March is here, and if you teach kids who have been cooped up all winter, you know exactly what that means—spring fever is real. My third graders have officially entered the “we-have-so-much-energy-we-might-explode” phase, and honestly, I get it. We’ve spent months bundled up in Wisconsin winter, and now the sun is peeking out, the snow is (mostly) melting, and recess energy is at an all-time high.
So, how do I channel that enthusiasm into something productive? Enter: March Madness Behavior Bingo—a little incentive program I put together to encourage teamwork, focus, and positive behavior while keeping things fresh and fun.
Why Positive Reinforcement Works (Even When Spring Fever Hits)
Let’s be real—sometimes classroom management feels like trying to herd squirrels. But research consistently shows that positive reinforcement is one of the most effective ways to shape behavior. Instead of constantly correcting the negatives, focusing on the positives increases motivation, builds confidence, and creates a more encouraging classroom environment (Skinner, 1953).
Studies have found that when students receive consistent, immediate reinforcement for positive behaviors, they are more likely to repeat those behaviors long-term (Maag, 2001). And let’s be honest—kids thrive on recognition. A simple, “Hey, I saw how you helped your classmate clean up. That was awesome!” can go further than a lecture about why they shouldn’t leave a mess.
That’s exactly why this Bingo challenge works—it’s all about noticing and reinforcing the good. Instead of focusing on “Who’s talking?” or “Who forgot their materials again?”, we shift to “Wow! Look at that amazing teamwork!”
Keeping Things Fresh: Why Novelty Matters
Another reason this Bingo board is a hit? It’s something different.
Routine is great, but research shows that introducing novel elements into a learning environment keeps kids engaged and motivates them to refocus on classroom expectations (Dunlap, 2006). By switching things up with a March Madness-style challenge, students get that extra push to stay on top of their behavior goals.
This isn’t just about handing out rewards—it’s about making behavior fun and engaging again. Plus, it taps into their love for sports and competition, which, for my group of third graders, is a guaranteed win.
Building Teamwork (Without Calling Kids Out)
One of my favorite parts of this challenge is that it’s collaborative. The whole class works together to earn Bingos, which means peer accountability kicks in. Instead of singling out one student for struggling to transition quietly, we frame it as:
“Can we all make this hallway transition amazing? That’s one step closer to Bingo!”
Research on cooperative learning shows that when students work toward a shared goal, they’re more likely to encourage and support each other (Johnson & Johnson, 2009). And an added bonus? Less individual calling-out. Instead of making one kid feel bad for not following expectations, we focus on group success—which, in turn, often encourages everyone to step up.
The Power of Reflection
At the end of each day (or week), I like to take a few minutes with my students to reflect:
- Did we earn any Bingos today?
- What did we do really well?
- What could we improve on tomorrow?
This little moment of self-check-in helps students take ownership of their behavior. Self-reflection is a key piece of social-emotional learning and helps students develop the ability to monitor their own choices (Zimmerman, 2002).
And the best part? They’re excited to reflect because they want to see how close they are to earning their next Bingo.
How It Works & How You Can Use It
My March Madness Behavior Bingo board is simple:
Six in a row = BINGO! Each Bingo earns a small reward (which I let students help decide). Focus areas include teamwork, responsibility, transitions, participation, and organization. Students work together to reach their goal.
If you want to try this with your own students, you can grab the March Madness Behavior Bingo resource [here] (You’ll need to be a subscriber to get to the Freebies page).
It’s been a game-changer in my room, and it might just be the fresh start your class needs this spring!
For more ideas on incorporating SEL into your classroom and promoting reflection, check out these SEL and growth mindset question cards. I use these every day in my classroom!
Comment below with implementation questions and ideas you have to build up your students!
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