These positive reinforcement systems will be tweaked for virtual learning. Stay tuned for more information!
Our class home thrives on positive reinforcement. As a teacher, I set high expectations for my students and have several systems in place to help them reach those expectations. Our main behavior system is our Jackpot! Coins System, but here are several others:
- “Oh Yeah!” and “Oops” Tally Chart: The class works together to earn tally marks. If we end the day with more “Oh Yeahs!” than “Oops-es,” then we earn a magnet on a tens frame. When we earn 10 magnets, we have a class family lunch in the garden or classroom.
- Drops in Buckets: This is one of my favorite parts of our classroom! At the beginning of the year, we read the book, How Full is Your Bucket?, and discuss how everyone has an invisible bucket floating above their heads. When we do helpful and kind things, we fill each other’s buckets with drops of water: both the person we helped and were kind to, as well as our own (because those acts make us feel good too!). It sounds like a strange metaphor, but for some reason it really sticks with kids! One of our class family jobs is the “Bucket Filler.” This person looks for helpful and kind acts in our classroom and acknowledges them by placing a “drop” in other students’ “buckets.” Students can also tell the bucket filler when they notice a classmate doing something helpful and kind. What I love about this system is that it encourages the students to look for the good in others.
- Red Plate: When students are having an exceptionally great day or do something that blows me away, they will receive a red plate sticker letting you know that they get to eat on the “red plate” at home.” Red Plate Award PDF
- Brag Basket: We have a basket filled with little objects that I use to acknowledge students throughout the day. It might be a spritz of “Brainiac Spray,” a “Badge of Brilliance” necklace to wear the rest of the day, or a special eyeball pointer to use during reading (amongst others). All of these little things keep a positive vibe in our classroom and let students know that their hard work and effort don’t go unnoticed.
- Principal’s Award: Each Friday, one student will be selected as the Principal’s Award winner. Their name is announced on the Koala News and they get a special ribbon, bumper sticker, pencil, and other goodies from our principal.
- Pick-a-Reward List: We do not have a “treasure box” in our classroom. Instead, we have a LONG list of non-prize rewards that the students get to choose from. Choices include being the class photographer, blowing bubbles in class, getting your face painted, helping a teacher, popping popcorn for the class, choosing the music for the day, etc. These rewards are very motivating and focus on experiences rather than physical objects.