Why You Should Rethink a Point System for Classroom Management

At first glance, it can seem like a simple point system can be a great alternative to other classroom rewards. It requires no prep or materials other than a writing utensil. However, it likely won’t be as effective as you might think. I’m going to share a few reasons why you should rethink a point system for classroom management and what you can use instead!

What is a Point System?

Classroom management point systems can take many different forms, but there are a couple of common methods that we’ll focus on in this post:

• Table Points: Students are assigned to a group based on where they’re sitting. This could be a grouping of desks or a table. The teacher hands out points to tables that are meeting expectations. There is usually a reward received by the table with the highest number of points by the end of the day, week, or month.
• Beat the Teacher: In this point system, the teacher gives the class a point when they’re meeting expectations. If they don’t, the teacher gets the point. Again, there is usually a reward given if the students end up with more points than the teacher.

While there are other ways that teachers might use a point system, this gives you an idea of how points might be used for behavior management. Unfortunately, a point system isn’t the most effective method for encouraging positive behavior in the classroom.

Why You Should Rethink a Point System for Classroom Management

1. Points Are Abstract

The first challenge of point systems is that points can be very abstract for young learners. They are still learning how to count with one-to-one correspondence, so a group of tally marks on the whiteboard likely isn’t the most effective way to track progress toward a reward.

2. Points Create Competition

Table points are notorious for creating unnecessary competition between students. As we work to build community in our classroom, it seems counterintuitive to create an ongoing, daily competition between the students. 

It’s human nature to aspire to win a competition, which is why it’s understandable that teachers turn to table points as a motivator. However, there can be unintended consequences for the classroom community. For example, students will quickly realize who they don’t want to sit with because those students are prone to talking or misbehaving. This undermines classroom community in a big way!

3. Points Can Impact Relationships

A point system can also impact your relationships with your students, especially when using a “beat the teacher” format. One time, my third grader had a sub who used a point system like this. My very well-behaved kid came home and thought the sub was very mean to the class because she just wanted to win.

Relationships are at the heart of classroom management, so it just doesn’t make sense to create a classroom management system that can undermine your relationship with your students. It might seem like fun on the surface, but there will be students in the classroom who will start to question your motives in the decisions you make. After all, you have your own points to win!

4. Points Draw More Attention to Misbehavior

Even though points are given when students are meeting expectations, they are actually drawing more attention to misbehavior. Let’s say you’re giving a point to the first table group who has their belongings put away and is sitting quietly. That immediately puts a spotlight on the students who are not doing what they’re supposed to be doing.

In some cases, that can actually encourage students to take longer to follow directions because it gives them power over the rest of their group. They enjoy the feeling of successfully sabotaging the points for their table and the attention it brings.

5. Points Are Less Effective

Overall, points are less effective than other classroom management systems because they don’t typically target specific behavior goals. When students don’t have a clear understanding of what’s expected of them, they are less likely to demonstrate expected behaviors. 

What to Use Instead of Points

A whole class reward system is a much better way to encourage positive behavior in the classroom. 

• It Builds Community: Students work together towards a common goal instead of competing against each other with table points.
• It Focuses on One Behavior: A whole group reward system focuses on a specific behavior that you want to improve. Students will know exactly what it takes to earn a piece of the whole class reward.

• It’s Concrete: As students demonstrate the target behavior, they earn a piece of the reward. For example, this cookie sheet reward system creates a clear visual that helps students see how many cookies they’ve earned and how many they have left to earn the reward.
• It Rewards Positive Behavior: When you use a whole-class reward system, you can watch for students who are meeting the behavior expectation. When you see that a student is demonstrating the target behavior, you can give them the chance to add a token to the board. It’s amazing how quickly this can encourage other students to follow suit!

Printable Reward System for Kindergarten

Would you like a simple whole-class reward system to use in your classroom? I’ve put together a bundle of seasonal cookie sheet rewards that will last you all year! Your students will thrive on the consistent format of this reward but the seasonal cookies will keep it fresh and engaging for them. This bundle includes everything you need to get this reward system up and running in no time at all!

If you’d like to take a closer look at all of the different options included in this money-saving bundle, you can find it in the Teaching Exceptional Kinders shop or in my TPT store.

Save These Classroom Management Tips

Be sure to save this post so you can come back to it later! Just add the pin below to your favorite Pinterest board of classroom management ideas. You’ll be able to quickly find these tips and resources when you’re looking for ways to support behavior in your classroom.