CHAMPS Classroom Management: Simple Strategies for Elementary Teachers
Looking for simple and effective CHAMPS classroom management strategies for your elementary classroom? You are in the right place. I have been there, and I am here to share some easy classroom management tips that actually work. We will start with CHAMPS behavior management posters and go from there.
How I Found the C.H.A.M.PS Classroom Management System
Many years ago, when I took on my first teaching job, I was fresh out of college, and I was working at a Title 1 school in Houston. I spent a lot of nights telling myself I had no idea how to handle kids with behavior problems. I had 28-second graders in my class.
Then one day after many complaints, my principal was able to get approval for a behavioral specialist to help out in my room. WHAT A BLESSING! She was seriously an angel sent from above. This lady had the BEST classroom management skills I have ever seen. She knew how to get kids to behave.
What was her secret, you ask? Use CHAMPS!
What is the CHAMPS Classroom Management System?
CHAMPS is an acronym for the pillars of your new winning classroom management. It’s easy to remember and easy to set up. Students will quickly learn what your expectations are and will know how and what they are supposed to be working on. For an in-depth explanation of it, you can read more about it on this website.
Ready to simplify your classroom management? The CHAMPS Behavior Clip Chart gives your students a clear visual for exactly how they should be working during every activity. Print it, hang it, done.
How to Teach it?
These CHAMPS classroom management strategies are pretty simple to teach! I use a clip down chart with posters as visuals. I walk my class through each one, and we practice. We practice, and practice, and then practice some more!
The CHAMPS Behavior Clip Chart makes teaching this system simple. Everything is laid out for you — just print, hang, and walk your students through it. No extra planning required.
C is for Conversation
Ask yourself, “how are students supposed to talk during this assignment”? Here I use a simple number system.
The numbers are:
- 0 = Silent
- 1 = Whisper
- 2 = A six in. voice where your group can hear you
- 3 = Normal conversation voice
- 4 = Presentation, everyone can hear you
H is for Help
Some of my students just want me to explain things over and over again until I am blue in the face. They have a hard time listening to me the first time, and once instructions are over, they forget how to ask for help. Once I started using my CHAMPS chart, they knew what to do if they got stuck. Giving them a visual on how they can get help will save you so much time. I promise!
Depending on the assignment, my students have set options on how to get help. The options are:
- Come see me
- Raise your hand
- Ask 3 before me
- No help (unless an emergency)
A is for Activity
Next, ask yourself what is your end goal and what should all of your students be doing. “A” stands for activity. My clip down chart only has three options.
- Whole group
- Partners / small group
- Independent
M is for Movement
One of the biggest problems I was having in my class was students getting up and moving around the room whenever they wanted. I had a few students who loved getting up and moving around the room. Seriously, some would just talk to the wall for an excuse to move.
Movement is one of the biggest ones we practice over and over again. You will be amazed at how quickly this issue will resolve by implementing CHAMPS.
The students are given three options depending on the activity they are working on.
- Stay in your seat
- Move with permission
- Responsible movement (this was for when they are working on daily 5 or math workshop)
P is for Participation
Here the students ask themselves, how do I show that I am participating. When working in small groups, I want students to be able to reflect on if they are being intentional and getting work done. Bye “fake reading” and bye “relying on one person in the group to do all of the work”!
I use my clip down chart and mark one of the bullets depending on if the activity is independent or group work. The options are:
- Listening with eyes and ears
- Reading and writing
- Respectful discussion
- Listen and take notes
Last but not Least, S
S is simple. If you follow all of the steps, then you will be Successful!
The CHAMPS Classroom Management Chart
I like using a clip down chart because it made the most sense in my room. I use ribbon to attach the posters and six clothespins to mark the correct bullet on each sign. You can grab a copy of my CHAMPS classroom management posters in my TPT store.
Every time we start a new activity, I move a clothespin to the right bullet. It is simple and effective. When a student is off task, I point to the sign to get them back on task.
More CHAMPS Classroom Management Tips and Ideas
If you have any questions about CHAMPS, leave a comment or send me a message and I would be happy to help you out. These CHAMPS classroom management techniques work for any elementary classroom. Also, if you want more classroom procedure ideas, check out my post on setting up classroom procedures. It’s perfect for reviewing class expectations, and there is a freebie that makes planning procedures easy!
Want your CHAMPS system ready before the first day of school? Grab the CHAMPS Behavior Clip Chart and CHAMPS Posters — your two must-haves for a smooth start to the year. Print them, hang them, and walk in ready.
These CHAMPS classroom management strategies work best when you introduce them during the first week of school. The more consistent you are with the system, the faster your students will internalize the expectations. Most teachers see a noticeable shift in behavior within the first two weeks.
Want a free social studies resource to go with your classroom management plan?
Grab my free Social Studies Yearly Overview, a complete pacing guide that maps out your entire year of social studies so you can walk in on day one with a plan.
