6 Behavior Management Strategies for Schools

Behavior management is a plan or set of actions that a teacher utilizes to ensure an optimal learning environment.
By 
Jordan Pruitt
 | 
April 6, 2022

You're observing a new teacher. The lesson plan is on point. They have the room set up for a great activity. The learning targets are clear and they are ready to TEACH! They have included everything. Real-world connections, learning extensions, and even created a fun exit slip where the big idea of the day can be applied to solve a real-life problem. What could go wrong? 

Well, unfortunately, that answer is a lot could go wrong! 

There are 30 variables that may or may not cooperate with those plans, and success rides on how well your teacher can manage those variables. What are they? They are the students! 

Their behavior can make or break a perfect lesson, and how well your staff can manage the room will determine how much learning can be accomplished. Enter behavior management.

What is Behavior Management?

Behavior management is a plan or set of actions that a teacher can utilize to ensure students have an optimal learning environment. In other words, behavior management focuses on creating conditions for the lesson to succeed.

Now, what needs to happen (or not happen) to create those conditions? Keep reading to learn some proven behavior management strategies.

Behavior Management Strategies

1. Set the routine.

Emphasize the importance of routines to your staff. The class should have a rhythm or flow to it that is expected and known by students. 

Invest some time early in the year on teaching kids how to do school. It may seem redundant or obvious, but it will pay dividends and save you time throughout the semester. 

This goes beyond the classroom as well. Teach students how to transition between rooms, proper cafe etiquette, and how to properly behave during events such as assemblies or pep rallies. This is a staple of PBIS best practices and a good PBIS program.

2. Establish clear expectations.

Does the lesson require something different than a normal routine? Your teachers need to be very clear and upfront about what it is they need students to do. 

A Science teacher needs to be a pro at this one as they often have supplies involved in lessons. 

By setting clear expectations you aren’t just setting the tone for a smooth lesson, you're ensuring a safe lesson as well. Consider modeling this during faculty and staff meetings. 

Put expectations on the projector and take great care to explain the how and why of things to your staff.

3. Build relationships.

This one is the secret sauce of good classrooms and great schools. We need to invest in kids. Not monetarily, but in positive behavior supports. Think of it as deposits toward your culture. 

Greeting students at the door is easy. Offer a fist bump, or a handshake, or at least air five! Say their name. This one is a big one, people relate well to other people who state their name. Make it your mission to learn one thing about each of your students. Use that knowledge! Ask them how soccer went last Saturday, or when the first night of the new school play is, or if they are excited about the new video game release. 

It doesn’t matter what, but they will take note that you remember and care enough to ask. A good rule to live by here is that we need to strive for 5 positive interactions for every redirect. Students will have bad days. 

Your ability to help them through that and to re-engage in the lesson or the day is going to largely depend on how well you built that relationship on the good days before. Invest wisely.

4. Focus on proximity over volume.

When a student appears to be off task, how do you redirect? Do you even need to? The simplest way to get a student back on track is often just by closing the distance between you and the student's desk. 

Put this in your teachers' toolbox to avoid dealing with power struggle referrals. This is a subtle social cue to the student that the teacher is aware they are off task, and for most students, they will correct this themselves. 

Obviously, this won’t cure all ills, but it is the least impactful place to start. 

Set the room so they can move about easily. Teachers need to be mobile during the lesson (get their steps in!). Active supervision means being active in the room. This also allows them to redirect a student 1v1 instead of in front of the entire group. This is much more likely to result in a positive result. 

As a principal or a school leader, we need to model this. Be mobile during the day, talking to students and building rapport so you can redirect without creating more issues than already exist.

5. Engage all students.

Emphasize to your staff that ALL means ALL when it comes to our kids. We need to strive to reach all our students. Find ways to keep all students engaged in the class. Have a system for calling on students to answer questions. 

Sometimes this comes rather naturally, sometimes you need a specific system. Either way, be intentional. 

If a student knows they may be called on to answer or go to the board and solve a problem they are more likely to be engaged in the learning. There are many ways to keep everyone involved at once as well. 

Technology has made this seamless in the classroom as you can create digital polls or message boards that everyone can respond to. Once again model this behavior in your building, go out of your way to include students in school events that aren’t normally highlighted. 

6. Praise.

Praise the behaviors you want to see more of. Thank students for having materials out and ready on the bell. Thank students for using appropriate procedures. Praise will be noticed and internalized. 

When I had a class that was less likely to throw hands up to answer questions I always pulled out a big bag of Jolly Ranchers to toss out for those who participated in the discussion. Have fun with it, and there is no age limit to having fun in the classroom. My seniors loved the Jolly Rancher discussions just as much as my 8th graders did. Maybe more so! 

As a school leader, I do this all day long. My goal is to not walk by a student without creating a positive interaction. A simple “thank you” for following our school-wide expectations accompanied by a “good morning” goes a long way in creating fidelity in your systems.

Behavior Management & Your School

These are all strategies that will help your teachers maintain an organized and productive classroom environment as well as positive school culture. I want to leave you with a couple of thoughts that are sometimes overlooked with behavior management concerns. 

The first of which is the room itself. When you are conducting walkthroughs in classrooms, are you considering the space? Is the physical layout conducive to success? Can you move about the room freely? Are the seating charts well thought out? Is the hall pass a little too convenient to access? Can you see all students at all times? Can they see the teacher and the board? 

Every room is a little different. Spend some time thinking through your classroom management strategies how you and the students will move through the room. The best advice for this is to try and sit in the room as a student would. Try to access the things they need, can you do so without causing a disruption? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

This is a great way to assist new teachers, as this is a concept that isn’t taught in teacher preparation programs but veteran teachers have often mastered it.

The last thing I want to leave you with is the redirection itself. How does your staff get a group back on track once they have swerved off course? Do they wait for them? Do they use the give me 5 methods? Do they have a special clap? They need an attention-getter – and one that won’t cause more negative interactions than necessary. 

It doesn’t really matter what it is, as long as students are familiar with what it is and what it means. Include the redirection method in your expectations and routines!

Be creative with this, make it yours, or let students help you come up with something they agree they will respond to. The more student ownership in the routines the better because the best classrooms and schools function as a small community would. 

When they take responsibility for that community your academic ceiling will rise dramatically. If your new to behavior management you should take a look at our database of Behavior Rubric examples or our many resources on how to start your PBIS program.

Subscribe via Email

Receive the best school culture resources monthly to inspire your planning.

6 Behavior Management Strategies for Schools

Behavior management is a plan or set of actions that a teacher utilizes to ensure an optimal learning environment.
By 
Jordan Pruitt
 | 
April 6, 2022
You're observing a new teacher. The lesson plan is on point. They have the room set up for a great activity. The learning targets are clear and they are ready to TEACH! They have included everything. Real-world connections, learning extensions, and even created a fun exit slip where the big idea of the day can be applied to solve a real-life problem. What could go wrong?

You're observing a new teacher. The lesson plan is on point. They have the room set up for a great activity. The learning targets are clear and they are ready to TEACH! They have included everything. Real-world connections, learning extensions, and even created a fun exit slip where the big idea of the day can be applied to solve a real-life problem. What could go wrong? 

Well, unfortunately, that answer is a lot could go wrong! 

There are 30 variables that may or may not cooperate with those plans, and success rides on how well your teacher can manage those variables. What are they? They are the students! 

Their behavior can make or break a perfect lesson, and how well your staff can manage the room will determine how much learning can be accomplished. Enter behavior management.

What is Behavior Management?

Behavior management is a plan or set of actions that a teacher can utilize to ensure students have an optimal learning environment. In other words, behavior management focuses on creating conditions for the lesson to succeed.

Now, what needs to happen (or not happen) to create those conditions? Keep reading to learn some proven behavior management strategies.

Behavior Management Strategies

1. Set the routine.

Emphasize the importance of routines to your staff. The class should have a rhythm or flow to it that is expected and known by students. 

  • How does class start? 
  • Do students know how to transition between segments of class? 
  • Do they understand routines for asking for supplies or hall passes or if they need help? 

Invest some time early in the year on teaching kids how to do school. It may seem redundant or obvious, but it will pay dividends and save you time throughout the semester. 

This goes beyond the classroom as well. Teach students how to transition between rooms, proper cafe etiquette, and how to properly behave during events such as assemblies or pep rallies. This is a staple of PBIS best practices and a good PBIS program.

2. Establish clear expectations.

Does the lesson require something different than a normal routine? Your teachers need to be very clear and upfront about what it is they need students to do. 

A Science teacher needs to be a pro at this one as they often have supplies involved in lessons. 

  • How will they get those? 
  • Who will get them? 
  • What can they do with them…what can’t they? 

By setting clear expectations you aren’t just setting the tone for a smooth lesson, you're ensuring a safe lesson as well. Consider modeling this during faculty and staff meetings. 

Put expectations on the projector and take great care to explain the how and why of things to your staff.

3. Build relationships.

This one is the secret sauce of good classrooms and great schools. We need to invest in kids. Not monetarily, but in positive behavior supports. Think of it as deposits toward your culture. 

Greeting students at the door is easy. Offer a fist bump, or a handshake, or at least air five! Say their name. This one is a big one, people relate well to other people who state their name. Make it your mission to learn one thing about each of your students. Use that knowledge! Ask them how soccer went last Saturday, or when the first night of the new school play is, or if they are excited about the new video game release. 

It doesn’t matter what, but they will take note that you remember and care enough to ask. A good rule to live by here is that we need to strive for 5 positive interactions for every redirect. Students will have bad days. 

Your ability to help them through that and to re-engage in the lesson or the day is going to largely depend on how well you built that relationship on the good days before. Invest wisely.

4. Focus on proximity over volume.

When a student appears to be off task, how do you redirect? Do you even need to? The simplest way to get a student back on track is often just by closing the distance between you and the student's desk. 

Put this in your teachers' toolbox to avoid dealing with power struggle referrals. This is a subtle social cue to the student that the teacher is aware they are off task, and for most students, they will correct this themselves. 

Obviously, this won’t cure all ills, but it is the least impactful place to start. 

Set the room so they can move about easily. Teachers need to be mobile during the lesson (get their steps in!). Active supervision means being active in the room. This also allows them to redirect a student 1v1 instead of in front of the entire group. This is much more likely to result in a positive result. 

As a principal or a school leader, we need to model this. Be mobile during the day, talking to students and building rapport so you can redirect without creating more issues than already exist.

5. Engage all students.

Emphasize to your staff that ALL means ALL when it comes to our kids. We need to strive to reach all our students. Find ways to keep all students engaged in the class. Have a system for calling on students to answer questions. 

Sometimes this comes rather naturally, sometimes you need a specific system. Either way, be intentional. 

If a student knows they may be called on to answer or go to the board and solve a problem they are more likely to be engaged in the learning. There are many ways to keep everyone involved at once as well. 

Technology has made this seamless in the classroom as you can create digital polls or message boards that everyone can respond to. Once again model this behavior in your building, go out of your way to include students in school events that aren’t normally highlighted. 

6. Praise.

Praise the behaviors you want to see more of. Thank students for having materials out and ready on the bell. Thank students for using appropriate procedures. Praise will be noticed and internalized. 

When I had a class that was less likely to throw hands up to answer questions I always pulled out a big bag of Jolly Ranchers to toss out for those who participated in the discussion. Have fun with it, and there is no age limit to having fun in the classroom. My seniors loved the Jolly Rancher discussions just as much as my 8th graders did. Maybe more so! 

As a school leader, I do this all day long. My goal is to not walk by a student without creating a positive interaction. A simple “thank you” for following our school-wide expectations accompanied by a “good morning” goes a long way in creating fidelity in your systems.

Behavior Management & Your School

These are all strategies that will help your teachers maintain an organized and productive classroom environment as well as positive school culture. I want to leave you with a couple of thoughts that are sometimes overlooked with behavior management concerns. 

The first of which is the room itself. When you are conducting walkthroughs in classrooms, are you considering the space? Is the physical layout conducive to success? Can you move about the room freely? Are the seating charts well thought out? Is the hall pass a little too convenient to access? Can you see all students at all times? Can they see the teacher and the board? 

Every room is a little different. Spend some time thinking through your classroom management strategies how you and the students will move through the room. The best advice for this is to try and sit in the room as a student would. Try to access the things they need, can you do so without causing a disruption? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

This is a great way to assist new teachers, as this is a concept that isn’t taught in teacher preparation programs but veteran teachers have often mastered it.

The last thing I want to leave you with is the redirection itself. How does your staff get a group back on track once they have swerved off course? Do they wait for them? Do they use the give me 5 methods? Do they have a special clap? They need an attention-getter – and one that won’t cause more negative interactions than necessary. 

It doesn’t really matter what it is, as long as students are familiar with what it is and what it means. Include the redirection method in your expectations and routines!

Be creative with this, make it yours, or let students help you come up with something they agree they will respond to. The more student ownership in the routines the better because the best classrooms and schools function as a small community would. 

When they take responsibility for that community your academic ceiling will rise dramatically. If your new to behavior management you should take a look at our database of Behavior Rubric examples or our many resources on how to start your PBIS program.

Subscribe via Email

Receive the best school culture resources monthly to inspire your planning.

You're observing a new teacher. The lesson plan is on point. They have the room set up for a great activity. The learning targets are clear and they are ready to TEACH! They have included everything. Real-world connections, learning extensions, and even created a fun exit slip where the big idea of the day can be applied to solve a real-life problem. What could go wrong? 

Well, unfortunately, that answer is a lot could go wrong! 

There are 30 variables that may or may not cooperate with those plans, and success rides on how well your teacher can manage those variables. What are they? They are the students! 

Their behavior can make or break a perfect lesson, and how well your staff can manage the room will determine how much learning can be accomplished. Enter behavior management.

What is Behavior Management?

Behavior management is a plan or set of actions that a teacher can utilize to ensure students have an optimal learning environment. In other words, behavior management focuses on creating conditions for the lesson to succeed.

Now, what needs to happen (or not happen) to create those conditions? Keep reading to learn some proven behavior management strategies.

Behavior Management Strategies

1. Set the routine.

Emphasize the importance of routines to your staff. The class should have a rhythm or flow to it that is expected and known by students. 

  • How does class start? 
  • Do students know how to transition between segments of class? 
  • Do they understand routines for asking for supplies or hall passes or if they need help? 

Invest some time early in the year on teaching kids how to do school. It may seem redundant or obvious, but it will pay dividends and save you time throughout the semester. 

This goes beyond the classroom as well. Teach students how to transition between rooms, proper cafe etiquette, and how to properly behave during events such as assemblies or pep rallies. This is a staple of PBIS best practices and a good PBIS program.

2. Establish clear expectations.

Does the lesson require something different than a normal routine? Your teachers need to be very clear and upfront about what it is they need students to do. 

A Science teacher needs to be a pro at this one as they often have supplies involved in lessons. 

  • How will they get those? 
  • Who will get them? 
  • What can they do with them…what can’t they? 

By setting clear expectations you aren’t just setting the tone for a smooth lesson, you're ensuring a safe lesson as well. Consider modeling this during faculty and staff meetings. 

Put expectations on the projector and take great care to explain the how and why of things to your staff.

3. Build relationships.

This one is the secret sauce of good classrooms and great schools. We need to invest in kids. Not monetarily, but in positive behavior supports. Think of it as deposits toward your culture. 

Greeting students at the door is easy. Offer a fist bump, or a handshake, or at least air five! Say their name. This one is a big one, people relate well to other people who state their name. Make it your mission to learn one thing about each of your students. Use that knowledge! Ask them how soccer went last Saturday, or when the first night of the new school play is, or if they are excited about the new video game release. 

It doesn’t matter what, but they will take note that you remember and care enough to ask. A good rule to live by here is that we need to strive for 5 positive interactions for every redirect. Students will have bad days. 

Your ability to help them through that and to re-engage in the lesson or the day is going to largely depend on how well you built that relationship on the good days before. Invest wisely.

4. Focus on proximity over volume.

When a student appears to be off task, how do you redirect? Do you even need to? The simplest way to get a student back on track is often just by closing the distance between you and the student's desk. 

Put this in your teachers' toolbox to avoid dealing with power struggle referrals. This is a subtle social cue to the student that the teacher is aware they are off task, and for most students, they will correct this themselves. 

Obviously, this won’t cure all ills, but it is the least impactful place to start. 

Set the room so they can move about easily. Teachers need to be mobile during the lesson (get their steps in!). Active supervision means being active in the room. This also allows them to redirect a student 1v1 instead of in front of the entire group. This is much more likely to result in a positive result. 

As a principal or a school leader, we need to model this. Be mobile during the day, talking to students and building rapport so you can redirect without creating more issues than already exist.

5. Engage all students.

Emphasize to your staff that ALL means ALL when it comes to our kids. We need to strive to reach all our students. Find ways to keep all students engaged in the class. Have a system for calling on students to answer questions. 

Sometimes this comes rather naturally, sometimes you need a specific system. Either way, be intentional. 

If a student knows they may be called on to answer or go to the board and solve a problem they are more likely to be engaged in the learning. There are many ways to keep everyone involved at once as well. 

Technology has made this seamless in the classroom as you can create digital polls or message boards that everyone can respond to. Once again model this behavior in your building, go out of your way to include students in school events that aren’t normally highlighted. 

6. Praise.

Praise the behaviors you want to see more of. Thank students for having materials out and ready on the bell. Thank students for using appropriate procedures. Praise will be noticed and internalized. 

When I had a class that was less likely to throw hands up to answer questions I always pulled out a big bag of Jolly Ranchers to toss out for those who participated in the discussion. Have fun with it, and there is no age limit to having fun in the classroom. My seniors loved the Jolly Rancher discussions just as much as my 8th graders did. Maybe more so! 

As a school leader, I do this all day long. My goal is to not walk by a student without creating a positive interaction. A simple “thank you” for following our school-wide expectations accompanied by a “good morning” goes a long way in creating fidelity in your systems.

Behavior Management & Your School

These are all strategies that will help your teachers maintain an organized and productive classroom environment as well as positive school culture. I want to leave you with a couple of thoughts that are sometimes overlooked with behavior management concerns. 

The first of which is the room itself. When you are conducting walkthroughs in classrooms, are you considering the space? Is the physical layout conducive to success? Can you move about the room freely? Are the seating charts well thought out? Is the hall pass a little too convenient to access? Can you see all students at all times? Can they see the teacher and the board? 

Every room is a little different. Spend some time thinking through your classroom management strategies how you and the students will move through the room. The best advice for this is to try and sit in the room as a student would. Try to access the things they need, can you do so without causing a disruption? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

This is a great way to assist new teachers, as this is a concept that isn’t taught in teacher preparation programs but veteran teachers have often mastered it.

The last thing I want to leave you with is the redirection itself. How does your staff get a group back on track once they have swerved off course? Do they wait for them? Do they use the give me 5 methods? Do they have a special clap? They need an attention-getter – and one that won’t cause more negative interactions than necessary. 

It doesn’t really matter what it is, as long as students are familiar with what it is and what it means. Include the redirection method in your expectations and routines!

Be creative with this, make it yours, or let students help you come up with something they agree they will respond to. The more student ownership in the routines the better because the best classrooms and schools function as a small community would. 

When they take responsibility for that community your academic ceiling will rise dramatically. If your new to behavior management you should take a look at our database of Behavior Rubric examples or our many resources on how to start your PBIS program.

quote icon
Back
Let’s take this to your inbox
We’ll send you our monthly newsletter which is fully stocked with free resources like articles, videos, podcasts, reward ideas, and anything else we can think of to help you make your school awesome.

You're observing a new teacher. The lesson plan is on point. They have the room set up for a great activity. The learning targets are clear and they are ready to TEACH! They have included everything. Real-world connections, learning extensions, and even created a fun exit slip where the big idea of the day can be applied to solve a real-life problem. What could go wrong? 

Well, unfortunately, that answer is a lot could go wrong! 

There are 30 variables that may or may not cooperate with those plans, and success rides on how well your teacher can manage those variables. What are they? They are the students! 

Their behavior can make or break a perfect lesson, and how well your staff can manage the room will determine how much learning can be accomplished. Enter behavior management.

What is Behavior Management?

Behavior management is a plan or set of actions that a teacher can utilize to ensure students have an optimal learning environment. In other words, behavior management focuses on creating conditions for the lesson to succeed.

Now, what needs to happen (or not happen) to create those conditions? Keep reading to learn some proven behavior management strategies.

Behavior Management Strategies

1. Set the routine.

Emphasize the importance of routines to your staff. The class should have a rhythm or flow to it that is expected and known by students. 

  • How does class start? 
  • Do students know how to transition between segments of class? 
  • Do they understand routines for asking for supplies or hall passes or if they need help? 

Invest some time early in the year on teaching kids how to do school. It may seem redundant or obvious, but it will pay dividends and save you time throughout the semester. 

This goes beyond the classroom as well. Teach students how to transition between rooms, proper cafe etiquette, and how to properly behave during events such as assemblies or pep rallies. This is a staple of PBIS best practices and a good PBIS program.

2. Establish clear expectations.

Does the lesson require something different than a normal routine? Your teachers need to be very clear and upfront about what it is they need students to do. 

A Science teacher needs to be a pro at this one as they often have supplies involved in lessons. 

  • How will they get those? 
  • Who will get them? 
  • What can they do with them…what can’t they? 

By setting clear expectations you aren’t just setting the tone for a smooth lesson, you're ensuring a safe lesson as well. Consider modeling this during faculty and staff meetings. 

Put expectations on the projector and take great care to explain the how and why of things to your staff.

3. Build relationships.

This one is the secret sauce of good classrooms and great schools. We need to invest in kids. Not monetarily, but in positive behavior supports. Think of it as deposits toward your culture. 

Greeting students at the door is easy. Offer a fist bump, or a handshake, or at least air five! Say their name. This one is a big one, people relate well to other people who state their name. Make it your mission to learn one thing about each of your students. Use that knowledge! Ask them how soccer went last Saturday, or when the first night of the new school play is, or if they are excited about the new video game release. 

It doesn’t matter what, but they will take note that you remember and care enough to ask. A good rule to live by here is that we need to strive for 5 positive interactions for every redirect. Students will have bad days. 

Your ability to help them through that and to re-engage in the lesson or the day is going to largely depend on how well you built that relationship on the good days before. Invest wisely.

4. Focus on proximity over volume.

When a student appears to be off task, how do you redirect? Do you even need to? The simplest way to get a student back on track is often just by closing the distance between you and the student's desk. 

Put this in your teachers' toolbox to avoid dealing with power struggle referrals. This is a subtle social cue to the student that the teacher is aware they are off task, and for most students, they will correct this themselves. 

Obviously, this won’t cure all ills, but it is the least impactful place to start. 

Set the room so they can move about easily. Teachers need to be mobile during the lesson (get their steps in!). Active supervision means being active in the room. This also allows them to redirect a student 1v1 instead of in front of the entire group. This is much more likely to result in a positive result. 

As a principal or a school leader, we need to model this. Be mobile during the day, talking to students and building rapport so you can redirect without creating more issues than already exist.

5. Engage all students.

Emphasize to your staff that ALL means ALL when it comes to our kids. We need to strive to reach all our students. Find ways to keep all students engaged in the class. Have a system for calling on students to answer questions. 

Sometimes this comes rather naturally, sometimes you need a specific system. Either way, be intentional. 

If a student knows they may be called on to answer or go to the board and solve a problem they are more likely to be engaged in the learning. There are many ways to keep everyone involved at once as well. 

Technology has made this seamless in the classroom as you can create digital polls or message boards that everyone can respond to. Once again model this behavior in your building, go out of your way to include students in school events that aren’t normally highlighted. 

6. Praise.

Praise the behaviors you want to see more of. Thank students for having materials out and ready on the bell. Thank students for using appropriate procedures. Praise will be noticed and internalized. 

When I had a class that was less likely to throw hands up to answer questions I always pulled out a big bag of Jolly Ranchers to toss out for those who participated in the discussion. Have fun with it, and there is no age limit to having fun in the classroom. My seniors loved the Jolly Rancher discussions just as much as my 8th graders did. Maybe more so! 

As a school leader, I do this all day long. My goal is to not walk by a student without creating a positive interaction. A simple “thank you” for following our school-wide expectations accompanied by a “good morning” goes a long way in creating fidelity in your systems.

Behavior Management & Your School

These are all strategies that will help your teachers maintain an organized and productive classroom environment as well as positive school culture. I want to leave you with a couple of thoughts that are sometimes overlooked with behavior management concerns. 

The first of which is the room itself. When you are conducting walkthroughs in classrooms, are you considering the space? Is the physical layout conducive to success? Can you move about the room freely? Are the seating charts well thought out? Is the hall pass a little too convenient to access? Can you see all students at all times? Can they see the teacher and the board? 

Every room is a little different. Spend some time thinking through your classroom management strategies how you and the students will move through the room. The best advice for this is to try and sit in the room as a student would. Try to access the things they need, can you do so without causing a disruption? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

This is a great way to assist new teachers, as this is a concept that isn’t taught in teacher preparation programs but veteran teachers have often mastered it.

The last thing I want to leave you with is the redirection itself. How does your staff get a group back on track once they have swerved off course? Do they wait for them? Do they use the give me 5 methods? Do they have a special clap? They need an attention-getter – and one that won’t cause more negative interactions than necessary. 

It doesn’t really matter what it is, as long as students are familiar with what it is and what it means. Include the redirection method in your expectations and routines!

Be creative with this, make it yours, or let students help you come up with something they agree they will respond to. The more student ownership in the routines the better because the best classrooms and schools function as a small community would. 

When they take responsibility for that community your academic ceiling will rise dramatically. If your new to behavior management you should take a look at our database of Behavior Rubric examples or our many resources on how to start your PBIS program.

6 Behavior Management Strategies for Schools

Behavior management is a plan or set of actions that a teacher utilizes to ensure an optimal learning environment.
By 
Jordan Pruitt
 | 
April 6, 2022

You're observing a new teacher. The lesson plan is on point. They have the room set up for a great activity. The learning targets are clear and they are ready to TEACH! They have included everything. Real-world connections, learning extensions, and even created a fun exit slip where the big idea of the day can be applied to solve a real-life problem. What could go wrong? 

Well, unfortunately, that answer is a lot could go wrong! 

There are 30 variables that may or may not cooperate with those plans, and success rides on how well your teacher can manage those variables. What are they? They are the students! 

Their behavior can make or break a perfect lesson, and how well your staff can manage the room will determine how much learning can be accomplished. Enter behavior management.

What is Behavior Management?

Behavior management is a plan or set of actions that a teacher can utilize to ensure students have an optimal learning environment. In other words, behavior management focuses on creating conditions for the lesson to succeed.

Now, what needs to happen (or not happen) to create those conditions? Keep reading to learn some proven behavior management strategies.

Behavior Management Strategies

1. Set the routine.

Emphasize the importance of routines to your staff. The class should have a rhythm or flow to it that is expected and known by students. 

  • How does class start? 
  • Do students know how to transition between segments of class? 
  • Do they understand routines for asking for supplies or hall passes or if they need help? 

Invest some time early in the year on teaching kids how to do school. It may seem redundant or obvious, but it will pay dividends and save you time throughout the semester. 

This goes beyond the classroom as well. Teach students how to transition between rooms, proper cafe etiquette, and how to properly behave during events such as assemblies or pep rallies. This is a staple of PBIS best practices and a good PBIS program.

2. Establish clear expectations.

Does the lesson require something different than a normal routine? Your teachers need to be very clear and upfront about what it is they need students to do. 

A Science teacher needs to be a pro at this one as they often have supplies involved in lessons. 

  • How will they get those? 
  • Who will get them? 
  • What can they do with them…what can’t they? 

By setting clear expectations you aren’t just setting the tone for a smooth lesson, you're ensuring a safe lesson as well. Consider modeling this during faculty and staff meetings. 

Put expectations on the projector and take great care to explain the how and why of things to your staff.

3. Build relationships.

This one is the secret sauce of good classrooms and great schools. We need to invest in kids. Not monetarily, but in positive behavior supports. Think of it as deposits toward your culture. 

Greeting students at the door is easy. Offer a fist bump, or a handshake, or at least air five! Say their name. This one is a big one, people relate well to other people who state their name. Make it your mission to learn one thing about each of your students. Use that knowledge! Ask them how soccer went last Saturday, or when the first night of the new school play is, or if they are excited about the new video game release. 

It doesn’t matter what, but they will take note that you remember and care enough to ask. A good rule to live by here is that we need to strive for 5 positive interactions for every redirect. Students will have bad days. 

Your ability to help them through that and to re-engage in the lesson or the day is going to largely depend on how well you built that relationship on the good days before. Invest wisely.

4. Focus on proximity over volume.

When a student appears to be off task, how do you redirect? Do you even need to? The simplest way to get a student back on track is often just by closing the distance between you and the student's desk. 

Put this in your teachers' toolbox to avoid dealing with power struggle referrals. This is a subtle social cue to the student that the teacher is aware they are off task, and for most students, they will correct this themselves. 

Obviously, this won’t cure all ills, but it is the least impactful place to start. 

Set the room so they can move about easily. Teachers need to be mobile during the lesson (get their steps in!). Active supervision means being active in the room. This also allows them to redirect a student 1v1 instead of in front of the entire group. This is much more likely to result in a positive result. 

As a principal or a school leader, we need to model this. Be mobile during the day, talking to students and building rapport so you can redirect without creating more issues than already exist.

5. Engage all students.

Emphasize to your staff that ALL means ALL when it comes to our kids. We need to strive to reach all our students. Find ways to keep all students engaged in the class. Have a system for calling on students to answer questions. 

Sometimes this comes rather naturally, sometimes you need a specific system. Either way, be intentional. 

If a student knows they may be called on to answer or go to the board and solve a problem they are more likely to be engaged in the learning. There are many ways to keep everyone involved at once as well. 

Technology has made this seamless in the classroom as you can create digital polls or message boards that everyone can respond to. Once again model this behavior in your building, go out of your way to include students in school events that aren’t normally highlighted. 

6. Praise.

Praise the behaviors you want to see more of. Thank students for having materials out and ready on the bell. Thank students for using appropriate procedures. Praise will be noticed and internalized. 

When I had a class that was less likely to throw hands up to answer questions I always pulled out a big bag of Jolly Ranchers to toss out for those who participated in the discussion. Have fun with it, and there is no age limit to having fun in the classroom. My seniors loved the Jolly Rancher discussions just as much as my 8th graders did. Maybe more so! 

As a school leader, I do this all day long. My goal is to not walk by a student without creating a positive interaction. A simple “thank you” for following our school-wide expectations accompanied by a “good morning” goes a long way in creating fidelity in your systems.

Behavior Management & Your School

These are all strategies that will help your teachers maintain an organized and productive classroom environment as well as positive school culture. I want to leave you with a couple of thoughts that are sometimes overlooked with behavior management concerns. 

The first of which is the room itself. When you are conducting walkthroughs in classrooms, are you considering the space? Is the physical layout conducive to success? Can you move about the room freely? Are the seating charts well thought out? Is the hall pass a little too convenient to access? Can you see all students at all times? Can they see the teacher and the board? 

Every room is a little different. Spend some time thinking through your classroom management strategies how you and the students will move through the room. The best advice for this is to try and sit in the room as a student would. Try to access the things they need, can you do so without causing a disruption? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

This is a great way to assist new teachers, as this is a concept that isn’t taught in teacher preparation programs but veteran teachers have often mastered it.

The last thing I want to leave you with is the redirection itself. How does your staff get a group back on track once they have swerved off course? Do they wait for them? Do they use the give me 5 methods? Do they have a special clap? They need an attention-getter – and one that won’t cause more negative interactions than necessary. 

It doesn’t really matter what it is, as long as students are familiar with what it is and what it means. Include the redirection method in your expectations and routines!

Be creative with this, make it yours, or let students help you come up with something they agree they will respond to. The more student ownership in the routines the better because the best classrooms and schools function as a small community would. 

When they take responsibility for that community your academic ceiling will rise dramatically. If your new to behavior management you should take a look at our database of Behavior Rubric examples or our many resources on how to start your PBIS program.

No items found.

Subscribe via Email

Receive the best school culture resources monthly to inspire your planning.

6 Behavior Management Strategies for Schools

Behavior management is a plan or set of actions that a teacher utilizes to ensure an optimal learning environment.
By 
Jordan Pruitt
 | 
April 6, 2022

About the Event

You're observing a new teacher. The lesson plan is on point. They have the room set up for a great activity. The learning targets are clear and they are ready to TEACH! They have included everything. Real-world connections, learning extensions, and even created a fun exit slip where the big idea of the day can be applied to solve a real-life problem. What could go wrong? 

Well, unfortunately, that answer is a lot could go wrong! 

There are 30 variables that may or may not cooperate with those plans, and success rides on how well your teacher can manage those variables. What are they? They are the students! 

Their behavior can make or break a perfect lesson, and how well your staff can manage the room will determine how much learning can be accomplished. Enter behavior management.

What is Behavior Management?

Behavior management is a plan or set of actions that a teacher can utilize to ensure students have an optimal learning environment. In other words, behavior management focuses on creating conditions for the lesson to succeed.

Now, what needs to happen (or not happen) to create those conditions? Keep reading to learn some proven behavior management strategies.

Behavior Management Strategies

1. Set the routine.

Emphasize the importance of routines to your staff. The class should have a rhythm or flow to it that is expected and known by students. 

  • How does class start? 
  • Do students know how to transition between segments of class? 
  • Do they understand routines for asking for supplies or hall passes or if they need help? 

Invest some time early in the year on teaching kids how to do school. It may seem redundant or obvious, but it will pay dividends and save you time throughout the semester. 

This goes beyond the classroom as well. Teach students how to transition between rooms, proper cafe etiquette, and how to properly behave during events such as assemblies or pep rallies. This is a staple of PBIS best practices and a good PBIS program.

2. Establish clear expectations.

Does the lesson require something different than a normal routine? Your teachers need to be very clear and upfront about what it is they need students to do. 

A Science teacher needs to be a pro at this one as they often have supplies involved in lessons. 

  • How will they get those? 
  • Who will get them? 
  • What can they do with them…what can’t they? 

By setting clear expectations you aren’t just setting the tone for a smooth lesson, you're ensuring a safe lesson as well. Consider modeling this during faculty and staff meetings. 

Put expectations on the projector and take great care to explain the how and why of things to your staff.

3. Build relationships.

This one is the secret sauce of good classrooms and great schools. We need to invest in kids. Not monetarily, but in positive behavior supports. Think of it as deposits toward your culture. 

Greeting students at the door is easy. Offer a fist bump, or a handshake, or at least air five! Say their name. This one is a big one, people relate well to other people who state their name. Make it your mission to learn one thing about each of your students. Use that knowledge! Ask them how soccer went last Saturday, or when the first night of the new school play is, or if they are excited about the new video game release. 

It doesn’t matter what, but they will take note that you remember and care enough to ask. A good rule to live by here is that we need to strive for 5 positive interactions for every redirect. Students will have bad days. 

Your ability to help them through that and to re-engage in the lesson or the day is going to largely depend on how well you built that relationship on the good days before. Invest wisely.

4. Focus on proximity over volume.

When a student appears to be off task, how do you redirect? Do you even need to? The simplest way to get a student back on track is often just by closing the distance between you and the student's desk. 

Put this in your teachers' toolbox to avoid dealing with power struggle referrals. This is a subtle social cue to the student that the teacher is aware they are off task, and for most students, they will correct this themselves. 

Obviously, this won’t cure all ills, but it is the least impactful place to start. 

Set the room so they can move about easily. Teachers need to be mobile during the lesson (get their steps in!). Active supervision means being active in the room. This also allows them to redirect a student 1v1 instead of in front of the entire group. This is much more likely to result in a positive result. 

As a principal or a school leader, we need to model this. Be mobile during the day, talking to students and building rapport so you can redirect without creating more issues than already exist.

5. Engage all students.

Emphasize to your staff that ALL means ALL when it comes to our kids. We need to strive to reach all our students. Find ways to keep all students engaged in the class. Have a system for calling on students to answer questions. 

Sometimes this comes rather naturally, sometimes you need a specific system. Either way, be intentional. 

If a student knows they may be called on to answer or go to the board and solve a problem they are more likely to be engaged in the learning. There are many ways to keep everyone involved at once as well. 

Technology has made this seamless in the classroom as you can create digital polls or message boards that everyone can respond to. Once again model this behavior in your building, go out of your way to include students in school events that aren’t normally highlighted. 

6. Praise.

Praise the behaviors you want to see more of. Thank students for having materials out and ready on the bell. Thank students for using appropriate procedures. Praise will be noticed and internalized. 

When I had a class that was less likely to throw hands up to answer questions I always pulled out a big bag of Jolly Ranchers to toss out for those who participated in the discussion. Have fun with it, and there is no age limit to having fun in the classroom. My seniors loved the Jolly Rancher discussions just as much as my 8th graders did. Maybe more so! 

As a school leader, I do this all day long. My goal is to not walk by a student without creating a positive interaction. A simple “thank you” for following our school-wide expectations accompanied by a “good morning” goes a long way in creating fidelity in your systems.

Behavior Management & Your School

These are all strategies that will help your teachers maintain an organized and productive classroom environment as well as positive school culture. I want to leave you with a couple of thoughts that are sometimes overlooked with behavior management concerns. 

The first of which is the room itself. When you are conducting walkthroughs in classrooms, are you considering the space? Is the physical layout conducive to success? Can you move about the room freely? Are the seating charts well thought out? Is the hall pass a little too convenient to access? Can you see all students at all times? Can they see the teacher and the board? 

Every room is a little different. Spend some time thinking through your classroom management strategies how you and the students will move through the room. The best advice for this is to try and sit in the room as a student would. Try to access the things they need, can you do so without causing a disruption? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

This is a great way to assist new teachers, as this is a concept that isn’t taught in teacher preparation programs but veteran teachers have often mastered it.

The last thing I want to leave you with is the redirection itself. How does your staff get a group back on track once they have swerved off course? Do they wait for them? Do they use the give me 5 methods? Do they have a special clap? They need an attention-getter – and one that won’t cause more negative interactions than necessary. 

It doesn’t really matter what it is, as long as students are familiar with what it is and what it means. Include the redirection method in your expectations and routines!

Be creative with this, make it yours, or let students help you come up with something they agree they will respond to. The more student ownership in the routines the better because the best classrooms and schools function as a small community would. 

When they take responsibility for that community your academic ceiling will rise dramatically. If your new to behavior management you should take a look at our database of Behavior Rubric examples or our many resources on how to start your PBIS program.

Register Now

About the Event

You're observing a new teacher. The lesson plan is on point. They have the room set up for a great activity. The learning targets are clear and they are ready to TEACH! They have included everything. Real-world connections, learning extensions, and even created a fun exit slip where the big idea of the day can be applied to solve a real-life problem. What could go wrong? 

Well, unfortunately, that answer is a lot could go wrong! 

There are 30 variables that may or may not cooperate with those plans, and success rides on how well your teacher can manage those variables. What are they? They are the students! 

Their behavior can make or break a perfect lesson, and how well your staff can manage the room will determine how much learning can be accomplished. Enter behavior management.

What is Behavior Management?

Behavior management is a plan or set of actions that a teacher can utilize to ensure students have an optimal learning environment. In other words, behavior management focuses on creating conditions for the lesson to succeed.

Now, what needs to happen (or not happen) to create those conditions? Keep reading to learn some proven behavior management strategies.

Behavior Management Strategies

1. Set the routine.

Emphasize the importance of routines to your staff. The class should have a rhythm or flow to it that is expected and known by students. 

  • How does class start? 
  • Do students know how to transition between segments of class? 
  • Do they understand routines for asking for supplies or hall passes or if they need help? 

Invest some time early in the year on teaching kids how to do school. It may seem redundant or obvious, but it will pay dividends and save you time throughout the semester. 

This goes beyond the classroom as well. Teach students how to transition between rooms, proper cafe etiquette, and how to properly behave during events such as assemblies or pep rallies. This is a staple of PBIS best practices and a good PBIS program.

2. Establish clear expectations.

Does the lesson require something different than a normal routine? Your teachers need to be very clear and upfront about what it is they need students to do. 

A Science teacher needs to be a pro at this one as they often have supplies involved in lessons. 

  • How will they get those? 
  • Who will get them? 
  • What can they do with them…what can’t they? 

By setting clear expectations you aren’t just setting the tone for a smooth lesson, you're ensuring a safe lesson as well. Consider modeling this during faculty and staff meetings. 

Put expectations on the projector and take great care to explain the how and why of things to your staff.

3. Build relationships.

This one is the secret sauce of good classrooms and great schools. We need to invest in kids. Not monetarily, but in positive behavior supports. Think of it as deposits toward your culture. 

Greeting students at the door is easy. Offer a fist bump, or a handshake, or at least air five! Say their name. This one is a big one, people relate well to other people who state their name. Make it your mission to learn one thing about each of your students. Use that knowledge! Ask them how soccer went last Saturday, or when the first night of the new school play is, or if they are excited about the new video game release. 

It doesn’t matter what, but they will take note that you remember and care enough to ask. A good rule to live by here is that we need to strive for 5 positive interactions for every redirect. Students will have bad days. 

Your ability to help them through that and to re-engage in the lesson or the day is going to largely depend on how well you built that relationship on the good days before. Invest wisely.

4. Focus on proximity over volume.

When a student appears to be off task, how do you redirect? Do you even need to? The simplest way to get a student back on track is often just by closing the distance between you and the student's desk. 

Put this in your teachers' toolbox to avoid dealing with power struggle referrals. This is a subtle social cue to the student that the teacher is aware they are off task, and for most students, they will correct this themselves. 

Obviously, this won’t cure all ills, but it is the least impactful place to start. 

Set the room so they can move about easily. Teachers need to be mobile during the lesson (get their steps in!). Active supervision means being active in the room. This also allows them to redirect a student 1v1 instead of in front of the entire group. This is much more likely to result in a positive result. 

As a principal or a school leader, we need to model this. Be mobile during the day, talking to students and building rapport so you can redirect without creating more issues than already exist.

5. Engage all students.

Emphasize to your staff that ALL means ALL when it comes to our kids. We need to strive to reach all our students. Find ways to keep all students engaged in the class. Have a system for calling on students to answer questions. 

Sometimes this comes rather naturally, sometimes you need a specific system. Either way, be intentional. 

If a student knows they may be called on to answer or go to the board and solve a problem they are more likely to be engaged in the learning. There are many ways to keep everyone involved at once as well. 

Technology has made this seamless in the classroom as you can create digital polls or message boards that everyone can respond to. Once again model this behavior in your building, go out of your way to include students in school events that aren’t normally highlighted. 

6. Praise.

Praise the behaviors you want to see more of. Thank students for having materials out and ready on the bell. Thank students for using appropriate procedures. Praise will be noticed and internalized. 

When I had a class that was less likely to throw hands up to answer questions I always pulled out a big bag of Jolly Ranchers to toss out for those who participated in the discussion. Have fun with it, and there is no age limit to having fun in the classroom. My seniors loved the Jolly Rancher discussions just as much as my 8th graders did. Maybe more so! 

As a school leader, I do this all day long. My goal is to not walk by a student without creating a positive interaction. A simple “thank you” for following our school-wide expectations accompanied by a “good morning” goes a long way in creating fidelity in your systems.

Behavior Management & Your School

These are all strategies that will help your teachers maintain an organized and productive classroom environment as well as positive school culture. I want to leave you with a couple of thoughts that are sometimes overlooked with behavior management concerns. 

The first of which is the room itself. When you are conducting walkthroughs in classrooms, are you considering the space? Is the physical layout conducive to success? Can you move about the room freely? Are the seating charts well thought out? Is the hall pass a little too convenient to access? Can you see all students at all times? Can they see the teacher and the board? 

Every room is a little different. Spend some time thinking through your classroom management strategies how you and the students will move through the room. The best advice for this is to try and sit in the room as a student would. Try to access the things they need, can you do so without causing a disruption? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

This is a great way to assist new teachers, as this is a concept that isn’t taught in teacher preparation programs but veteran teachers have often mastered it.

The last thing I want to leave you with is the redirection itself. How does your staff get a group back on track once they have swerved off course? Do they wait for them? Do they use the give me 5 methods? Do they have a special clap? They need an attention-getter – and one that won’t cause more negative interactions than necessary. 

It doesn’t really matter what it is, as long as students are familiar with what it is and what it means. Include the redirection method in your expectations and routines!

Be creative with this, make it yours, or let students help you come up with something they agree they will respond to. The more student ownership in the routines the better because the best classrooms and schools function as a small community would. 

When they take responsibility for that community your academic ceiling will rise dramatically. If your new to behavior management you should take a look at our database of Behavior Rubric examples or our many resources on how to start your PBIS program.

About the Presenter

Jordan resides in Lexington, Kentucky. He has experience in Public Education as an Administrator, Science Teacher, and as a Coach. He has extensive experience with School Discipline, PBIS, SEL, Restorative Practices, MTSS, and Trauma-Informed Care.

Subscribe via Email

Receive the best school culture resources monthly to inspire your planning.

6 Behavior Management Strategies for Schools

Behavior management is a plan or set of actions that a teacher utilizes to ensure an optimal learning environment.
By 
Jordan Pruitt
 | 
April 6, 2022

You're observing a new teacher. The lesson plan is on point. They have the room set up for a great activity. The learning targets are clear and they are ready to TEACH! They have included everything. Real-world connections, learning extensions, and even created a fun exit slip where the big idea of the day can be applied to solve a real-life problem. What could go wrong?

You're observing a new teacher. The lesson plan is on point. They have the room set up for a great activity. The learning targets are clear and they are ready to TEACH! They have included everything. Real-world connections, learning extensions, and even created a fun exit slip where the big idea of the day can be applied to solve a real-life problem. What could go wrong? 

Well, unfortunately, that answer is a lot could go wrong! 

There are 30 variables that may or may not cooperate with those plans, and success rides on how well your teacher can manage those variables. What are they? They are the students! 

Their behavior can make or break a perfect lesson, and how well your staff can manage the room will determine how much learning can be accomplished. Enter behavior management.

What is Behavior Management?

Behavior management is a plan or set of actions that a teacher can utilize to ensure students have an optimal learning environment. In other words, behavior management focuses on creating conditions for the lesson to succeed.

Now, what needs to happen (or not happen) to create those conditions? Keep reading to learn some proven behavior management strategies.

Behavior Management Strategies

1. Set the routine.

Emphasize the importance of routines to your staff. The class should have a rhythm or flow to it that is expected and known by students. 

  • How does class start? 
  • Do students know how to transition between segments of class? 
  • Do they understand routines for asking for supplies or hall passes or if they need help? 

Invest some time early in the year on teaching kids how to do school. It may seem redundant or obvious, but it will pay dividends and save you time throughout the semester. 

This goes beyond the classroom as well. Teach students how to transition between rooms, proper cafe etiquette, and how to properly behave during events such as assemblies or pep rallies. This is a staple of PBIS best practices and a good PBIS program.

2. Establish clear expectations.

Does the lesson require something different than a normal routine? Your teachers need to be very clear and upfront about what it is they need students to do. 

A Science teacher needs to be a pro at this one as they often have supplies involved in lessons. 

  • How will they get those? 
  • Who will get them? 
  • What can they do with them…what can’t they? 

By setting clear expectations you aren’t just setting the tone for a smooth lesson, you're ensuring a safe lesson as well. Consider modeling this during faculty and staff meetings. 

Put expectations on the projector and take great care to explain the how and why of things to your staff.

3. Build relationships.

This one is the secret sauce of good classrooms and great schools. We need to invest in kids. Not monetarily, but in positive behavior supports. Think of it as deposits toward your culture. 

Greeting students at the door is easy. Offer a fist bump, or a handshake, or at least air five! Say their name. This one is a big one, people relate well to other people who state their name. Make it your mission to learn one thing about each of your students. Use that knowledge! Ask them how soccer went last Saturday, or when the first night of the new school play is, or if they are excited about the new video game release. 

It doesn’t matter what, but they will take note that you remember and care enough to ask. A good rule to live by here is that we need to strive for 5 positive interactions for every redirect. Students will have bad days. 

Your ability to help them through that and to re-engage in the lesson or the day is going to largely depend on how well you built that relationship on the good days before. Invest wisely.

4. Focus on proximity over volume.

When a student appears to be off task, how do you redirect? Do you even need to? The simplest way to get a student back on track is often just by closing the distance between you and the student's desk. 

Put this in your teachers' toolbox to avoid dealing with power struggle referrals. This is a subtle social cue to the student that the teacher is aware they are off task, and for most students, they will correct this themselves. 

Obviously, this won’t cure all ills, but it is the least impactful place to start. 

Set the room so they can move about easily. Teachers need to be mobile during the lesson (get their steps in!). Active supervision means being active in the room. This also allows them to redirect a student 1v1 instead of in front of the entire group. This is much more likely to result in a positive result. 

As a principal or a school leader, we need to model this. Be mobile during the day, talking to students and building rapport so you can redirect without creating more issues than already exist.

5. Engage all students.

Emphasize to your staff that ALL means ALL when it comes to our kids. We need to strive to reach all our students. Find ways to keep all students engaged in the class. Have a system for calling on students to answer questions. 

Sometimes this comes rather naturally, sometimes you need a specific system. Either way, be intentional. 

If a student knows they may be called on to answer or go to the board and solve a problem they are more likely to be engaged in the learning. There are many ways to keep everyone involved at once as well. 

Technology has made this seamless in the classroom as you can create digital polls or message boards that everyone can respond to. Once again model this behavior in your building, go out of your way to include students in school events that aren’t normally highlighted. 

6. Praise.

Praise the behaviors you want to see more of. Thank students for having materials out and ready on the bell. Thank students for using appropriate procedures. Praise will be noticed and internalized. 

When I had a class that was less likely to throw hands up to answer questions I always pulled out a big bag of Jolly Ranchers to toss out for those who participated in the discussion. Have fun with it, and there is no age limit to having fun in the classroom. My seniors loved the Jolly Rancher discussions just as much as my 8th graders did. Maybe more so! 

As a school leader, I do this all day long. My goal is to not walk by a student without creating a positive interaction. A simple “thank you” for following our school-wide expectations accompanied by a “good morning” goes a long way in creating fidelity in your systems.

Behavior Management & Your School

These are all strategies that will help your teachers maintain an organized and productive classroom environment as well as positive school culture. I want to leave you with a couple of thoughts that are sometimes overlooked with behavior management concerns. 

The first of which is the room itself. When you are conducting walkthroughs in classrooms, are you considering the space? Is the physical layout conducive to success? Can you move about the room freely? Are the seating charts well thought out? Is the hall pass a little too convenient to access? Can you see all students at all times? Can they see the teacher and the board? 

Every room is a little different. Spend some time thinking through your classroom management strategies how you and the students will move through the room. The best advice for this is to try and sit in the room as a student would. Try to access the things they need, can you do so without causing a disruption? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

This is a great way to assist new teachers, as this is a concept that isn’t taught in teacher preparation programs but veteran teachers have often mastered it.

The last thing I want to leave you with is the redirection itself. How does your staff get a group back on track once they have swerved off course? Do they wait for them? Do they use the give me 5 methods? Do they have a special clap? They need an attention-getter – and one that won’t cause more negative interactions than necessary. 

It doesn’t really matter what it is, as long as students are familiar with what it is and what it means. Include the redirection method in your expectations and routines!

Be creative with this, make it yours, or let students help you come up with something they agree they will respond to. The more student ownership in the routines the better because the best classrooms and schools function as a small community would. 

When they take responsibility for that community your academic ceiling will rise dramatically. If your new to behavior management you should take a look at our database of Behavior Rubric examples or our many resources on how to start your PBIS program.

All Reward Ideas for Students

🎉
👑
🎁
Holiday Classroom Carousel
Grades 9-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Silly Science Experiments
Grades K-5
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
The Love Soiree
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Sports Tickets
Grades 3-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Music Fest
Grades 9-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Cut the Principal’s Tie
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
STEM Field Day
Grades K-8
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Board Game Party
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Donate $1
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Sweatshirt
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Lost & Found Fashion Show
Grades 9-12
School
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Snack Party
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Be a Comedian.
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Tutor
Grades 6-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Teacher Q&A
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Morning Meeting Leader
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free

All Reward Ideas for Elementary School Students

🎉
👑
🎁
Read Across America
Grades K-8
School
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Stuffed Animal in Class
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Dance Party
Grades K-12
Student
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Class Jobs
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Holidays Around the World
Grades K-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Art Contest
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Principal for a Day
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Classroom DJ
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Firebird of the Month
Grades K-12
Student
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Lunch With the Teacher
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Line Leader
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Wristband
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Lunch Reservations
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Books
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Family Feast
Grades K-8
Class/House
Event
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Special Pen
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY

All Event Ideas for Schools

All Free Reward Ideas for Schools

🎉
👑
🎁
Blood Drive
🎉
👑
🎁
Hallway High-Five
🎉
👑
🎁
Teacher Serenade
🎉
👑
🎁
Be a Comedian.
🎉
👑
🎁
School Assembly
🎉
👑
🎁
Lunch Concert
🎉
👑
🎁
Vote
🎉
👑
🎁
Game of Thrones
🎉
👑
🎁
Meme Party
🎉
👑
🎁
Tech Time
🎉
👑
🎁
House Induction
🎉
👑
🎁
Camp Read Away

All Reward Ideas for High School Students

🎉
👑
🎁
School Spirit Day
Grades K-12
School
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Snack Party
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Parking Spots
Grades 9-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Board Game Party
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Homework Pass
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Game-Based Simulation Learning
Grades 9-12
Class/House
Event
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Food-Themed Party
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Social Media Reporter
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
School Dance
Grades 9-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Music Fest
Grades 9-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Hat Pass
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Backpack
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Blood Drive
Grades 9-12
School
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Gift Cards
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Podcast
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Bonfire
Grades 9-12
Class/House
Event
Deluxe

All Reward Ideas for Middle School Students

🎉
👑
🎁
Snack Party
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Social Media Reporter
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Silly School Leader
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Backpack
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
The Love Soiree
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Video Game Rewards
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Board Game Party
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Picnic Lunch
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Drop Lowest Quiz
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Decades Party
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Seating Choice
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Passing Period Music
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Rolling Chair Rental
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Special Screening
Grades K-12
School
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Morning Meeting Leader
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Anime Themed Party
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY

All Student Reward & Incentive Ideas

💰
🎨
Silly Science Experiments
Grades K-5
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
Seat Swap
Grades 3-5
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Certificate of Achievement
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Lunch Concert
Grades 6-8
Class/House
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Teacher for the Day
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Trip to the Treasure Box
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
Technology
Grades 6-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
💰
🎨
Sweatshirt
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
💰
🎨
Color a Teacher’s Hair
Grades 9-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
Rolling Chair Rental
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
Hallway High-Five
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Teacher Serenade
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Brain Break
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Line Leader
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Special Screening
Grades K-12
School
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Gift Cards
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Deluxe

All Virtual Reward Ideas for Schools

🎉
👑
🎁
Virtual Field Trip
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Digital Escape Rooms
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Privilege
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Host a Virtual Party. 🎶
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Podcast
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Positive Note or Call Home
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Morning Meeting Leader
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Stickers
Grades K-5
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Classroom DJ
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Teacher Q&A
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Virtual Talent Show. 🎤
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Donate $1
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Social Media Reporter
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Show & Tell
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Brain Break
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Student Spotlight Board
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Certificate of Achievement
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
See all Rewards

Want more ideas?

Rewards that Rock 🎸 has 100+ rewards, incentives, and event ideas to build your school culture.
Find Rewards
Learn more about the author, 
Jordan Pruitt
 

Subscribe via Email

Receive the best school culture resources monthly to inspire your planning.

6 Behavior Management Strategies for Schools

Behavior management is a plan or set of actions that a teacher utilizes to ensure an optimal learning environment.
By 
Jordan Pruitt
 | 
April 6, 2022

You're observing a new teacher. The lesson plan is on point. They have the room set up for a great activity. The learning targets are clear and they are ready to TEACH! They have included everything. Real-world connections, learning extensions, and even created a fun exit slip where the big idea of the day can be applied to solve a real-life problem. What could go wrong?

You're observing a new teacher. The lesson plan is on point. They have the room set up for a great activity. The learning targets are clear and they are ready to TEACH! They have included everything. Real-world connections, learning extensions, and even created a fun exit slip where the big idea of the day can be applied to solve a real-life problem. What could go wrong? 

Well, unfortunately, that answer is a lot could go wrong! 

There are 30 variables that may or may not cooperate with those plans, and success rides on how well your teacher can manage those variables. What are they? They are the students! 

Their behavior can make or break a perfect lesson, and how well your staff can manage the room will determine how much learning can be accomplished. Enter behavior management.

What is Behavior Management?

Behavior management is a plan or set of actions that a teacher can utilize to ensure students have an optimal learning environment. In other words, behavior management focuses on creating conditions for the lesson to succeed.

Now, what needs to happen (or not happen) to create those conditions? Keep reading to learn some proven behavior management strategies.

Behavior Management Strategies

1. Set the routine.

Emphasize the importance of routines to your staff. The class should have a rhythm or flow to it that is expected and known by students. 

  • How does class start? 
  • Do students know how to transition between segments of class? 
  • Do they understand routines for asking for supplies or hall passes or if they need help? 

Invest some time early in the year on teaching kids how to do school. It may seem redundant or obvious, but it will pay dividends and save you time throughout the semester. 

This goes beyond the classroom as well. Teach students how to transition between rooms, proper cafe etiquette, and how to properly behave during events such as assemblies or pep rallies. This is a staple of PBIS best practices and a good PBIS program.

2. Establish clear expectations.

Does the lesson require something different than a normal routine? Your teachers need to be very clear and upfront about what it is they need students to do. 

A Science teacher needs to be a pro at this one as they often have supplies involved in lessons. 

  • How will they get those? 
  • Who will get them? 
  • What can they do with them…what can’t they? 

By setting clear expectations you aren’t just setting the tone for a smooth lesson, you're ensuring a safe lesson as well. Consider modeling this during faculty and staff meetings. 

Put expectations on the projector and take great care to explain the how and why of things to your staff.

3. Build relationships.

This one is the secret sauce of good classrooms and great schools. We need to invest in kids. Not monetarily, but in positive behavior supports. Think of it as deposits toward your culture. 

Greeting students at the door is easy. Offer a fist bump, or a handshake, or at least air five! Say their name. This one is a big one, people relate well to other people who state their name. Make it your mission to learn one thing about each of your students. Use that knowledge! Ask them how soccer went last Saturday, or when the first night of the new school play is, or if they are excited about the new video game release. 

It doesn’t matter what, but they will take note that you remember and care enough to ask. A good rule to live by here is that we need to strive for 5 positive interactions for every redirect. Students will have bad days. 

Your ability to help them through that and to re-engage in the lesson or the day is going to largely depend on how well you built that relationship on the good days before. Invest wisely.

4. Focus on proximity over volume.

When a student appears to be off task, how do you redirect? Do you even need to? The simplest way to get a student back on track is often just by closing the distance between you and the student's desk. 

Put this in your teachers' toolbox to avoid dealing with power struggle referrals. This is a subtle social cue to the student that the teacher is aware they are off task, and for most students, they will correct this themselves. 

Obviously, this won’t cure all ills, but it is the least impactful place to start. 

Set the room so they can move about easily. Teachers need to be mobile during the lesson (get their steps in!). Active supervision means being active in the room. This also allows them to redirect a student 1v1 instead of in front of the entire group. This is much more likely to result in a positive result. 

As a principal or a school leader, we need to model this. Be mobile during the day, talking to students and building rapport so you can redirect without creating more issues than already exist.

5. Engage all students.

Emphasize to your staff that ALL means ALL when it comes to our kids. We need to strive to reach all our students. Find ways to keep all students engaged in the class. Have a system for calling on students to answer questions. 

Sometimes this comes rather naturally, sometimes you need a specific system. Either way, be intentional. 

If a student knows they may be called on to answer or go to the board and solve a problem they are more likely to be engaged in the learning. There are many ways to keep everyone involved at once as well. 

Technology has made this seamless in the classroom as you can create digital polls or message boards that everyone can respond to. Once again model this behavior in your building, go out of your way to include students in school events that aren’t normally highlighted. 

6. Praise.

Praise the behaviors you want to see more of. Thank students for having materials out and ready on the bell. Thank students for using appropriate procedures. Praise will be noticed and internalized. 

When I had a class that was less likely to throw hands up to answer questions I always pulled out a big bag of Jolly Ranchers to toss out for those who participated in the discussion. Have fun with it, and there is no age limit to having fun in the classroom. My seniors loved the Jolly Rancher discussions just as much as my 8th graders did. Maybe more so! 

As a school leader, I do this all day long. My goal is to not walk by a student without creating a positive interaction. A simple “thank you” for following our school-wide expectations accompanied by a “good morning” goes a long way in creating fidelity in your systems.

Behavior Management & Your School

These are all strategies that will help your teachers maintain an organized and productive classroom environment as well as positive school culture. I want to leave you with a couple of thoughts that are sometimes overlooked with behavior management concerns. 

The first of which is the room itself. When you are conducting walkthroughs in classrooms, are you considering the space? Is the physical layout conducive to success? Can you move about the room freely? Are the seating charts well thought out? Is the hall pass a little too convenient to access? Can you see all students at all times? Can they see the teacher and the board? 

Every room is a little different. Spend some time thinking through your classroom management strategies how you and the students will move through the room. The best advice for this is to try and sit in the room as a student would. Try to access the things they need, can you do so without causing a disruption? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

This is a great way to assist new teachers, as this is a concept that isn’t taught in teacher preparation programs but veteran teachers have often mastered it.

The last thing I want to leave you with is the redirection itself. How does your staff get a group back on track once they have swerved off course? Do they wait for them? Do they use the give me 5 methods? Do they have a special clap? They need an attention-getter – and one that won’t cause more negative interactions than necessary. 

It doesn’t really matter what it is, as long as students are familiar with what it is and what it means. Include the redirection method in your expectations and routines!

Be creative with this, make it yours, or let students help you come up with something they agree they will respond to. The more student ownership in the routines the better because the best classrooms and schools function as a small community would. 

When they take responsibility for that community your academic ceiling will rise dramatically. If your new to behavior management you should take a look at our database of Behavior Rubric examples or our many resources on how to start your PBIS program.

All Reward Ideas for Students

🎉
👑
🎁
Follow a Friend
Grades 6-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Lunch With the Teacher
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
School Dance
Grades 9-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Art Contest
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Design the Bulletin Board
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Vote
Grades 6-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Teacher Q&A
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Talk Time
Grades 6-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Drop Lowest Quiz
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Bonfire
Grades 9-12
Class/House
Event
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
School Assembly
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
TikTok with the Teacher
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Amazing Race
Grades 9-12
Class/House
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Assist the Custodian.
Grades 6-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Sports Tickets
Grades 3-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Lunch with an Admin
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY

All Reward Ideas for Elementary School Students

🎉
👑
🎁
Brain Break
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Art Contest
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Seat Swap
Grades 3-5
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
School Assembly
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Classroom DJ
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Cut the Principal’s Tie
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Show & Tell
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Positive Note or Call Home
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Partner Work
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Drop Lowest Quiz
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Meet the Teacher
Grades K-8
School
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Wristband
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Teacher Serenade
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Ice Cream Sundae Party
Grades K-12
Class/House
Event
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Pie a Teacher
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Final Fridays
Grades K-8
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY

All Event Ideas for Schools

All Free Reward Ideas for Schools

🎉
👑
🎁
Seat Swap
🎉
👑
🎁
Show & Tell
🎉
👑
🎁
Tech Time
🎉
👑
🎁
Be a Comedian.
🎉
👑
🎁
Meme Party
🎉
👑
🎁
Talk Time
🎉
👑
🎁
School Spirit Day
🎉
👑
🎁
Hallway High-Five
🎉
👑
🎁
Drop Lowest Quiz
🎉
👑
🎁
Operate Equipment.
🎉
👑
🎁
School Assembly
🎉
👑
🎁
Classroom DJ
🎉
👑
🎁
Free Dress

All Reward Ideas for High School Students

🎉
👑
🎁
Movie Posters
Grades 3-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Pie a Teacher
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Early Lunch Dismissal
Grades 9-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Dress Up or Down Day
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Anime Themed Party
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Old School Cookout
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Event
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Wild ‘N Out High School Edition
Grades 9-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Technology
Grades 6-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
School Spirit Day
Grades K-12
School
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Special Screening
Grades K-12
School
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Holiday Classroom Carousel
Grades 9-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Operate Equipment.
Grades 9-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Virtual Field Trip
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Rolling Chair Rental
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Holidays Around the World
Grades K-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Parking Spots
Grades 9-12
Student
Privilege
Free

All Reward Ideas for Middle School Students

🎉
👑
🎁
Snack Party
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Class Pet
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Pen Pouch
Grades K-8
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Board Game Party
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Create the Seating Chart
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Teacher for the Day
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Toys
Grades K-8
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Movie Posters
Grades 3-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Certificate of Achievement
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Student Messenger
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Free Dress
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Social Media Reporter
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Trunk or Treat
Grades K-8
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
House Induction
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
STEM Field Day
Grades K-8
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Glow Party
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Deluxe

All Student Reward & Incentive Ideas

💰
🎨
Pie a Teacher
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
Trip to the Treasure Box
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
Show & Tell
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Principal for a Day
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Pen Pouch
Grades K-8
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
Books
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
Game of Thrones
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Homework Pass
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Design the Bulletin Board
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
Picnic Lunch
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
Locker Choice
Grades 9-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Movie Posters
Grades 3-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
Teacher v Student Competition
Grades 6-12
School
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Hallway High-Five
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Backpack
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
💰
🎨
Vote
Grades 6-8
Student
Privilege
Free

All Virtual Reward Ideas for Schools

🎉
👑
🎁
Host a Virtual Party. 🎶
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Stickers
Grades K-5
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Brain Break
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Teacher Q&A
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Virtual Talent Show. 🎤
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Virtual Field Trip
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Certificate of Achievement
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Extra Computer Games
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Podcast
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Morning Meeting Leader
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Student Spotlight Board
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Show & Tell
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Classroom DJ
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Digital Escape Rooms
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Privilege
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Positive Note or Call Home
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Donate $1
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
See all Rewards

Want more ideas?

Rewards that Rock 🎸 has 100+ rewards, incentives, and event ideas to build your school culture.
Find Rewards
Learn more about the author, 
Jordan Pruitt
 

Subscribe via Email

Receive the best school culture resources monthly to inspire your planning.

Bring a positive culture to life with school-wide points

Schedule a Demo