rewards system?

Can I have some suggestions for a reward system for middle school students? I would be open to hearing everyone's strategies, even if you don't have middle school, because I can always modify an idea!


Last year I started out with a system that just didn't work for me because it was too hard to keep up with. I need something pretty simple that will work!!

TIA!

Re: rewards system?

Make your own money. I used to have "M points" with the McDonalds logo as the M. I made them in publisher/word, business card size so 8 up to a page. I handed them out for good behavior, board work, helping someone with their work, a good answer. Whatever. I used diff colored paper per marking period. Once I handed them to the kid, I was done. They could cash them in for a free HW pass, points on a test, whatever. Make up your own system. If they lose them, it's their problem. There is no paper work, no stopping the lesson....totally easy.

Re: rewards system?

I do the green- yellow- red behavior chart

20 greens= prizes ( maybe lunch with a teacher, no homework coupon, choice time for 30 minuytes, sit next to a friend for the day... whatever), a yellow means an instant parent letter or phone (i prefer letters that way i have documentation proof) and red means severe behavior and I request for a parent conference spossibly with the grade sup...

Hope that helps!

Re: rewards system?

I did something last year that briefly worked great- but it was hard work. I am going to try it again this year, though. Here's the nutshell:

The kids are in groups of 4-5. They get a point a day for the following: puntuality, homework, classwork, conduct, uniforms and keeping their areas neat. The points are per group- so if one person is late or does not do HW, the group does not get the point. I wanted to drive home to them that their actions, positive and negative, affect others, and that they are accountable to each other as well as themselves. I saw big improvements in a few kids who'd been irresponsible, because they didn't want their group members to be mad at them. Of course, in some of the groups none of them cared. But most of the kids liked the systems because they liked the teamwork element. It's hard for me to keep up with all the scoring, but I do want to try it again. Last year I set goals per month, but this time I will do it per week and I already bought a ton of inexpensive books and little toys, etc. to use as prizes.

Re: rewards system?

My husband actually built a 'wheel of fortune.' Kids acquire "points" by getting hw in on time, having perfect attendance for a month, etc. They lost points for lateness, missing hw or classwork. After a certain # of points, they got to spin the wheel. The wheel had stuff like "hw pass" and "drop on quiz grade" on it (don't remember the others, as the wheel is currently in my garage). Kids went NUTS for the wheel.

Re: rewards system?

Re: rewards system?

Thanks everyone!!

I am still trying to come up with a good idea, I really appreciate everyone's responses so far... keep them coming!

So far I am getting very good ideas from reading all of your suggestions! I like the idea of giving prizes... especially love the wheel of fortune idea..........

The one thing I'm not sure about is I have 2 kids in my class who are TERRIBLE about homework!!!!!!!! I had my same kids last year so I know this is a trend.. calling the parents only helps for like 2 days so I don't want to do anything where the whole group gets penalized because I know they will just end up getting penalized everyday since those kids really don't care Still trying to figure out how to better handle that this year..... think I might start calling home more, though I hate that because it takes time out of my precious prep time where I have endless other things to take care of.......


Hmm now that I rambled onto that topic... in addition to a rewards system for behavior in the class, handing in hw, etc........... anyone have ideas for handling the "no hw hander inners" And yes, I just made up the term 'hander-inners' I honestly sound like a broken record with these kids and the hw still doesn't get done... any suggestions?

Re: rewards system?

I would try the money/wheel idea. they might see all their friends getting cool stuff and start to feel like "hey i want something too" maybe add a prize that you know would really interest them.

As for the calling home, I'm with you, I HATE calling home, and barely did it my first year. My second year, i was transfered to the HS, where someone gave me the best advice. She told me to call home call home call home. Inudate the parents with calls and eventually they'll get so sick of you calling, they'll get on the kid. As much as I hated it, I tried it, and last year, with a class from hell, I started calling home on the 3rd day of school, and I had the kids handing in HW by Oct on a regular basis.

Keep trying!

Re: rewards system?

Posted by mathteach

Posted by TheDivineMrsM

My husband actually built a 'wheel of fortune.' Kids acquire "points" by getting hw in on time, having perfect attendance for a month, etc. They lost points for lateness, missing hw or classwork. After a certain # of points, they got to spin the wheel. The wheel had stuff like "hw pass" and "drop on quiz grade" on it (don't remember the others, as the wheel is currently in my garage). Kids went NUTS for the wheel.

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I your husband.

Re: rewards system?

I teach MS Special Ed. math. Last year I had an estimation jar each month filled with something different. They could earn tickets for a guess or save them for a prize. At the end of the month I would count out it out and who ever came closer, got to take the jar home.

Re: rewards system?

I teach elementary so you'd probably have to modify.
I've used fake money that they earn for various things like good behavior, handing in work and so on. They can spend the money in the class store but only on fridays.
I've also done tickets and sticker charts.

You were also asking about hw and not wanting to penalize the group. When I taught self contained, I always had 2 positive reinforcement systems. One was for the whole class and one was individual. I used the class system to reward the entire class for good behavior in school and kind behaviors towards each other. The class earned points or stars or whatever towards a whole class reward. The individual systems were like the tickets or money. This is where I would reward for doing hw.

Re: rewards system?

I teach 1st grade and went into this year with a plan that changed quickly.

Now, I have two sticker charts in my room. Girls and Boys. They get stickers now for sitting, good answers, reaching a goal, etc. I do not reward for homework because it isn't their fault. On fridays,..the children get to use the stickers to buy different prizes at different levels. If the children want to spend their stickers i cross them out,...if they save them then they remain. Its a lot less work!