I teach Government and Oklahoma History to 9th graders. I take 3 grades a week: classwork, quiz grade, and test grade. I usually take about 5-7 days on a chapter. I do not assign much homework because the students will not do it; we get that type of work done in class. I want to start using Whole Brain Teaching but I have some questions concerning the scoreboard game. I will use the teacher vs student grid to give and take away marks. My question is what will be the motivation for my students to do this? What is it that they are going to gain from following the rules? Since I don't give much homework, the motivation would not be to decrease their homework assignment. Does my question make sense? Thank you for suggestions and insight.

I have the same 9th grade "no homework because it won't get done" scoreboard dilemma, and right now, I'm not using the scoreboard at all (which I realized was a mistake and will be corrected when we return from Spring Break, just after the Whole Brain Teaching conference!). It's come to the point where even though I really don't have space on the one teeny, tiny dry-erase board which is behind my lab table, but I'll make the space and jump over my desk to get the 40 freshmen to stay on-task all day, every day.

I'm planning to use the scoreboard to give them an incentive other than less homework, like everyone gets extra credit by how many points they beat me (which will never be more than 3 points per day, because the scoreboard is always within 3 points) or some days they get a jolly rancher candy (if all goes well, I'll be broke, but have well-behaved classes) or maybe give them 5 minutes of iPod time during bellwork the next day (which they really really want and I really really don't). On the days I win, they get no extra credit, no candy, or they listen to what's on my iPod (which had been adjusted to include the "musical appreciation" genres).

I'm leaning toward the extra credit for winning the scoreboard, but I don't feel their grade should be based on behavior at all (I don't grade on participation either). However, it's free and it's something they want and need, so it sounds like a good incentive.

I don't remember what's supposed to happen if I tie the students for points?

Looking forward to other ideas for freshmen scoreboard ideas on the forum and at the conference next weekend!

Hi P-tfootball,
I teach high school math to 10th-12th grade students. There are a lot of rewards you can give to students if they win the scoreboard game. I suggest extra credit, pick-your-own seat day, listen to music for 5 minutes, jolly ranchers. My personal favorite reward is to let them earn a "star" for their test. I give a test or quiz every Friday. Say one class won 2 "stars" and another class won 3 "stars" throughout the week. On their test, they are allowed to put a star next to 2 or 3 questions (depending on how many they earned that week) and they will automatically get those questions correct even if they do nothing. I just make sure that I put 2 or 3 extra hard questions (that would normally be bonus-type questions) to counteract the fact that I know they have their free "stars." The kids like this reward because they think it is raising their test grade which is a large percentage of their grade in my classes. I like the reward because it's FREE! Well, I hope you find these suggestions to be both helpful and successful.
~Kristin

Have you tried Mind Soccer? My kids really enjoy playing and some weeks they work all week long to earn time to play Mind Soccer. You can find the directions in the download area...

We often use the scoreboard to do Quiz vs. Game If I win, I get to be "evil" and give a quiz.. if they win then they get to play a game. The games always review something we have done in class, I have a collection of games they love to play. Let me know if you need any other game ideas..

We often use the scoreboard to do Quiz vs. Game If I win, I get to be "evil" and give a quiz.. if they win then they get to play a game. The games always review something we have done in class, I have a collection of games they love to play. Let me know if you need any other game ideas..

Great idea! I would be very interested in any other game ideas you might have. I plan to use Mind Soccer and in the past I have used Jeopardy successfully for review. I teach middle school social studies.

Also, I have a question about the scoreboard. If it, as we know, is rigged, then won't the students eventually figure out that we will never let them get either 3 pts ahead or behind? Will that lessen the motivation and anticipation for them - and hence, their continued buying into the concept? Thanks!

I am at school tomorrow, and my game files are saved there, I will try to email them to you tomorrow...

Here's what I do about the "rigged game" - I keep a chart on the board of everyones scores for the week. I let the scores vary, all week long and then usually they come out equal in the end. Every once in awhile - always very early on in the year, I let it falter a little bit, at the end of the week, one class might have to take a quiz, or only one class might get to play the game.

Occasionally I let them play for other rewards also, like choosing their seats - some classes never get to do that all year long, some do... it keeps them guessing!

At the end of the week when you are playing a game, taking a quiz, or whatever reward that they earn (or not), do you still use the scoreboard for behavior management? If so, how do you work that in - if essentially the game has already been either won or lost for the week? Thanks!

Hi Ladyhoosier,
I do not use the scoreboard game on Fridays. I almost always give a quiz or test on Fridays, so I don't have big management issues those days. However, you will find that even without the scoreboard, if you say "Class" they will still respond with "Yes" on a Friday because it becomes instinctive for them to do so!
~Kristin

Hi Sara,

I'd love to get a copy of your games, too. Thanks.

GAMES!!!

Finally - when I get to school, my mind fills with all the things I have to do, and I have been forgetting to pick up this file. Attached are a list of classroom review games I use. There is another game I use, called Climb the Mountain, and I would have to send you an actual copy of the game, and my notes - let me know if you need it, I use it to review for tests.

Let me know if you need clarifiaction, these are just games I have accumulated from all over...

Sara,

These games look great! I do have a question about "Sink a Smartypants." Is there an active and fun, yet safe, way to "sink" someone on the other team or rescue a team member back?

Thanks! No hurry on a response. I completely understand the busyness of this time of year. I got moved into a different classroom at school. Nice change, but not a job for the faint-hearted!

My teams get together, all say the name (of the player being sunk) at once, and then tell the other team "In your face!!" and the team who is losing a player groans. If they decided to save someone, the team gets together - all say the name at once and then do a one second party.

Let me know if you have any ideas for changing it up I am always up for a suggestion!

SReeves;

I tried to click on your games link, but I got an error message. I'm really interested in other games you may have already created.

Thanks!

Sara,
I tried to click on the games link and got an error message as esnover did. I am also interested in the games. Can you help me out.

Thanks

I too can't seem to get to the games. Any assistance would be appreciated.

I have one game that my 7th graders love. It is the "Game of 21" All students pair up with a partner. One starts counting...they can say one number or two numbers, the the other player can also say one number or two numbers. They count till they get to 21...Whoever lands on 21 is the winner. I have the winners come to the front of the class and pair up and keep eliminating until there is only one winner. I have cut papers stars and put their name on the star and place on a big circle (Winner's Circle) on the front board. This is a quick game - Five minutes usually.

Could you email me a copy of those games? I would really appreciate it. I couldn't get them at the link porivded.

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Thanks!

Ali