It works for kindergarten classes, so why not give it a try? As part of the sweeping changes that interim head coach Tony Sparano has brought to the Raiders, the team shifted where everyone dresses in the locker room.

Monday was Sparano’s first practice with his team, since Dennis Allen was fired last Tuesday during the bye week. Besides new locker assignments, players also saw a quicker practice tempo, with time designated to work on fundamentals.

They even took a field trip, as they helped Sparano bury a football — representing the 0-4 start — in a corner of the practice field in Alameda.

Sparano had met with players in the morning, and addressed how “Oakland is beating Oakland” the first four games this season, and in the 10-game losing streak dating to last year.

He focused on “the things that we do well, like red-zone defense,” in advance of the team’s preparation for Sunday’s home game against the 4-1 Chargers.

“The guys were excited,” Sparano said. “There was a lot of enthusiasm on the practice field today.”

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Defensive tackle Antonio Smith liked Sparano’s focusing on the positive. “That’s an old Jedi mind trick, talk about what you do well so you do well,” he said.

Smith also said that Sparano is a straight shooter, who doesn’t hide what he doesn’t like.

“He will give it to you blood raw, too,” Smith said.

The players are open to change after the 0-4 start, and while no one blames Allen for that, they are eager to see if a new approach works.

“I wish I could give you a crystal ball answer where Sparano came in and changed everything we’ve done and told us every rule of football ... but we know what it is,” defensive end Justin Tuck said. “We have to be more consistent.

“In spots, we’ve been pretty good and in spots we’ve played pretty awful. We’ve buried these four games and we’re moving on.”

Tuck, in his 10th year, chuckled when asked if a new locker-room assignment and practice tempo can help spark change.

“We’ll see,” Tuck said. “The biggest thing you have to have right now is an open mind. We’re 0-4; we have to do something different.”

Sparano is open to new ideas as well, and spent time over the weekend talking with former Packers coach Mike Holmgren. He came in at the behest of general manager Reggie McKenzie, but Holmgren told KJR-AM in Seattle that no jobs were discussed.

The job in front of Sparano is a big one. He was asked if he feels a needs to light a fire under this team.

“The fire has been lit,” Sparano said. “You can see change. ... There are a lot of prideful people in that locker room.”

Tuck doesn’t understand why there wouldn’t be a fire all the time when you’re paid to play football, but admits it’s only been there “in spurts” for the Raiders the first four games.

“It’s hard to be passionate when you’re not playing well,” he said. “That’s just human nature. When you get your butt whipped, it’s going to take a toll on you. We have to find a way to get that winning mentality back."

Briefly: Quarterback Derek Carr showed no ill effects from his sprained ankle as he took the first-team snaps Monday. ... Middle linebacker Nick Roach was absent at the start of practice. Roach, who hasn't played all season because of a concussion, had been going through the motions the last three weeks at practice, but Sparano said there was no setback. He doesn't want guys who aren’t ready to play on the practice field. ... Outside linebacker Sio Moore (ankle), who’s missed the last two games, was working out with a trainer on the side. ... Former Patriots receiver Kenbrell Thompkins was claimed off waivers by the Raiders. He had six catches for 53 yards this season.