Spin the Names

A well-run classroom raffle can do wonders for motivation, engagement, and classroom culture. A poorly run one can spark accusations of favoritism, arguments, and the kind of drama that follows you into the next week. The difference often comes down to one thing: transparency.

Here’s how to run a classroom raffle that every student believes in — from setup to the winning spin.

Why Classroom Raffles Work

Raffles tap into something fundamentally human: the thrill of a chance. Unlike grades or merit-based rewards (which can feel out of reach for some students), a raffle gives everyone an equal shot. A student who’s been struggling all month has the same odds as the class star.

When used thoughtfully, raffles can:

Reward effort, not just performance (give tickets for completed homework, participation, good behavior)
Build excitement around routine classroom activities
Reinforce positive habits without creating grade pressure
Include every student in the reward system

The Problem With Traditional Raffles

Paper tickets drawn from a hat have a charm to them — but they come with real problems:

Someone always thinks the teacher didn’t mix them well enough
It’s hard to verify the draw was random after the fact
Managing physical tickets is a logistical headache
Students in the back can’t see what’s happening

A digital name wheel solves all of these. Every name is visible. The spin is random and visible to everyone. There’s no “I saw you look at the ticket before you picked it.”

Setting Up Your Classroom Raffle

1. Define how tickets are earned

Be specific before you start. Vague criteria (“for being good”) invite arguments. Clear criteria don’t:

One entry for each homework assignment turned in on time this week
One entry for each question answered correctly in today’s review
Bonus entries for helping a classmate or going above and beyond

Write the criteria on the board and stick to them.

2. Track entries throughout the week

Keep a simple tally. A spreadsheet works well — one column per student, one row per day, marks for each earned entry. At the end of the week, you know exactly how many entries each student has earned.

3. Build your raffle wheel

Add each student’s name to the wheel once for each entry they’ve earned. If Maya earned 4 entries and Marcus earned 2, Maya’s name appears 4 times and Marcus’s appears 2 times. This preserves the effort-reward relationship while keeping it probabilistic.

4. Spin publicly

Project the wheel on your classroom screen. Let students gather around if the room allows. The suspense of the spin is part of the fun — and doing it publicly is what makes the outcome undeniable.

Tips for Running It Well

Remove winners from subsequent spins. If you’re giving out multiple prizes, remove each winner before spinning again. This ensures prizes are distributed among different students rather than one lucky student winning twice.

Let students spin. Hand the spin off to a student each week. Rotating who gets to trigger the spin makes the process feel even more shared and removes any perception that the teacher is manipulating the result.

Keep it consistent. Run your raffle on the same day and time each week. Students start to look forward to it, and it becomes a rhythm in the classroom.

Announce prizes in advance. Whether it’s five minutes of free time, a homework pass, or first pick of seats, students should know what they’re spinning for. The anticipation drives the behavior you want to see all week.

What to Give Away

You don’t need a budget for meaningful classroom raffle prizes. Some of the most motivating rewards cost nothing:

Homework pass (skip one assignment)
Sit anywhere for a day
Choose the next read-aloud book
Teacher’s helper for the week
Extra recess or free time
Lunch with the teacher (if that appeals to your age group)
First choice of classroom jobs
Name on the “VIP Wall” for a week

For older students, small tangible prizes can work well: a gift card, school supplies, a book. Keep it proportional to the stakes — you’re building habits, not running a casino.

Making It a Classroom Tradition

The best classroom raffles become traditions. Students start asking about it on Monday. They work harder throughout the week because the reward is clear, fair, and exciting. They remind each other about earning entries because the culture around it becomes positive.

Start simple, be consistent, and let the wheel do the work. Once you’ve run a few, you’ll never go back to a hat full of paper slips.