What

is the Good Behavior Game?

The Good Behavior Game is a strategy for limiting the

negative behaviors in the classroom and promoting
positive b ehavior.
It works by splitting the class into

two separate teams and awarding points to a team if
one of its m embers displays negative or inappropriate
behavior. A t the end of the d ay, the team with the
fewest number of points is awarded a group prize.

Who does it work for?

The Good Behavior Game can be u sed for any
classroom but it is recommended to be used for a first
or second grade classroom. It is best used at earlier
grade levels because the purpose is to teach
acceptable behaviors that can be carried into higher
grade levels. It also works well for students with
emotional or behavior disorders as well as students
with ADHD. It helps students overcome inappropriate
behavior in the classroom by positively reinforcing
them with a group prize for good behavior. It also
helps students learn to work together due to the team
structure of the game.

Benefits:

Tips:

Helps students
avoid inappropriate behavior

Post rules of the game somewhere in the classroom

Promotes acceptable behavior

Announce when a point has been scored

Promotes team work

Post scores of each team

Decreases the chance of inappropriate classroom

behavior occurring later in higher levels

Play game during periods when appropriate academic

behavior is expected

Steps for Implementing the Good Behavior Game:

Step 1: Schedule the game.
The teacher will decided when the game will be played. Try scheduling it during a period in
which the students are expected to show appropriate academic behavior such as content
instruction.
Step 2: Decide and clearly define which negative behaviors will be scored.
Try to focus on those negative behaviors that are u sual in your class and list them along
with a definition. It would be best to create a defined list that can be displayed in the
classroom for all students to see.
Step 3: Decide what the rewards for good b ehavior will be.
The teacher must decide what the rewards will be for the winning team and whether or
not the rewards will be daily or weekly.
Step 4: Introduce the game to the class.
The teacher must introduce the game to the class and clearly explain the rules. Allow the
students to ask questions in order to clear u p any misconceptions and then divide the class
into two separate teams.
Step 5: Start game.

The instructor will conduct class as usual with the exception of noting and scoring the
behavior
f each team.
It i2s -sided
recommended
ost the
cores
each team
Handout is pinappropriate
rofessional, clear,
and eonticing:
1-page
(no glue oto
r sptaples
wsith
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name
somewhere in the classroom so both teams can see where they stand. If the teacher
clear.
chooses, they can publicly announce when a team has earned a point for inappropriate
Reference citations
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be in Athe
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included
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o remind
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on). Provide a colored copy
to instructor. Upload handout to TRACS Resource Strategy Folder for peers.

References:
Donaldson, J. M., Wiskow, K. M., & Soto, P. L. (2015). Immediate and Distal Effects of the Good Behavior Game.

Journal Of Applied Behavior Analysis, 48(3), 685-689.
Lastrapes, R. E. (2014). Using the Good Behavior Game in an Inclusive Classroom. Intervention In School And

Clinic, 49(4), 225-229.
McKenna, J. W., & Flower, A. (2014). Get Them Back on Track: Use of the Good Behavior Game to Improve

Student Behavior. Beyond Behavior, 23(2), 20-26.