The Game of Classroom Management

Even though I have been teaching for 7+ years, I find myself every August trying to figure out how I am going to organize my classes differently so that I can be most productive. This year I began teaching Sports & Entertainment Marketing, which got me thinking. Why can't everyday be a game. So I decided to format my classes in a way that follows a typical football game, with a few minor changes. The format for my 90 minute block is below:

Pre-Game Warm Up: 15 minutes
(students read over articles, prep for presentatons, etc.)

First Quarter: 15 minutes
(review/new information)

Time-Out: 5 minutes
(students use bathroom/stretch/ask questions)

Second Quarter: 15 minutes
(new material or quiz/test)

Time-Out: 5 minutes
(students use bathroom/stretch/ask questions)

Third Quarter: 15 minutes
(new material/project time)

Time-Out: 5 minutes
(students use bathroom/stretch/ask questions)

Fourth Quarter: 15 minutes
(review the day, assign homework, follow-up)

I know what you are thinking, yes I give them 15 minutes of breaks, but I do it for a couple of reasons.

The first is that it helps to limit destractions. They know they are supposed to use the restroom or get a drink during this time, so they don't ask during instruction time.

Second, my school division is big on brain-based learning strategies. This summer they gave us a list of suggestions that included things like chunking material, students moving around, having a mint or gum 5 minutes before a test, and many others that work well with this format.

You may have also noticed that I listed quiz/test during 2nd Quarter. I do this so that I allow the kids the Pre-Game Warm Up to self-review, and 1st Quarter for us to review as a class. I don't give a lot of paper/pencil quizzes or tests, so I want to give them the best chance for success.

This is just my way of doing things this year. I hope it may get the creative juices flowing for some of you.

If you have other ideas please share them as well.