Motivator 2: 5th-12th Scoreboard Game

Written by Jeff Battle

Jeff Battle, Director, North Carolina Power Teachers

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For older learners there is a slightly different approach that works really well. Instead of smiley vs, frowny we go to a much more motivating contest- Teacher vs. Student!

Just like in the other version on one side of your board you are going to draw a grid. The grid will be divided into two columns. In the top box of one the word TEACHER, in the top box of the other STUDENTS.

During class you will be rewarding a mark in the Student section for procedures performed well. When you reward them with a mark in the student section for their performance, just like the smiley-frowny game, you can involve the kids in a really fun way. Walk to the board, raise your chalk or marker, or stylus, and address the class.

“One second party!” You proclaim enthusiastically. Make a mark in the smiley section then point to the students. To this they respond by clapping and throwing their hands in the air and yelling “Oh, Yeah!”

However, if the students do not listen, and follow instructions you do not have to fuss at anyone! You just look at the non-compliant students and say “Thank you very much! That was a point for ME!”

You walk to the board and add a mark the Teacher column. Loudly proclaim, “Mighty Groan!” and point to the class. They must lift and then drop their shoulders and groan loudly! Since they are getting to make noise in class it is usually nearly as enthusiastic as the one second party (or Mighty Oh, Yeah!)

In this way you have a “game” in which student cannot rebel effectively. Rebellion only results in a point for the dreaded Teacher.  You are either playing for the students and getting a reward, or not following instructions and playing for the dreaded Teacher's Team, and losing some reward.

Note that there is no punishment. You do not assign extra homework, or take anything else away. They just lose a privilege they were working for.

One thing you must understand from the start is that you should not let the difference between the number of Student and Teacher points get greater than three. If you over reward they will stop working for it. If you let them get too far in the hole they will quit trying to win the reward. That is the reason for the +-3 rule.

Student and Teacher points will build quickly at first, but fall off as they get better at procedures.

There are a couple of things you need to keep in mind here.

First, the entire purpose of this is to reinforce positive behavior in a fun, upbeat positive environment. Second, while this method will work for most of your kids, there are always those few who will not buy into this.

Check out the supplemental parts on the GUFF COUNTER.