Edu-Web Network - Small Rewards 08

Small Rewards 08

I am usually just a scanner of all everyone has to offer since I retired
from teaching 2 years ago, but I am glad I stayed on the "list" because
my older daughter is going back into the classroom after 5 years of
administrative duties. She will be teaching 6th-8th graders and we were
wondering what kind of small rewards they might still like. Are
stickers liked by 6th graders? If so, what kind? She's looking for
something small but fun to keep them going towards some short and long
term goals.

Vickie in Long Beach, California
.....
Hi Vickie,

What subject area? My students love mechanical pencils, erasers,
bracelets, gel pens, black pads of paper for the gel pens. sometimes you
can find really great "stuff" in Oriental Trader Catalog. They have a
large selection of items you can buy. Check out their website:

http://www.orientaltrading.com/
........
Also if you have a Dollar Store, or a Target store they usually have
some bargains as well that make great rewards.

Another idea that we have used before is   free questions on a test
and the number is up to you.
Or one free assignment in a subject that have that is at least a C...
or again your choice of a grade.
Or,   talk to another teacher and they could have a free recess with
another grade if it would work out.

Another one I have used is a small snack box, and for so many points
earned they could have a free snack.

A
.....
I just attended a workshop/staff training for adding grades 7 & 8 to our elementary school that had a handout of rewards to motivate older students. (It's at school but I remember these): (depends on if school will permit also) a pass to allow wearing of a hat or an ipod. An invitation or pass to eat lunch in the classroom (teacher gives up lunch slot unless you have an aide or coverage) maybe rotate with another teacher? A classroom party where kids can bring their own treat (used to be pop & chips) but as long as parents provide as long as it is not entirely sugar! I'll look for the handout next week because it really did have a lot of good ideas with little or no cost attached. I think one was a pass to select a CD song or artist and bring in music (that one is risky because the content has to be monitored - I would modify that to selecting a popular radio station to play for a set amount of time.
Margaret
........
Out 6th graders loved homework passes (especially for spelling!) or coupons
for extra points on tests/quizzes.   (They loved it when we were allowed to
use candy treats like tootsie rolls or jolly ranchers, but . . .)
One teacher had an elaborate reward system - he gave out raffle tickets as
rewards, and then once a quarter held a raffle for a prize - McDonald's
certificates, a local ice cream parlor certificates, pizza certificates, and then at the end of the year held a big raffle for a big prize - one year it was a bicycle he'd gotten in a raffle himself. He either got all the items donated, or paid for them himself. His students were his kids as he and his wife, also a teacher, never had any of their own.

Deb
.....
It is good to read all these great ideas again, and this Fall when I
work with kids in reading again will have to go back and read these
again.      The couple you mentioned Deb, it was nice they could do
such an elaborate system.   I bet his class loved it!

Another couple of ideas I used were points they earned for completing
work in each subject and the points could be turned in for snacks.    (some of these are not small rewards!)   One year if the students had at least so many C's or above I took them out to lunch.    My favorite one is sticker charts because you can set goals with each student.
A
.........
I thought these two pdf forms were especially good with ideas:

http://www.rcs.k12.va.us/wellness/altfood.pdf    (had good ideas) from Connecticutt state

(from indiana's ed dept)
Zero-Cost Alternatives

• Sit by friends
• Watch a video
• Read outdoors
• Teach the class
• Have extra art time
• Enjoy class outdoors
• Have an extra recess
• Get a pat on the back
• Play a computer game
• Read to a younger class
• Be “Student of the Day”
• Dance to favorite music
• Get extra computer time
• Get a “No Homework” pass
• Make deliveries to the office
• Listen to music while working
• Play a favorite game or puzzle
• Earn play money for privileges
• Read a favorite book to the class
• Eat lunch outdoors with the class
• Be a helper in another classroom
• Take home the classroom mascot
• Have a teacher perform, i.e., sing
• Walk with a teacher during lunch
• Eat lunch with the teacher or principal
• Get “free choice” time at the end of the day
• Listen with a headset to a book on audiotape

Bold indicates activities that include
physical activity
Low-Cost Alternatives

• Select a paperback book
• Enter a drawing for donated prizes
• Take a trip to the treasure box (non-food
items)
• Get stickers, pencils, and other school
supplies
• Receive a video store or movie theater
coupon
• Get a set of flash cards printed from the
computer
• Receive a “mystery pack” (notebook, folder,
sports cards, etc.)

Forgot my class's favorites this year in my weekly auction, peanut butter crackers, gatorade or vitamin water drinks and sugarless bubblegum!!!

Margaret

I just recieved a catalogue from a company called SmileMakers. They have
some really great ideas that are not that costly. There are the cutest
snap bracelets on the front that you can get buttons for. They remind me
of the buttons for your croc shoes that are still fairly popular. The
bracelets are $9.99 for 30 and the buttons are 90 for $17.99. Though I
can't share the catalogue with you, they do have a web address. There are
kindness coins for $6.99 for 144 coins and caught being good coins for
$12.99 for 288 coins.

www.smilemakers.com
Leah

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