Monthly Q & A The Sprinkle Teaching Magic Way

Questions regarding my Classroom Management techniques come up often.  Classroom Management is a HUGE topic!  I will cover parts of my classroom management techiniques here on the blog and over on my Teaching Youtube Channel.

Today, I will talk about CEOs.  What are CEOs????

Years and years of scrapped behavior management ideas have led up to a system that is working magic in my upper elementary classroom. Student's desks are separated into groups of 6.  In years past, I used table points as a group incentive.  Teams would receive tally points for following classroom rules, productivity, transitioning quickly etc.  My table point tracking system was on the white board.  Each week I felt frustrated.  Was I giving too many points to one specific team?  Some days we were in such a frenzy I would forget to give team points altogether.  By the end of the week, I wondered if the system had meaning.  I felt pressure.  The system felt broken.  Whenever this feeling comes over me I know it is time to revamp.  I scrapped the table point system.

This year my CEO system works much better! My students apply for jobs each month.  This year I have four CEO job openings (one for each table group).  Just as the name implies, a student chosen for CEO is Chief Executive Officer of their table group.  This is a coveted job, so students must prove they are responsible to be considered for CEO.

CEOs are responsible for table points.  At the beginning of the month they make weekly tracking index cards.

Each group member's name is written on the index cards.   Throughout the day, if a student is showing exemplary behavior and effort I may say, "Johnny, point."  Quick and targeted response.  When the CEO at Johnny's table hears this, a point is immediatly tallied by Johnny's name.  Each point means the student will receive one raffle ticket.  I may also say, "everyone at Table Three receives a point for _________ (insert positive behavior)."  If a CEO hears, "Johnny, check" a check is placed by Johnny's name.  A check means two tickets are owed by the student.  For example, if a student blurts out, they recieve a check.  This happens fast, and then we move on.  We do not dwell on a negative check.  It is just a quick notice from me to adjust behavior.

At the end of the day, CEOs tally points and distribute the correct number of raffle tickets.  At the end of the week, CEOs tally points for the entire week.  The team with the most points wins and receives extra tickets.

Students collect tickets to participate in the end of the month raffle.  Students also need tickets for the bathroom and drinks of water.  Raffle tickets are the incentive and classroom curency.  I have tried a money system and decided it does not work for me.  I also tried Class Dojo.  No luck.   Raffle tickets work great!

CEO's are also responsible for making sure their team is running smoothly.  I meet with CEO's through out the month. We talk about leadership techniques such as the following: giving compliments, listenting, how to stay organized, how to talk with a peer that is frustrated or disengaged from the group.  CEO's learn and practice skills to lead small groups.  Some of my brightest students struggle with leadership.  Often, their bossy side surfaces or they lose patience when working with a struggling student.  The CEO position is an effective way to grow leaders.  Students are role models and lead by example.  The other members of the group respect their CEO.

On pay day, at the end of the month, CEO's receive a set number of tickets for a month of hard work.

I love this system and it works like magic for fifth graders.

What do I love about having a CEO at each table?

-I can be anywhere in the room or on campus with my class and give out points.  CEO's remember everything! No white board needed.  I can sit and work with a small group and give out points from where I am sitting.

 -I glance at the tally cards at the end of the day.  The cards provide instant data.

-I keep the index cards for my records.  Before a meeting with a parent I have instant behavior data to use in my notes.

-Student leadership skills are encouraged

-Students are capable of taking charge and running parts of our room.  Students take ownership, which builds community.

-The system is hands off and runs itself.  What a treat!  Current CEO's will train the CEO's for the following month.

-Students want to fit in and impress their peers.  When a student suggests a classmate should do something or encourages them,  the benefit of this interaction is the gold standard.