Our main behavior management system is called “Jackpot!” and involves using coins to acknowledge positive choices and going above and beyond in the classroom. Here is a breakdown of how this fun system works.

• Each student has a coin container for collecting their coins. Students can earn coins various ways throughout the day for their positive actions. I do let the students know, however, that coins are not for basic things that I expect them to do. Instead, they are for those extra special actions that make our classroom a great place to learn. Students can also lose coins for negative choices (after a verbal warning).
• At least once  week, we count our coins. The students keep a running total until they reach a predetermined “Jackpot!” amount  (we begin the year with 200 cents, but increase it as we add the other coins). When a student reaches that amount, he/she gets to select a reward from our amazing Pick-a-Reward list.
• One great aspect of this system is that it tracks behavior on a daily and long-term basis. Students are motivated to earn as many coins as possible each day, but they are also working towards a long-term goal. Since we dump our coins at dismissal, each day is a fresh start, so your week is not defined by one “off” day. Students earn coins at their own pace, so they are only competing against themselves. 
• Occasionally, students might already have a zero balance when they lose a coin for a negative choice. If this happens, they receive an “I owe you” red and yellow chip. The next time they earn a coin for a positive choice, they trade-in this “I owe you” chip and have the chance to begin earning coins again. If they end the day with an “I owe you” chip, then 5 cents is deducted from their running total. 
• What I love about this system is that it also helps us practice skip counting, identifying coins, and counting a collection of coins. It gives us a HUGE jump start on our money unit in math and helps us continue to review money throughout the school year in a hands-on way.