Kerplunk Game for Classroom Management
This is my secret classroom management idea, play a game so the kids don’t know it’s actually helping them complete a goal by doing work. Well, it’s not really a secret because I have had this Kerplunk game for 4 years now and loving sharing it with you mostly on my Instagram. So many of you reached out to me about how to use it in your classroom and how it works.
Where to buy the Kerplunk Game:
Now before I get ahead of myself, just know that this giant Kerplunk game pictured above is no longer available on Amazon, where I originally got it (also heard it was from Toy R Us). You can find it on second hand platforms like eBay, Mercari, etc.
What’s even more budget-friendly is to just get the regular-sized one, it will work just as well. Now, some of you have searched high and low for mine and I love all the places you did find it for second-hand like Mercari, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace. So be on the lookout there too for the same one I use.
How To Play:
The game itself is super simple. The goal is to pull the sticks out and not let the balls drop. The person who drops the last ball loses (kinda like Jenga). Now in the classroom, the students want the balls to drop because it will allow them to get a reward. Also, be sure to tell the kids that it takes TIME lol, one stick pulled out or even 10 doesn’t mean the balls will fall.
First, I first start by coming up with something that the whole class needs to work on. Sometimes the students even have a goal for us like getting a compliment in the hallway, the whole class remembering all their things packing up, getting all their sight words correct for the week etc.
Next, once we have picked our goal, every time it happens a student gets to pull a stick out. I keep track of who has pulled the sticks out so everyone gets a turn.
Lastly, when all the balls have fallen the students earn a reward that we also come up with it at the beginning like fuzzy sock day, extra recess, directed drawing/craft, etc.
Kerplunk game can fit your needs!
The best part about this game is that you get to make it fit YOUR needs in YOUR classroom for YOUR students (okay I’m done saying your lol). The possibilities are endless, any goal, any reward all year long for continuous fun. I also have used it for individual students who may need extra practice in a specific area just for them. I use the small kerplunk game for this.
Free Sign
Now, most Keprlunk games have a hole at the bottom to get the balls out, duh. But it’s hard to keep them in there until the game is over because this can take days and/or weeks. I have some free signs to cover them in my TPT store. Click here to grab them or the picture below. Be sure to tag me on Instagram at MoveMountainsInKindergarten if you use this in your classroom.
