The PAX Good Behavior Game
The PAX Good Behavior Game is a well researched classroom strategy for helping students learn self management. Students learn that PAX behavior is expected, kind, safe, and responsible behavior for the classroom environment in which the game is played. Unexpected behavior is called a Spleem. The PAX Game might occur during math or reading, during transitions or any activity likely to challenge the students’ ability to stay focused and positive. Teachers ask students to predict what the PAX and spleems might be for the upcoming activity. The class is divided into teams of 3-5 students and for the duration of the game, the teacher announces and records each team’s spleems on a chart (without mentioning any individual student’s name). The teacher also points out PAX behaviors. At the end of the game time, every team that has three or fewer spleems is rewarded with a “prize” activity such as a minute of dancing around or a 10-second giggle fest.
PAX Games are brief at first — a few minutes — then increase in length as students consistently “win” 4 out of 5 games (equivalent to 80%). Eventually, students will be able to play the Good Behavior Game for 30 to 45 minutes, greatly increasing their fully engaged learning time. Older children can learn to play for even longer. The active, fun, intrinsic reward activities teach children two related skills: how to self-regulate under conditions of excitement and how to self-regulate when one doesn’t “win” or achieve a desired goal immediately. These are lifetime skills, involving different neural circuits than paying attention to learning.
