who aren’t acting properly, though. The hope is that those disobedient few will see their well-behaved peers receiving rewards and will be motivated to follow suit. Each classroom is different. One system of management may work perfectly for one teacher but fall totally apart for another. The following list describes several management systems.
- Star System: This idea is very basic and can be renamed to fit the theme of the classroom as well as the age of the students within. A large poster can be put on the board with a section for each student. When the student does something good — help a fellow student with an activity, perform well on an assignment, or offer to pass out papers — the student will receive a star on the board. Stars can also be removed for bad behavior.
- Big Bucks: For older classrooms where money is important to the students, try a Big Bucks system. Hand out pre-made dollars when students do well. Students will see their peers holding a big wad of cash and jealousy will arise. They will want to do well so they can also flaunt their spoils. It’s important not to take these dollars away for bad behavior, though. That could cause conflict.
- Achievement Tree: This system may work less for managing the classroom and more for encouraging high success. Each good grade is a leaf on a branch with the student’s name on it. The Achievement Tree is meant to make the student proud of his work.
- Sticker Book: A sticker book is a good way to help students track their own behaviors. A log with days of the week will show when the student has been good or bad. They can receive stickers in the book when their behavior is acceptable or they help someone out.