I've been using the scoreboard for four days and it has literally changed the way I will teach forever. I couldn't believe that such a simple tool could so drastically alter the way that I run my classroom.I have always thought that I had good classroom management. I've taken bits and pieces from books, conversations with other teachers, journal articles, conferences, etc., and managed to run my classroom pretty smoothly without any major issues. There were some days, however, where the last bell of the day would ring and I would flop down in my chair exhausted. After answering the same question over and over and over, or talking to the same students about their bad behavior, I had no energy left. These days didn't happen very often, but having these kinds of days at all was not acceptable to me. I've always believed that I can get better, and this was an area of focus for me.
After stumbling across WBT, and reading about the fundamentals, I was unsure that these ideas could really work in a middle school. I am so very glad that I decided to give them a try. Using the scoreboard in conjunction with the class-yes for only four days has made me a believer.
My students earn points for following directions quickly, giving a good "yes" as part of class-yes, or doing anything else well that I believe earns a point. I earn points whenever the students don't follow directions quickly, don't give a good "yes", etc. I've been careful to never allow the score to have a score deficit greater than three so as not to lose motivation. Mighty groans (one second parties that occur after I get a point) help to refocus negative behavior without me having to do anything negative! Instead of using proximity, eye contact, or any of the other teacher tricks we've all used a million times, all I have to do it walk up to the scoreboard and act like I'm grabbing a marker, and the STUDENTS redirect EACH OTHER.
My students are not only buying in, but are prompting each other! Each and every class period I've heard students reminding each other to be quiet, to take out materials, to follow the directions! Instead of saying things multiple times, I've given them motivation to listen the first time. I've given them motivation to stop talking the instant I say, "Class". And the best part is...I haven't even been using the more/less homework or free time part of the scoreboard. It's just been for "bragging rights".
Now if that isn't teacher heaven, I don't know what is. It's still early in the year, but I am so hopeful that using the variations and levels explained on the WBT website will help my students stay motivated to be 100% engaged and on task all year long.
Don't you just LOVE the scoreboard! I know exactly what you mean about wondering if it will work with older students but the truth is, it does! It is great to have students redirecting each other and working together as opposed to the teacher having to consistently redirect. I'm impressed you haven't been using rewards with your scoreboard and are using bragging rights instead, thats awesome! WBT always says make sure you have stuff in your back pocket and by not introducing the "rewards" part right at the beginning you will have something new to introduce later if it is needed. Great job!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes with everything!
Miss L (WBT Blog Bug)
Miss L's Whole Brain Teaching
That seals it Meador! I have my scoreboard up and introduced, but I haven't yet put it into action. I'm embarrassed to admit that I let it go to the wayside and let my curriculum "get in the way".
ReplyDeleteThe scoreboard begins TOMORROW! lol
Tell me how it goes Weber! :)
DeleteCould someone please give me tips on how to use the scoreboard with multiple classes each day?
ReplyDeleteKatherine,
ReplyDeleteI have multiple classes, and have one scoreboard on my board that I use for each class. When a class hour starts, I erase last hour's score and start fresh. If I am doing a cumulative score for the week, I transfer the point different to my Scoreboard iPad app. SO if a class wins by 1,I give them 1 point on my Scoreboard app. Most weeks though, the game ends when class ends, so I don't need to worry about recording points for the week. I start that later in the year when they need more motivation. I hope that helps!
Hi, I stumbled across WBT this summer and decided to give it a try. This is my first year in middle school and I have so many questions!! Do you use the same levels listed on the WBT website? If so do your classes all stay on the same level or will some move to the next level before others. If you are moving them up every ten wins it seems like they won't stay together for very long. If you're not moving them to new levels every ten wins what are they working towards? I like the idea of not needing lotteries, tickets, small trinkets etc.
ReplyDeleteHi, I stumbled across WBT this summer and decided to give it a try. This is my first year in middle school and I have so many questions!! Do you use the same levels listed on the WBT website? If so do your classes all stay on the same level or will some move to the next level before others. If you are moving them up every ten wins it seems like they won't stay together for very long. If you're not moving them to new levels every ten wins what are they working towards? I like the idea of not needing lotteries, tickets, small trinkets etc.
ReplyDelete