Along with some sticker, I bought 6 packages of reward pencils today - 10 in a pack, each for $1 - because couldn't refuse the deal. I didn't buy more only because I didn't know who well it'd work, i.e. I am concern about the kids wantint it so badly that it'd become a distraction. Also, I am thinking to give out either 4 or 1 per day to the best-behaved and on task students, not necessrily the best performing student. What do you guys think?
When I subbed, I always broke the class up into groups based on how they were sitting. Then I would give out points throughout the day for times like transitions, etc. For the group with the most points at the end of the day, I would let each child in that group choose a sticker from my stash. It worked well and they were excited to get something. I didn't tell them what it was in the beginning of the day. The only time they knew was when I was in the same room for more than one day.
I've bought those special pencils before w/ the designs on them. There was no real purpose, but it was nice to have some incentive just in case you're stuck w/ a really bad class & want to tell them that you have a surprise for them if they behave well all day.
Rewards... I carry a small paper bag filled with various items I've collected at dollar stores, or on sale. I use these as behaviour rewards sometimes, or as rewards for any games we may play at the end of the day. This is usually a nice treat for the kids. I even find that the sixth graders enjoy having a small treat once in a while. I never give candy...just a personal rule on my part. There is a sub in my daughter's building who gives candy & it drives me crazy. She has dental issues.
What kinds of things do you pick up at a dollar stores? Just asking so that I'd check the next time I pass by. that store.
On what we make?!? And I paying to put myself in school with everything I make?! Are you crazy!! No and I think teachers should leave stuff for us to give as rewards. I subed in a room once where a teacher left in her plans to look in her closet that there were tons of rewards for the kids if needed.
I totally agree. Stickers are really cheap though. For a dollar, you get like 508 counts. I noticed that last year, the teachers would leave some directions where to find the reward things, and how to go about it. I haven't seen that lately, not even the routine they do on a particular day of the week and so the kid would remind me, of course, at the last minute. I wish I knew ahead so that I can plan for that since giivng out gifts does take time.
Instead of spending money, why not just offer a few minutes of free time? I would write FUN or something like that on the board and they only had free time if a part of the word was left at the end of the day. I erased a letter any time they got out of control. Since I'm teaching now I do a paperclip chain, I give paperclips if they're being good or take them away for bad behavior. When it reaches the floor they get the prize (going outside for a period). I also leave a note for substitutes to use it, but the last sub I had gave waayyyyyy too many out.
I have a stash of reward stuff that I collected during student teaching (assuming I'd have a job right after!), so if I have a difficult class...I'll give out tickets throughout the day and do a raffle for a prize at the end. Seems to work well!
I buy big packs of erasers, pencils, pens, little notebooks, stickers...everything I buy is cheap & I don't give them out to everyone (unless the class has been great & the I may give everyone a sticker). Like I said, I give them out as prizes for behaviour or game prizes. Also, sometimes I will come in and give each student a ticket. If they misbehave, I take it. The students who have tickets at the end of class put them in a jar. I then hold a little raffle & allow a few to take something from the treasure box. I know we don't make much as subs, but this is just something I choose to do for the kids.
Springmac has the things kids like. Yes, they cost money, but so does going to a doctor to get your ulcers treated. When I subbed and I knew a school's culture well enough I would buy things just for that school.
I don't give out rewards because I'be heard from other classes that the kids will expect it every time. If that is what you are comfortable doing and you want to buy rewards each time, by all means go for it, but I don't want to be spending my money on that. I do try to play an extra game or give them free time.
You can not possibly compare not buying kids stuff to no going to the doctor. Going to the doctor is something you must do sometimes. Giving kids an award is not something you have to do. I do thinks that don't cost money as rewards. Examples: let a child be line leader, let them wash table, let only those that were good go to centers (if that is in plans), if watching a movie the ones who were not good have to turn there desks away from tv and do work etc.
Re-reading this, I would like to share the difficulty of grouping kids these days. Last Friday, I was subbing a read class. The kids for the first period and the last period were the same. They sat by forming a U with 3 kids just in the front of the _ row in U. Two of the kids sitting in _ were a Hispanic kids who understands spoken English well but have a hard time with English words and a Russian kids who knows very little English (both spoken and written). The kids on my right side of U were mainly Hispanics and the one on my left were mainly Russians kids. All were born in US. One of the lesson was word building game. I really had to be diligent about what word I give to which side also playing fair instead of randomly picking the words.
I would write FUN or something like that on the board and they only had free time if a part of the word was left at the end of the day. I erased a letter any time they got out of control. Since I'm teaching now I do a paperclip chain, I give paperclips if they're being good or take them away for bad behavior. When it reaches the floor they get the prize (going outside for a period). I also leave a note for substitutes to use it, but the last sub I had gave waayyyyyy too many out.[/QUOTE] She probably didn't realzie that she needed to be thrifty with those.
