Reward Systems That Work

In Front of the Class

by Linda Starr, Education World®

1. Display on a classroom bulletin board a stoplight with four colors: green, yellow, orange, and red. Surround the stoplight with numbered pockets, one pocket for each student. Into each pocket, place a strip of green paper. If a student breaks a class rule, replace the green paper with a yellow paper. A second behavior problem on the same day, results in an orange paper. When a student receives an orange paper, have him or her complete a Time Out Record describing their inappropriate behavior and explaining how they plan to correct it. Send the Time Out form home to parents to be signed and returned. Severe discipline problems result in a red paper, which earns a phone call home or a trip to the office. At the end of each day, everyone goes back to green. On Friday, give every student who keeps his or her green paper all week a Bonus Ticket. At the end of each semester, hold an auction and allow students to spend their Bonus Tickets.
    
2. Display a Velcro® penny board on a classroom bulletin board. Every day, give each student five pennies with a piece of Velcro® attached. Each time a student misbehaves, take away a penny and return it to the board. At the end of the day, reward students who have kept all their pennies all day with a cardboard nickel. When a student has accumulated 10 nickels, allow him or her to shop at the classroom store.
    
3. Provide each student with a "checkbook" and reward them for good behavior with "deposits" in varying amounts, depending on the behavior. Allow them to use their checks to purchase items at the classroom store. (Don't forget to also "fine" students for poor behavior choices!)

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