Secret Student: A Classroom Management Strategy

Keeping students engaged and maintaining a calm, focused classroom can be challenging, especially when chatter starts to take over. That’s where the Secret Student strategy comes in—a simple, positive reinforcement tool that’s not only effective but also exciting for students!

What Is the Secret Student?

The Secret Student is a behavior management technique designed to promote quiet, focused behavior while keeping students motivated. Here’s how it works:

1. Selection: At the start of the class or activity, the teacher secretly selects a student.
2. Observation: Throughout the designated time, the teacher observes the behavior of the Secret Student to see if they meet classroom expectations, such as working quietly or following the rules.
3. The Reveal: At the end of the period, if the Secret Student has met the expectations, the teacher announces their name and they earn a reward, privilege, or recognition of some sort. If they did not meet the expectations, it is announced (without revealing which child it was) that the Secret Student did not meet the expectations and a new one will be chosen. 
4. Pass It On: If the Secret Student was successful, they draws a new name from a container (kept out of sight of the class where only the teacher can read the name). This keeps everyone wondering, "Could I be next?"  If the Secret student did not meet expectations, the teacher will draw the next name and start over. 

Why It Works

This strategy works wonders because it’s rooted in positive reinforcement. Instead of focusing on who isn’t following the rules, the emphasis is on rewarding good behavior. Plus, the element of mystery keeps students on their toes—they all want to be the Secret Student!

Setting Up Secret Student in Your Classroom

Prepare the Name Container
Write each student’s name on a slip of paper and place them in a container. Ensure it’s discreet so students can’t see the names being drawn.

Establish Expectations
Clearly define what behaviors you’re looking for (e.g., staying seated, working quietly, raising hands to speak). Discuss these with your class so everyone knows how to succeed.

Announce the Game
Introduce the concept of the Secret Student and explain how it works. Highlight that the name remains a secret until the end of the period.

Offer Meaningful Rewards
Rewards don’t need to be extravagant. Simple incentives like a sticker, extra computer time, a positive note home, or being the line leader for the day can be enough to keep students motivated.

Celebrate Success
When the Secret Student is revealed and has met expectations, celebrate their success with enthusiasm! If they didn’t meet the criteria, remind the class of expectations and keep the student’s name anonymous.

Pro Tips for Success

Mix It Up: Occasionally choose two Secret Students to encourage teamwork or cooperation.

Keep It Fair: Make sure every student gets a chance to participate by rotating through the class evenly.

Stay Positive: Even if the Secret Student doesn’t meet expectations, use the opportunity to reinforce the rules gently rather than discourage them.

Why Teachers Love It

The Secret Student strategy is effective because it combines positive reinforcement, student ownership, and an element of surprise. It’s simple to implement and doesn’t disrupt your teaching flow. Over time, you’ll notice a shift in classroom behavior as students self-regulate in hopes of being the next Secret Student.