TimeTEX Motivation Board "The Smiley Race"

This printed magnetic board playfully teaches children to do their homework regularly and stick to the class rules. This places an emphasis on the pupils' good behaviour, rewards it and therefore strengthens it.

The goal, just like in a race, is to try and be the first one to cross the line. The first pupil to reach the goal can decide on the "bonus" offered. All the other pupils whose smiley is in the green zone can join in. 

Specifications:

• simple rules
• simple procedures
• playful implementation
• easy to manage
• little time requirement for teachers
  

The idea:

Improvement of the pupils' work and social behaviour through recognition and reward. This means pupils of all performance levels have the same chance of positive feedback.
Because there are 5 different magnetic disc smileys with 6 pieces each, it can also be used for group work.

For more information, click: Smiley Race

Use: primary school, secondary school up to vocational school (for all class levels) can be used up until vocational school

Markable: for up to 30 pupils, with a whiteboard marker (wipeable)

Contents:

• magnet board approx. 60 x 90 cm, with wooden frame and wall fixture material
• "Smiley Kit" consisting of 35 magnetic discs, adhesive on both sides, diameter approx. 2 cm (faces)
• whiteboard marker with round tip, black ink
• including right to the contents of the download centre for the ""Smiley Race"", e.g. certificates, class lists, and much more in A4
• 1 each of gold, silver and bronze certificates in A4, as well as 1 class list - finishes in A4
• Stickers for labelling the blackboard in English and French
• comprehensive, colourful instructions with teaching notes  

Size: approx. 60 x 90 cm with wooden frame

The concept

Many teachers experience every day in their lessons that pupils are very restless and can easily be distracted from the actual teaching process. In addition, daily instruction is disturbed by the fact that many pupils do not do their homework regularly.

There are lots of systems, rules and methods that should curb these problems. It is usually their aim to limit disruptive behaviour in lessons. This, however, unintentionally leads to negatively conspicuous pupils receiving more attention from the teacher through warnings, threatened measures etc. than those who always abide by the rules.

We then came up with the idea of developing a system that would playfully focus on the positive behaviours of the pupils and recognise and reward them. After several test and development phases, the "Smiley Race" grew from this basic idea.

The "Smiley Race" is - as the name suggests - laid out like a race track. The goal is to try and be the first one to cross the line. You can only manage that by doing homework regularly and sticking to the mutually agreed class rules.

The size of the "Smiley Race" board means that pupils can always keep their eye on their position within the race. Visualising the position of all the smileys ensures transparency and serves as an incentive for other pupils to catch up or overtake.

The system shouldn't be used to evaluate performance in class, rather just the work and social behaviour.

The "smiley race" offers a chance to receive positive feedback, especially for underachieving pupils.

Teachers who have introduced this system in their lessons have reported positive reactions from their pupils.

• focus on positive behaviours, reward and reinforce them
• playful implementation, little time required
• easy to manage
• with different smiley magnetic platelets