Classroom Management: English Points
So, last time we talked about classroom rules. Today I’m going to tell about the system of punishment for breaking those rules. Every day at the beginning of class I write the letters ENGL on the blackboard.
During the lesson if students misbehave I’ll erase a letter. They hate that. You should hear the wails and moans when one of those letters disappears. If by the end of class there are no letters on the blackboard the class takes a dictation test. If however they do something extraordinary as a class I will add a letter. At the end of the class I roll a die and whatever number comes up is the number of letters they get to complete the word ENGLISH (including exclamation marks). When that happens they earn an English point. Thirty points earns the class a video party at the end of the semester.
This technique was being used by the native teacher at my school and I quickly adopted it. It really keeps the kids focused on that long term goal of a party and it keeps them motivated to earn more points and keep track of how many they have and how many more they need.
Next up, you’ll need a way to regain control of a class about to spiral out of control and warn the students quickly that they’re getting perilously close to losing a point. Stay tuned!
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Excellent, My sister is really excited about it so I’ll have to keep you updated with her progress come September!!
Enjoy!
Chrissy: Thanks for the kind words and the tip! I’ll definitely check out the wolfpack!
This is a great technique.
A teacher of mine did the exact same thing… not sure if it was for English or not. But it really does help.
I read one of my sisters books she just got called, The Wolf Pack Classroom Management Plan by Janis Gioia.
My sister is an elementary school teacher. She’s starting a new school year in September (obviously) so she can’t wait to use what she learned from this book.
I’m sure you are a high school teacher, it doesn’t seem like you need any more ways to manage your students. But maybe you could pass along to other teachers… and I will stay tuned! Keep up the great teaching!