Using Group Points As a Class Management Tool

One of the most important skills any teacher can have is the ability to manage students’ noisy behavior during a lesson. A rowdy classroom can be a nightmare, and even experienced teachers may struggle to “calm the storm”. Like with most problems in life, having the right set of strategies can resolve and improve the situation.

The teacher in front of her students. Image from www.canva.com

Over the years, I have successfully used group points as a way to maintain order in the classroom. I have even been able to gamify it a bit, to the point that students literally beg me to play it every time we study. Awarding or deducting points from the whole group due to individual members’ behavior ensures accountability. Here is my favorite classroom management activity.

Kill or Save?

Before the start of the class, I put students into groups of four. I have twenty-four students in my classroom, so there are six groups in total. I write the group numbers on the corner of the whiteboard. Then, I draw four stickmen next to each group to represent each member. I explain to the class: “ If you answer or ask a question during the class, you gain one superpower. You can use this power to kill one person on the other team. You may also use it to resurrect (save) a

teammate who has been killed previously. As a rule, any noisy or unattentive group will have one member killed by the teacher every time they distract the class. At the end of the class, the group with the most members still alive wins.”

Kill or Save Group Points. Image from www.canva.com

After explaining the rules, I tell the class that the winners will have the privilege of leaving the class first, and the last group, well, will leave last. Students in the last group will also have to clean the board and turn off the lights and air conditioners before they leave. This activity keeps the classroom noise-free and also increases students’ engagement during my lessons. They are more willing to answer and ask thoughtful questions. It’s amazing ( and funny ) to see students trying to quiet their teammates on their own in order not to lose the competition. Students learn the lesson that any individual behavior ( positive or negative ) can affect their group’s chances of survival.

A common question I usually get is, “ Teacher, can I save a student from the other team?” or “ Can I kill someone from my own team?”. The second question sounds weird, right? But believe it or not, I get asked quite often. I explain that they cannot save students from other groups or kill members of their team.

This activity has been my number one classroom management tool. I don’t have to yell anymore. I don’t have to spend valuable time and energy trying to manage individual students’ attitudes during my lessons. I can now focus on what matters: helping them learn the lesson of the day. I encourage you to try it out. I am confident it will transform the atmosphere in your class into one that is orderly, exciting, and fun.

Please note: Some students, teachers, and classrooms around the world may not be comfortable with the term “ Kill” due to personal experiences. Only use this strategy if you see it appropriate in your own unique context.

 I would love to know what classroom management activities you use in your classroom. Please share in the comment section.