Set limits creatively.

The fifth graders in Jade Cooney’s classroom compete against a kitchen timer during lessons to see how long they can sustain good behavior—raising hands, disagreeing respectfully and looking one another in the eye—without losing time to insults or side conversations.

As reward for minutes without misconduct, they win prizes like 20 seconds to kick their feet up on their desks or to play rock-paper-scissors. Teachers are some of the most creative folks around.

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