Education is a Participation Sport

I know that that sounds very simplistic and, with all the extra regulations piled on us, that is hard. But, one of the hardest things to accomplish is to get our students or your children or maybe you, if you are a student, involved. Well, I developed a way to do this and I have been using it for a long time. I have used this as a middle school and high school teacher in NC and SC. I don't know if it would work at the elementary level, but might.

I call this is my "Participation Point System". I introduce it to my students by telling them that in our 'no-cut' society, anyone who tries out for many football teams makes the team - heaven forbid we should cut someone and make them feel bad. But, in order to get a Varsity Letter, you have to either become a starter or a key substitute. You do that by participating. The more you participate, the better you become and the further you might go.

In class, I give points. But, to earn a point, the student has to raise their hand and be called on. I learned a long time ago that calling on someone and asking them a question usually gets the 'deer in a headlight look'. But, I also learned, as an instructor in the Army, the A-P-C Method or Ask-Pause-Call Method. This is where you ask a question, pause to let the students think and then call on someone who indicates readiness.

My students need to raise their hand. I decide who to call on and they answer. Now, you are thinking, you probably call on your favorites. No, I actually keep track of the points and try to 'spread the wealth'. This is all pointed out and illustrated to the students. When a few students raise their hands, I call on the one with the fewest points this day. Or, if a student who rarely raises his/her hand responds, I call on that student.

What does this accomplish? Well, it gets them involved. It also lets them know that every student is equal and has an equal chance. Why is this important? I will discuss each point.

In our society today, many schools have minimum grade policies - the kid does nothing and is given a 50 or 60 on their first report card so they won't be traumatized by the 20 or even, heaven forbid, the zero they deserve. I think this is the worst policy a school could have. Nevertheless, in my class, many students who do not participate in other classes are active in mine. Why? Because they get something for it. Many of the kids today will do nothing for free. However, the benefit of my program is that the kids learn how to become involved and how this involvement keeps them awake and they learn more. Then they start participating more in other classes.

Also, in our schools, and you all had a teacher like this, we have teachers who have 'pets'. Or they have students who they like and some they don't. This is not a problem or a perception in my class. At the end of grading period, if a student has the points, their grade is improved up to three (3) points. If they don't have them, there is no improvement and the child gets what he/she deserves. It is all documented and on the progress report I print up.

They key here is the maximum of three points. If a student has a 90 but they have been participating all grading period, they earn those extra 3 to give them that "A" rather than a "B". If they have a 68, they may earn a 71 and a "D" as opposed to an "F". Now, you ask, what if they earn more than 3 points? Good question.

The first grading period, the Participation Points are awarded based on 1:30 or one point (grade) for every thirty points (participation). The second is 1:60 and the third and last is 1:90 all based on the block semester system. This can be modified to accommodate a year-long schedule. If a student knows that his/her points will carry over, they will continue to build them up as they understand they will need them more the final grading period.

How do the students earn points? Two ways. The first I give to them, the second, they earn.

I give them 'Bathroom Points'. I will never deny a child the right top go to the bathroom. But, many ask when they just want to get out of class. Well, if they are out of class, they can't learn. So, I keep them in class. I give them 30 participation points as 'bathroom points' at the beginning of each grading period. Each time they go to the bathroom, they lose ten (10) points. But, they only lose the points during 'my time'. If I am teaching, it is my time. If they are watching a video, doing a project, taking a test, etc., it is their time. If they go more than three times, they start losing points at the rate of -5 each instance - more on that follows.

The second way is by participating - positively - in class. This is how they get points:

A. Participating positively in class: Answer question correctly - 2 // Good Question on topic - 2 // Good try at answering - 1 // Volunteer to read - 1 // Relevant question - 1 // Miscellaneous 'attaboy' - 1 // Helping in class - 1

B. Participating positively administratively: Returning parent-signed items - 5

How do they lose points? All school rules will be enforced and any violation will result in 5 points being deducted from your participation total. And, their negative behavior in class results in negative points:

A. School related: Suspended (OSS) -10 /// Suspended (ISS) -5 (yes, if they get in a fight in another class and get suspended, they lose points in mine. Remember, they cannot learn if they aren't here and it is their behavior that caused them not to be in class.)

B. Class related: Sleeping -5 /// Dress code violation -5 /// Tardy -5 /// Unprepared -5 /// Warning about behavior -5 /// Disruption -5 /// Littering in class -5

Now, as you look at these and try to make excuses or look for inequities, remember, at no time is their grade they have earned through their work affected in a negative way. This is only a way to benefit them. I have had students with -45 points at the end of the grading period and they got the grade they earned. A student is never punished - it is always a way to benefit their participation.

Some of you are asking, how do you keep track? Well, I use a three-color pen and have the spreadsheet roster in front of me. I use red when they read (get it, r-for-r), green for administrative (handing out papers, etc.) and blue/black for asking or answering. If a parent asks how their child is doing, I can tell them how and in what manner.

Bottom-line, this system works. Try to use it and see if your kids don't do better in class. Later, I will discuss some of the other items above such as: Disruption, Sleeping, and Unprepared.