Hi, I'm new to the concept of WBT and am very interested in using this technique next year. I teach 6th grade and am trying to figure out how I can make this work for my class.

Here's my situation:

I try not to give unnecessary homework to my students.

The usual homework I assign (although some kids finish a lot of it in class) is write spelling words, practice new math concepts, answer questions in History and Science relating to that day's lesson, finish a language page if not completed in class.

Can the smile/frown scoreboard work if you just give extra homework if the frowns are ahead at the end of the day? I really don't want to reduce my core homework assignments. I feel like they are necessary. Or should I "pad" my homework assignments with extra work so that I can then reduce it?

Or...

What about keeping the score for a week and giving a prize or punishment based on the tally on Friday? Is a week too long?

Thanks fo any input,
sawtelle

I change my scoreboard on a weekly sometimes daily basis. You are not limited to choosing one way to do things, so I am sure you will come up lots of different scoreboard incentives once you begin.

Homework:

I give homework three times per week, I usually pad the assignment to have one or two extra questions, that they don't really have to do - if I want them to win. If I don't think they should win for that day, then I don't assign any extra homework, they are just stuck with their orginal amount.

One the days that we are not playing to reduce the homework assignment, do other things like - bonus points, or quiz vs. game. On a week where are reviewing for a test, I will play all week long to bank time to play a game on Friday. I teach 7th grade, so I am sure 6th graders could handle a week of banking time.

**I also use free time, I let them bank free time for Fridays, and it usually amounts to about four or five minutes, where they can work puzzles, work on HW, talk to their friends. They work really really hard for this, so I don't use it too often, because I don't want the novelty to wear off. This idea doesn't work for everyone, but my students and I love it!

The scoreboard game is the best way to manage your class in any grade. When you first start out next year, start with something they are going to definately want...early release. What upper grade kid doesn't want to leave class early? If leaving early is not an option then let them talk to their neighbor for that amount of time; keep it short...our motto is maximum effort for little reward. You can add a minute later in the year when you need to bolster the spring time blues.

We try and stay away from the reward being more or less homework. That's a philisophical discussion we could have for days, but the best reward for the scoreboard game is one of our educational games. Since you're new check them out on this site. If you have more questions...keep posting, we're all here to help.

Chris R.