Points

Our classroom runs on a point system. I base it off of the Whole Brain Teaching's method of classroom management and points.  It's students vs. teacher points.  Their points are the difference between the two (e.g. If they have 5 points and I have 2 points, they have 3 points for that day). 

These points accumulate over two weeks, and then whichever two of the four classes I have that have accumulated the most points win a spin for a prize.  Prizes are things like 10 minutes free time, board game time, 5 extra points for everyone, etc.  Easy things. 

I keep track of how many times the class has won the 2-week challenges with class trains.  Each train has a different color.  If they have a "gold"/yellow car then that means they won that week. The top train is behind because that class was originally all together with the red class.  During the second week they split into two classes.

The kids are pretty motivated by the competition aspect, which is new this year. I like the little trains.  Each car represents 2 weeks.  Last week was the end of one challenge and I have yet to put those cars up.  The red and blue team won.