Sunday, March 24, 2013

Student Rewards!

    I promised myself I would not do anything school related during the break--not!  I already started preparing assessment practice, task cards, and other activities.  I can't believe the State Assessments are just a few weeks away.  My students are looking forward to review time because I have some fun activities planned.  We will use my task cards for partner activities or scoot, power point reviews, some computer lab time, and play a few games focusing on different mathematical concepts.
     At this time of the year, I love to give my students extra opportunities to earn rewards for all of their hard work and right answers.  One way I reward students all year is with my personal teacher bucks.  Since they are in math class why not use money.  I reward students with $100 teacher bucks when they are doing the right thing, helping others, participating, taking risks, right answers,  amazing explanations, using the right math terminology when speaking, choosing the appropriate tools, and at the end of an activity especially if it is a competition.  My students love this reward system!  Some students make their own wallets to hold their money (so cute).  The students can use their bucks to purchase items from my classroom store, buy a homework coupon, or buy a special privilege.  I have tried many different reward systems in my 14 years of teaching and this one is by far the best.


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     I give out fake $100 bills.  Students collect them and then have an opportunity to visit my classroom store.  My classroom store has a variety of items ranging from $300-$4000.  At the low end students can purchase pencils, erasers, sharpeners, stickers, and a variety of small toys.   At the $1000-$1800 range, students can purchase stress balls, small toys, slap bracelets, and rubber duckies.  For $2000 students can purchase a homework coupon (this is my biggest seller and free to make).  Students love having a night off from their math homework.  Some students hold onto their coupons and use them when needed.  I always have colorful and attractive homework coupons to choose from.  I laminate all of my homework coupons so I can easily replace my stock as students hand them in.  From $2000 - $4000 students can choose from stuffed animals, necklaces, bracelets, pencil cases, matchbox cars, games, special privileges (like sitting at my desk, eating lunch with a friend in my room, etc.).  I usually purchase all of my items from Oriental Trading or the dollar store.  Once in a while I get a donation from a parent.  I only open my store once a week for students to make purchases.

What reward system do you use?
Classroom Freebies Manic Monday





Homework Coupons

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