behavior reward system

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Home : 2000 : December : 28

behavior reward system
By Carolyn

Hi, Chris,

I have a fifth grade class, too, and like yours they certainly need some motivation to stay on task and get things done quietly.

What I have done, and this is very successful, is to keep points. I have my
class divided into three rows across. They know that their names are Row 1, Row 2, and Row 3. (My class couldn't manage "tables"--too many ADHD & ADD.) I have a small markerboard where I record the points. Every time I see a row quietly working, I give them a point. I also use it during transitional times--giving a point to the first group to have the right page in the book, for example,

or to be cleaned up first. On Friday, the kids eagerly await the final count of tally marks. The winning row gets the prize. I usually hand out a pack of gum or some other inexpensive treat to each kid in the winning row. Believe me, the kids really enjoy this.

I had tried a raffle last year and it was a pain in the neck. The point system I have described here is really easy. You don't have to bother with tickets or any tokens. Usually, I don't let the kids see the points, because I don't want the groups who are behind to become discouraged and give up on participating. The count is secret until Friday at 2:15. Only thing with the point system is you have to change your seating arrangement at least every two weeks so that the same rows aren't winning all of the time.