Do you ever feel like as soon as your class leaves the door, so does their behavior? You have systems in place to manage behavior inside the classroom, but what about outside of it? That's where class compliments come in!
Why Class Compliments?
Class compliments hold your students accountable for their choices in and out of the classroom. I know what you're probably thinking, “…but I already give my students compliments!” Here's the twist, class compliments can only be earned when another staff member or teacher gives one to the WHOLE class!
That's right! Classroom compliments are compliments given by other adults in the school, and they are effective and super easy to implement! Best of all, it is your entire class working together towards a common goal.
How are class compliments managed?
Start by introducing and modeling what a class compliment is to your students! Morning meeting is a great time to have this conversation with your students. Here are some ideas to talk about in your meeting:
What is a compliment?
Class compliments are praise given to the entire class when everyone is following expectations. Talk about what compliments look like and sound like and give some examples! Compliments may sound like, “Wow! Ms./Mr. _____'s class, you are doing an awesome job walking down the hallway silently!” Make it very clear what a compliment is so that there is no confusion and your class can quickly meet their goal!
How can the class earn the compliment?
Discuss with your students how they can earn a compliment. What are your school's hallway expectations? What are the expectations in the cafeteria? What are the expectations at specials? Talking about the expectations in each area of the school will set your students up to receive praise everywhere they go!
Where can the class earn the compliment?
Anywhere! Students can earn compliments at recess, in specials, in the hallway, in the cafeteria, and even in the classroom. The compliment just has to come from another adult!
Set a Goal to Work Towards
Before you get started, set a goal together on how many compliments the class needs to earn to get a reward. Usually, ten compliments is a good place to start, but do what works for your class! Ten is attainable but also adds a little challenge because the compliment has to come from another adult. This will motivate them to keep working hard for that praise!
After your goal is set, decide on a reward. Brainstorm ideas together as a class that they would like to work towards and vote, or prizes can be a surprise! Some ideas of rewards to use:
- Secret scratch offs
- QR Codes
- Extra Recess
- Tech Time
Now that your class knows what they are working towards and what a class compliment is, it is time to earn those compliments! This management strategy will help your students shine anywhere in the school.
Positive Effects of Class Compliments
One of the most important parts of classroom management is student buy-in. Students are more likely to be engaged if they are actively involved. After the class receives a compliment, write it down and display it! Let students write the compliment! This encourages them to take ownership, and most are super excited to record it for the display.
After it is displayed, it is super easy to keep track of all those compliments, and students will get more and more excited the closer they get to their goal! This is a really great way of managing behaviors and expectations with your entire class. Class compliments create student buy-in and encourage positive behavior all around the school!
More Classroom Management Tips
Looking for more classroom management tips? Consider Classroom Management Academy to transform your classroom management. It is an online course you can take from the comfort of your home!
This self-paced program will help you learn how to maximize classroom time, foster independent learners, and create a positive learning environment. It is a complete roadmap of strategies, PDF downloads, live weekly Q & As, and TONS more bonuses to help you and your students!
Pin this image to revisit this post later!
Leave a Comment