Since I started teaching, I've rewarded individual students for exemplary behavior by choosing star students, or one or two children at the end of the class who have showcased exemplary behavior.

Those children get to roll a die for a reward, such as a sticker, a special seat in the next music class, or a prize from the prize box. It wasn't until a few years ago that I began rewarding whole-class behavior. I read “Classroom Management for Art, Music, and PE Teachers” by Michael Linsin, which is a great read for any special areas team.

In the book, the author outlined a four-point system for rewarding whole-class behavior. I adapted it a bit from the author's ideas, and have used it since with success. In each music class, students can earn up to four points:

  • 1 point for walking in quietly
  • 1 point for listening well
  • 1 point for good effort
  • 1 point for lining up quietly

This year, I broadened "good effort" to also include good effort in being kind to one another, since our schoolwide theme is kindness.

My former student-teacher uses the same system, but instead of "good effort," she changed it to "smooth transitions," which I love! I may actually switch to that in the future.

At the end of class, I tell students how many points they've earned, and tally them on a point chart.

When they reach the end of their row (which is 25 points), they get a reward day in their next music class. I teach 50-minute classes, so I give them half of the next music class — 25 minutes — to vote on what they'd like to do. I make a list on the board, they vote, and then we do the top two or three, depending on how long each activity takes.

Here is a picture of one first-grade class' choices, last year:

They absolutely love the reward days, and it's a great way to see what really resonates with students. After they've received all their points, I erase the points on the chart (which is laminated and easy to erase) and then we start over!

The point system has been a wonderful way to give specific feedback to students about their behavior and keep them motivated! I hope this inspires your classroom management system in your music room!