Engagement Strategies That Work Part 4: Teacher Vs. Students
I've been in a lot of classrooms this year as a literacy coach, and let me tell you—I’m learning so much! One of my core beliefs is to always be a life-long learner, and I’m constantly on the lookout for new ways to improve my practice, gain fresh ideas, and stay inspired.
I spend a lot of time with second-year teachers, and I’ve been picking up so many great insights from them. In the next few blog posts, I’ll be sharing some of the positive incentives and engagement strategies that really work in the classroom and bring in a lot of joy. Stay tuned!
Part 4: Teacher Vs. Students
Do you have competitive students in your class this year? Use it to your advantage!
One of my favorite whole-class incentives as a classroom teacher was playing "Teacher vs. Students"—a game I adapted from whole brain teaching.
Here’s my twist on it:
During the "I Do/We Do" portion of your lesson (or any whole group time), quickly draw a T-chart on your whiteboard. Label one side "Teacher" and the other side "Students."
As you teach, give your students a point (this could be a tally mark, a counter, or whatever you prefer) when they demonstrate the positive behaviors you’re looking for—whether it’s participating fully, focusing on the activity, waiting to be called on before speaking, or sitting like a pretzel, mountain, or mermaid (whatever works in your classroom!). Narrow it down in the beginning to one specific behavior you hope to see.
Click the photo to snag a print and go game board.
But here’s the fun part: if you find yourself working extra hard (a.k.a. having to remind them of that behavior), give yourself a point! Because let’s be real, you’re putting in the work and you deserve it!
When I first introduce this to students, I go all out—I ham it up, make it a fun, lighthearted competition. When students earn a point, I make a BIG deal out of it. In the beginning, they rack up points like crazy because I want them to feel the immediate satisfaction of beating me, their lovely teacher, at this wholesome game.
Sometimes, this game alone is enough. In certain years and certain classes, that’s all it takes. But then, there are those years—you know the ones—where you need to pull out a little extra magic to keep things running smoothly. That’s when I like to tie in a simple, tangible reward for winning.
At the end of the lesson, day, or week, the class earns a reward. It could be a 30-second dance party or adding a pom-pom to the class rewards jar that gets them closer to a pajama party.
I always involve the students in choosing the reward because I want it to be something they’re excited to work toward. And the best part? The reward never has to cost money—because hello, we’re educators! But we absolutely want our students to feel appreciated for their hard work.
What I love most about this game is how it turns classroom management into something fun and positive. Instead of focusing on what students aren’t doing, you’re highlighting the great things they are doing—and that energy becomes contagious. Plus, it’s a great way to bond with your class while still keeping them accountable. So much joy can be found in playing a game with students!
So, if you have a competitive bunch this year, give "Teacher vs. Students" a try. Trust me, it’s a game-changer (pun intended)! And remember, the best part isn’t about the points or the rewards—it’s about creating a classroom where everyone wants to work hard and succeed together.
I’d love to hear how it works for you! Let me know what rewards your students come up with, and feel free to share any fun twists you add to make it your own!
I'm excited to share a few strategies that I've seen make a difference and bring more joy into the classroom. Stay tuned for part 5, where I’ll share a highly motivating and joyful idea involving a class pet.
