When I began my teaching career, I struggled. The students in my science classes needed more support than I felt I could provide, my lessons were not that strong, and my classroom management was not effective. I felt like I spent my whole day telling students what not to do and dealing out consequences. At the end of the day, I was drained. I knew that in order to be an effective teacher, I had to find a way to motivate students that didn’t rely on consequences.

Because I teach middle school, I decided to start a contest among the sections of students that I teach. Not only would this motivate individual students to be on task, but it would also encourage students to help their peers do the right thing. The contest relies on the class as a whole — not the individuals in it — so it also builds a sense of pride and community among the students.

I devote a corner of my classroom to the class contest. Each class has a plastic cup hanging on the wall. When students are on task and doing the right thing, I put a craft pom-pom into the cup. This continues for a month, and the class with the most class points at the end of the month earns a reward. The next month, the contest starts again, giving each class an opportunity to show off and become the science class of the month.

While the idea of a class contest is not necessarily something new, there are a few reasons why this strategy and particular implementation of it work for my classroom:

1. The setup provides a visual for students.

Students are able to track how their class is doing in the class contest all the time. The use of the cups and the action of physically adding something to them help make the concept of a point tangible for students. Students are clear on where they stand and how their class compares to the others in their grade at all times.

2. The structure is subjective.

My favorite aspect of the class contest is that it is so subjective. It is important to have equitable opportunities for various classes to earn points, but the reasons they earn points can vary greatly. It allows me to help each class focus on the little things that can increase instructional time and really improve the classroom environment.

In some classes, this means that points are given for everyone coming in and beginning their Do Now right away. In other classes, this means that points are given for following directions or having everyone come prepared. The structure allows me the flexibility to make the contest meaningful for the goals of each of my classes.

3. The focus shifts to something positive.

I am spending less time dealing with consequences and more time concentrating on what students are doing really well. The classroom contest forces me to look for the things in my classroom that are working for students and adding to a strong classroom culture. It helps me frame my thinking and my feedback to students in a way that is positive.

4. The students are able to take ownership of the classroom culture.

The class contest allows students to be recognized for their positive actions, and it encourages students to become leaders for their peers. It is not uncommon to see students sharing a pen or pencil or encouraging one another to begin work on their Do Now so that the class can earn a point. Because the focus is on the entire class and not on the individual, the students look to support one another and work together to earn a point.

The culture in my classroom has shifted to the students. The contest empowers them to take ownership of how their class looks, acts and feels.

5. The results are great!

My students have embraced the contest. I have worked at two different schools since I have started using the class contest as a motivational strategy, and students in both schools have really enjoyed the opportunity the class contest provides them. Many students have even asked their other teachers to start a contest for other classes as well.

The contest has helped me surmount my initial struggles to motivate students and maintain order in the classroom. It is also fun and keeps the classroom a place where students can take pride in their accomplishments and be celebrated for them.