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Table Points and Classroom Management

Classroom management is THE most important thing in my classroom. One management tool I use is for group management. Over the years, I've used a few different table point systems and this is by far my favorite and most effective. I have 5 table groups and my kiddos are grouped heterogenous. Some years I have 4 kids per table, but with class size going up, I've got 6 per table.

I've never been a huge fan of posting table points with tally marks on the board because I thought it wasn't immediate for my scholars. And let's be honest, how many times have you had to erase a point and you end up erasing a bunch. Not fun!

So here's what I came up with:

Hang the table point sign above each group {I label my groups with the vowels}

Next, I use clothespins as points {way easier than tally marks}. It's insanely effective. The look on a chatty group's face when you give a table point {clothespin} to a quiet table. I promise you, they'll get quiet right way. This year, I decided to dye my clothespins to make them cute. Like I have nothing more important to do. But at the time, I didn't have a new contract so I had some free time! Ok, back on topic!

This year, I created “bonus points” {as pictured with the owl}. It was literally an on-the-spot decision when I really needed the class to get something done quickly and quietly. I just took a dye cut and taped it to a clothespin.

At the end of the week, we count up table points. I've done candy, junk food, and other treats. But that adds up and I wanted to make it easier. One year, I bought chair cushions {the cheapie kind you tie to the chair to cushion your booty} and the table winner got to use them for the next week. The start of this year has been crazy so I haven't had a chance to look for them.

So…look closely at the pink book box on the ground by the desks. Every table has one with books in it.

But, the table point winner gets my special Read Alouds from the week. They absolutely love it. I couldn't believe it the first week, during Fun Friday, the table point winners chose to read their new books instead of doing a free activity {which included going on the computer!!!}.

So many great options for the winners. How do you use table points?

My name is Kristen and I’ve enjoyed teaching kindergarten, first grade, a 1/2 combo, and second grade. I’ve taught at both a low and high-performing Title I schools as well as a few fancy schools in California and O’ahu, Hawaii. I’ve earned my Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in reading in addition to my Reading Specialist Certificate. When I am not teaching my scholars or other educators at Professional Development classes, I enjoy creating materials to share with my colleagues, organizing family literacy events, and giving workshops on ways to make Literacy Workshop effective and engaging.

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