It's that time again! I love figuring out all of the ways that people motivate their students! It's something that I think all teachers need continual education on because no two students are motivated by the same thing and it's our job to make sure we get to them all somehow! So thanks Joanne!
One of the ways we motivate the students in my middle school is by rewarding them for good behavior. I've mentioned before that our school uses the discipline system that a friend and I created; Discipline Awareness.
One of the things we do to keep students motivated to monitor their behavior is by offering a 'store' a few times a quarter. Student behavior is tracked daily:
If a student has a 'clean day' (a day with no marks) they earn a point. That means that they have a possible 5 points to earn per week. (we don't count days they were absent or no school days because they weren't there to earn the point!)
Each homeroom teacher tracks how many points a student has earned and then we offer a store for students to spend their points.
You'd be surprised how popular this is even among middle schoolers! They love all the silly little toys they can 'buy' and the LOVELOVELOVE the extra credit/homework passes we have for sale also.
On top of keeping a clean log to earn points, they also work very hard to keep a clean log so that they can participate in our quarterly rewards. At the end of each quarter we provide a fun activity for students who have less than 12 marks to participate in. It usually looks something like this:
- First Quarter = choice of 3 movies (one in each homeroom) and popcorn
- Second Quarter = Special Treats at Christmas party (including homework/extra credit pass)
- Third Quarter = laser tag!
- Fourth Quarter = water day that includes a giant slide!
The kids who have missed out on a reward in the past work REALLY hard to earn them in the future because they know how fun the rewards are. Kids who don't earn the reward aren't punished, per se, but have to sit out and be in the little kids' classroom during the reward time. They hate it.
4 comments:
This is a fabulous idea. I agree, even our big kids get a kick out of prizes like this. Great post. :)
Brandee @ Creating Lifelong Learners
I bet those middle schoolers go crazy over those great quarterly prizes! Check out link up #8 Room 4 Imagination on my linky party-she has a similar set up at her school. I like the idea of a school system, then everyone's on board! Thanks for linking up a great idea Rochelle!
Joanne
Head Over Heels For Teaching
I always get excited when I find another middle school blogger! :-) I like that your incentive program stretches school wide. I have one in my classroom and I host my "Jefferson's Jam" quarterly...which they love! But, I really like the idea that you do something different every time. I would be first in line for the laser tag game!
Your newest follower,
Carla
Surviving Sixth Grade
Thank you! Laser tag was one of my favorites but I'll tell you what, you remember quickly how much younger and able bodied the kids are than you!
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