What to do in a 25 minute class with 35 freshmen boys on a Friday with early dismissal for a city-wide high school rally

I say play a game!  Now, there was a time when I would’ve have attempted a game with my Freshmen boys.  I realized they were too rowdy and things got out of control.  The possibility of tempers flaring and fights erupting just made it not worth my while to attempt games!  So, why did it work this past Friday when I did it?  Well, the boys aren’t that different than the boys I had two years ago… but I am a bit different.  I’ve become a lot more familiar with the boys, the culture… I know what makes them tick… and what ticks them off!  Of course, I don’t know everything, but being here the past two years has really helped my classroom management!  I organized the game completely differently than I would’ve before. 

Here’s what we did.  We were having “Scripture Races”.  The guys got into groups of four.  Everyone has a Bible and looks up the verse I write on the board.  The first person to find it wins 4 pieces of candy (one for each of the members in his group).  This way even the students who are slower and have no chance of winning on their own may get a piece of candy if one of the other guys in their group finds the verse first.  Then, after about 4 or 5 rounds we switched it up.  You see, that’s about the time when they start getting antsy and distracted and start goofing off or fighting.   So, we switched up the game.  They chose the fastest member of their group and that member came to the front of the room.  Those 7 or 8 boys raced just against each other but still received 4 pieces of candy for their group if they won.   After 4 rounds I chose the 2 fastest boys and the rest of the class chose which of the final 2 contestants they’d support.  They moved their desks to one side of the room or the other and the classroom was divided almost equally.  They were so excited, if they hadn’t received any candy yet, this was the time they could get a piece since the 2 final contestants were playing for candy for their whole team (half the class).  They were chanting their contestant’s name.  I wish you could’ve seen it, or heard it… it sounded like the boys were cheering for the World Cup or something!  Best 2 out of 3… and I was so happy it was 1-1… the bell rang but none of the boys moved, they were too into the game.  After they final race was won they were shouting and cheering so loud I’m sure the whole school could hear it.   

What a great 25 minute class with my boys!   They’re so much fun.  I’m thankful I’ve learned enough that now I’m at the point where I can play a game with my boys’ classes and not worry about giving JUGS or demerits, or breaking up fights.