Streamline procedures, rules, and routines with the C.H.A.M.P.S classroom behavior management plan.
What Does CHAMPS Stand For In Classroom Management?
In classroom management, CHAMPS stands for Conversation, Help, Activity, Movement, Participation, and Success.
What Is the C.H.A.M.P.S Classroom Management Model?
C.H.A.M.P.S classroom management is a model that aims to improve student behavior plus strengthen learner engagement through a strategic system of clearly defined expectations.
It supports the idea that learners need to see and practice certain behaviors so that they are active participants in successfully managing their own conduct.
Consequently, the program frames procedures, routines, and rules in a way that is digestible for students, empowering them to make good behavioral choices.
How Does CHAMPS Work In the Classroom?
Think of C.H.A.M.P.S as a rubric consisting of criteria with descriptors.
The C.H.A.M.P.S acronym represents the criteria, and the descriptors reflect the expectations that you’ve set within each criterion.
While the criteria don’t change, the descriptors vary based on the task and/or the location of the activity.
In a sense, you’re creating a type of lesson plan for each activity, with clearly defined guidelines that students follow in order to produce a successful outcome.
Criteria for C.H.A.M.P.S Classroom Management Plan
Here is where you decide your CHAMPS classroom expectations.
C = Conversation = How will students engage with each other during the activity?
H = Help = What’s the process for seeking assistance or support?
A = Activity = What type of learning structure or format is it?
M = Movement = Are learners permitted to move about the classroom?
P = Participation = Which behaviors demonstrate active learning?
S = Success = Are students successful with their behavior for this task?
Descriptors for C.H.A.M.P.S Classroom Management
The number and type of descriptors you decide to use depend on the activity or task.
Examples follow.
Example 1: Literacy Centers
C
Conversation
How will students engage with each other during the activity?
0 Silence
1 Whispering
2 Partner Talking
3 Group Talking
4 Outside Voice
H
Help
What’s the process for seeking assistance or support?
0 Nearby peer
1 Help sign
2 Group help
3 Ask 3 before me
4 Seek teacher
A
Activity
What type of learning structure or format is it?
0 Small group
1 Partners
2 Independent
3 Whole group
4 Centers
5 Transition
M
Movement
Are learners permitted to move about the classroom?
0 Stay in your seat
1 Ask permission
2 Light movement
3 Get materials
4 Emergency only
P
Participant
Which behaviors demonstrate active learning?
0 Peer talking
1 Listening
2 Note-taking
3 On-task
4 Discussion
5 Read/write
S
Success
Are students successful with their behavior for this task?
Yes or No
Literacy Centers Selected Choices
C = Conversation – Speak with your partner if needed.
H = Help – Seek help from your partner or group.
A = Activity – You may work independently or with a partner.
M = Movement – Remain seated in your designated “Centers” area.
P = Participation – You should be reading, writing, and on-task.
S = Success – Yes! Let’s reach success!
Related Content: Classroom Procedures and Routines Checklist
Example 2: Transitioning from One Activity to Another
C
Conversation
How will students engage with each other during the activity?
0 Silence
1 Whispering
2 Partner Talking
3 Group Talking
4 Outside Voice
H
Help
What’s the process for seeking assistance or support?
0 Nearby peer
1 Raise hand
2 Group help
3 Ask 3 before me
4 Seek teacher
A
Activity
What type of learning structure or format is it?
0 Small group
1 Partners
2 Independent
3 Whole group
4 Centers
5 Transition activity
M
Movement
Are learners permitted to move about the classroom?
0 Stay in your seat
1 Ask permission
2 Light movement
3 Get materials
4 Emergency only
P
Participant
Which behaviors demonstrate active learning?
0 Peer talking
1 Listening
2 Note-taking
3 On-task
4 Discussion
5 Read/write
S
Success
Are students successful with their behavior for this task?
Yes or No
Transitioning Selected Choices
C = Conversation – Silence
H = Help – Help Sign or Signal
A = Activity – Transition
M = Movement – Light Movement
P = Participation – On-task
S = Success – Yes! Let’s reach success!
Example 3: Attending a School Assembly
C
Conversation
How will students engage with each other during the activity?
0 Silence
1 Whispering
2 Partner Talking
3 Group Talking
4 Outside Voice
H
Help
What’s the process for seeking assistance or support?
0 Nearby peer
1 Raise hand
2 Group help
3 Ask 3 before me
4 Seek teacher
A
Activity
What type of learning structure or format is it?
0 Small group
1 Partners
2 Independent
3 Whole group
4 Centers
5 Transition
M
Movement
Are learners permitted to move about the classroom?
0 Stay in your seat
1 Ask permission
2 Light movement
3 Get materials
4 Emergency only
P
Participant
Which behaviors demonstrate active learning?
0 Peer talking
1 Listening
2 Note-taking
3 On-task
4 Discussion
5 Read/write
S
Success
Are students successful with their behavior for this task?
Yes or No
School Assembly Selected Choices
C = Conversation – Remain silent unless you’re prompted to engage.
H = Help – Seek the teacher if you need assistance.
A = Activity – Whole Group
M = Movement – Stay seated, but show hand signal for assistance if needed
P = Participation – Listen attentively and/or show active engagement.
S = Success – Yes! Let’s reach success!
Example 4: Conducting a Science Experiment
C
Conversation
How will students engage with each other during the activity?
0 Silence
1 Whispering
2 Partner Talking
3 Group Talking
4 Outside Voice
H
Help
What’s the process for seeking assistance or support?
0 Nearby peer
1 Help sign
2 Group help
3 Ask 3 before me
4 Seek teacher
A
Activity
What type of learning structure or format is it?
0 Small group
1 Partners
2 Independent
3 Whole group
4 Centers
5 Transition
M
Movement
Are learners permitted to move about the classroom?
0 Stay in your seat
1 Ask permission
2 Light movement
3 Get materials
4 Emergency only
P
Participant
Which behaviors demonstrate active learning?
0 Peer talking
1 Listening
2 Note-taking
3 On-task
4 Discussion
5 Read/write
S
Success
Are students successful with their behavior for this task?
Yes or No
Science Experiment Selected Choices
C = Conversation – Group Discussion
H = Help – Ask 3 peers in your group before seeking the teacher for help.
A = Activity – Small Group
M = Movement – Light movement required to retrieve/return supplies
P = Participation – Discuss important science-related matters with the group, take notes, and stay on-task.
S = Success – Yes! Let’s reach success!
Final Thoughts: C.H.A.M.P.S Classroom Management Model
The C.H.A.M.P.S Classroom Management model promotes positive behaviors using clear and direct communication.
Whether you teach first grade, middle school, or a grade in between, implementing a system of CHAMPS works well.
It’s a great complement to any behavior framework.
See also… CHAMPS classroom management printables and posters