I am a big believer in a soft start to class. If I can get everyone settled into their seats and in an academic mindset in the first five minutes of class, if everyone is focussed and ready to learn (ok, almost everyone, this is middle school), that is a middle school classroom management WIN we are much more likely to have a successful period together. Middle schoolers need time to “come down” from whatever happened in between classes, and I need a few moments to reset from the last class and reconnect with these students and settle in with them.
I tried a lot of different classroom management approaches to ensure a soft start in my classroom, but once I’d been using stamp sheets for a few weeks, I knew my trial and error period was over.
The soft start, and the improvements I’ve seen in my own classroom management from implementing stamp sheets, is my why for sharing this with you. Let’s get into the what, how and why.
What Stamp Sheets Look Like in a Middle School Classroom
When I talk about stamp sheets, if you are completely unsure what I mean, think of an incentive tracker, or a behavior passport, for every student, every day you see them.
And no, it isn’t a lot of work for you.
Every student has their own stamp sheet, with a spot for each of the tangible things they will need to do or complete in that class period.
Stamps aren’t difficult to earn. In fact, the first stamp my students earn every day is for being in their seat on time. Easy breezy, but it makes our whole class more productive. Stamps are for completion, not accuracy, so every student can see themselves being successful.
How I Implement Stamp Sheets
Yes, I’m really talking about rubber stamps. Giving students their stamps generally fits easily into my circulating and monitoring student work. You can also delegate to a trusted student or establish norms for a table leader to stamp.
Each week when I am planning, I make sure to be very clear with myself what actions I will want students to take. I clearly define the behaviors or goals I wish to track, ensuring they align with the values and expectations of my classroom and current student needs.
I print the weekly stamp sheets for next week before I leave school on Thursday, one stack for each section. On Monday, students take their stamp sheets as they come into the room and get to work.
I also include a “quote of the week” on my stamp sheets by a diverse figure from around the world to provide motivation. Analyzing the quote one way or another helps us to practice and model for one another inferencing and critical thinking skills.
Why Stamp Sheets Work in my Middle School Classroom
Stamp sheets are easy to work into existing incentive systems. My students get an agency grade each week based on their stamp sheet which is 25% of their total grade. I also give them PBIS Bucks based on their number of stamps or “points” for the week as long as the stamp sheet was turned in on time.
More importantly, stamp sheets show students HOW to be successful. They break class and projects down into smaller, attainable milestones to provide students with a sense of progress and accomplishment along the way. Additionally, the criteria and expectations are clear to students, ensuring they understand visually and at their own seat what they need to do that day
Stamp sheets are a catalyst for better self management and behavior. Incorporating stamp sheets as incentive trackers in the middle school classroom can be a powerful tool for motivating students and establishing clear expectations. By making progress visible, removing bias from grading, and fostering student ownership, this routine creates an environment that values effort, growth, and collaboration.
