no rewards?

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no rewards?
By Suzanne

A year or two ago I started to read "Punished by Rewards" because I was feeling that I was hearing "What do I get?" too often. I'll admit, I found the book to be a bit deeper than I'm use to, so I skim read it. I do agree
with what I read. I teach fourth grade and struggle with the rewards issue all of the time. I do not have any reward/consequences system in my class. Every so often I try one and I just cannot be consistent. (What is good for Tommy is not always good for Johnny in my book). I love to give out "handshakes, high fives and pats on the back." It's not to say I don't give rewards, but

the students don't know when they will be given. For example, on a social studies test 3 students received 100%, I clipped a coupon on their test inviting them to lunch in the classroom. I made it clear to the class that this was not something that will always happen, but I wanted to recognize their success. The students look forward to these random acts.

On a related topic, our principal designed a program called "The Principal's Academic Challenge" to replace the existing "Honor Roll." The challenge is to turn in 10 pieces of quality work (to be mutually determined by the teacher and student) each quarter. Each quarter there is an assembly in which students receive a button and a certificate. At the end of the year those students making the challenge all four quarters will receive a trophy at an awards assembly. Here's the problem... Not a quarter goes by that I don't have a parent call me to ask if there is something extra their child can do to earn one more "Q" (piece of quality work). I sigh. Afterall, some students in each quarter have collected 18-20 "Q's." Had "Suzy" started working harder earlier she, too, would have the minimum number of "Q's". (On top of that, I allow students to resubmit their spelling sentences each week if they are not satisfied with their final grade. Few students take me up on this offer!).

So, Linda, I am also frustrated with awards and rewards and all that they bring. I'd be interested to hear what others think. Thanks for posting such an interesting question. I'm sorry to have rambled on!