I’ve always broken down the school year into four emotional phases. In the first quarter, students are both excited and a bit cautious. By the second quarter, stretching from mid-fall to the holiday break, we usually find our rhythm and start to really gel. The third quarter can be tough—winter blues and a general sense of ennui make it emotionally challenging for everyone. The final quarter—my personal favorite despite its challenges—buzzes with energy as students shake off the stress of standardized tests and anticipate summer break. During this time, I was constantly on the lookout for ways to keep everyone motivated and engaged, often resorting to games, puns, memes, and rewards. Looking back, I wish I’d had this classroom management hack.
The hack? Raffle off rewards for good behavior with a “Whoa” Board!
TikToker @mskellibelli explains a really simple way for teachers to increase their classroom management and engagement. First, she creates a chart on poster board with numbers on one side and letters on the other. When she “catches” someone being good, she writes their initials on a random square in the chart. When the board is full, she draws a raffle for one of the squares, and the person with the initials in that box wins a prize.
Let’s check it out:
If I were still teaching, I’d kick off the year with this “Whoa” Board. As the year progresses, I’d ramp up the excitement with increasingly appealing rewards, saving the best for last—like my famous chocolate chip cookies packed in Tupperware during the final quarter, when motivation is most needed. I absolutely love this classroom management hack!
What others are saying:
Not all comment sections are valuable on social media, but this TikTok video from @mskellibelli has a lot of great tips! See for yourself.
My favorite moment to highlight is when a student stands up for others in class. I love those moments!
Laminating: never a bad idea.
Again—maybe for my fellow math teachers, laminate a 100s chart and use it over and over again!
Do what works best for you. Three individual prizes feels like a lot for me (especially if I am already scrambling for cute pencil-top erasers as it is), but I love the idea of a class reward!
A way to sneak in a lesson on probability? Count me in, @mrskellibelli!
Just make sure to be aware of this if you plan on using this classroom management hack this coming fall. Be prepared!
I agree, Taryn! I wish I could try this out with my students!
The crowd agrees! I couldn’t find a single negative feedback comment from fellow teachers on this “Whoa” Board technique.
This Whoa Board introduced by @mskellibelli is such a great classroom management hack. It’s a dynamic way to navigate the school year’s emotional highs and lows while keeping students engaged and motivated. Whether you’re dealing with the cautious curiosity of fall or the vibrant energy of spring, this hack adapts to the seasonal shifts in student mood and energy. By incorporating such strategies, teachers can create a more interactive and rewarding learning environment that not only supports educational goals but also fosters a sense of community and recognition among students. So, why not give this method a go? It might just be the game changer your classroom needs.
