How to find a simple, effective classroom rewards system that kids of all ages will respond to?? That is the million dollar question. A lot of specialists find behaviour systems for pre-primary to upper junior school difficult, it will either be needlessly complicated, or too hard to bother with! These were some of the systems that worked for me. Important to note: I am writing from my own experiences in the classroom and do not in any way guarantee these projects will work for you. Some of these project ideas are exactly as I did them in the classroom, others have changes to reflect how I would do them next time. You know your student's capabilities and behaviour best. As with anything, always check the safety of all materials and processes and read product instructions carefully before you introduce them to students. Consider the age and maturity of your students before trying any of my ideas. Raffle My Lucky Draw was probably my most effective and longest serving system. It consisted of several magazine boxes reconstructed to be a 'raffle' box. Students showing good behaviour got to fill out a card with their name and class and put it into their class's box, which had the big, colourful prize box prominently displayed beside it. It was a huge hit with the little ones, but the older kids also didn't mind it. It's simple enough that they don't think it's uncool! At the end of the term, we would do a draw and the winner could choose a prize. Additionally, I would sometimes run classroom-wide behaviour charts (things like keeping noise down etc.) to win bonus draws throughout the term. To make the boxes, I folded the side flaps of these boxes (although other boxes work, or you can cut some card to put over the top), cut a small slot with a stanley trimmer and outlined it with washi tape. Then, I labelled the boxes with the class name or year group. (Some of my labels and the prize tickets are available in my shop)
Here is how I made the boxes using regular magazine boxes:
You need a magazine box, a piece of A4 card, scissors, stanley knives, good quality washi tape and a label.
-Measure the box openings- the long and short and cut them out as two pieces. -Use the stanley knife to cut a slot in the long rectangle. -Surround the edges of the small square with washi tape and attach it to the longer rectangle with the tape. -Tape the edges of the long rectangle to the magazine box. Leave the short side unattached so it can be opened to select a ticket. -Add a cute label!
Donation Rewards As I worked at a Christian school, I was keen to get my students working for something other than cheap prizes and get them more intrinsically motivated. After talking to the students about how we have so much stuff, and others in the world have nothing, the students were happy for me to use the money I would have used on prizes to send to children in need. It was very heartwarming! I decided to buy some items for a Christmas Shoebox and put pictures of the items under a thermometer style chart. Each time the students earned recognition for their behaviour, they got to write their signature on the chart under the prize of their choice. Some prizes were worth more than others. The students would get very excited when they saw they only had a few more squares to fill, and when they filled a chart, I would get the prize and put it in the shoebox to display.
Truthfully, this was a very sweet prize system and I was pretty overwhelmed at the kind hearts of my students, they all voted to participate. As they all had Art once a week, they would be able to see how much progress the other classes had made on the chart when they came in for their class.
Have you got any ideas that worked for you? Let me know in the comments! Resources
Versatile Achievement Chart Floral Circle Labels Art Deco Raffle Tickets