Mine loved outdoor recess time, card tournaments, time to just talk, writing on the smartboard, working at my desk, sitting by a friend, positive notes home, late work pass exemption, homework pass (or problems off homework), listening to music, eating during class (or me providing a snack), wearing a hat to class, lunch in the classroom....
I always asked my students every year what they wanted to work for as well. We sat down and created the list and talking about what you expect for them to earn these rewards.
When I had a grade 7 and 8 resource room (11 boys), I got their input into incentives that were important to them. Some of the things that they wanted to work towards: 10 minutes outside at the basketball court (this was a favourite!), 30 minute Connect 4 or checkers tournament, listening to music while they worked, popcorn snack, trip to the movie theatre (they never earned this one, but they were close, and my principal did approve it).
I also enlisted their input into criteria for earning the rewards but having them pinpoint the key behaviours that needed to change. That said, I did try to keep things a little more relaxed in the resource room. The students still had to work hard, listen respectfully while someone was talking, etc., but I didn't hold a hard line on raising hands to speak, working silently, not moving around, etc. This certainly wouldn't work for everyone, but it's what these boys needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mopar
Mine loved outdoor recess time, card tournaments, time to just talk, writing on the smartboard, working at my desk, sitting by a friend, positive notes home, late work pass exemption, homework pass (or problems off homework), listening to music, eating during class (or me providing a snack), wearing a hat to class, lunch in the classroom....
I always asked my students every year what they wanted to work for as well. We sat down and created the list and talking about what you expect for them to earn these rewards.
Thank you both for these ideas. I think I will have the students write down rewards they would like today. I did that on the first day too but I think I need to remind them I will follow through if they do also.
I need advice on how to implement some sort of system daily so that if the majority does well then they earn rewards. I have students that seem like this will work for them for the most part but I have a few that are going to be defiant even if that would mess up the rest of the group. I am not sure how to handle those students because I can't battle them everyday (that's negative attention and it shows them as being tough in front of their peers). What should I do?
I already have tickets for a raffle for a food but I was told I shouldn't do that every week because they will associate me too much with food. What do you think?
My second group did the work I asked today. But my first class WOULD NOT stop talking! At all! I share the room with another teacher and he saw me struggling. He told me that my group of students is hard to deal with and he had trouble too.
What do I do if that happens again? How do I get the attention RIGHT AWAY from the beginning? I kept trying to get everyone's attention and they were all very much more interested in their talking. Eventually I had a few students complying but the others were not. I wanted to give consequences, but I saw I was not doing what I needed to in the first place, which was re-establish attention.
I let my administration know I would like support today. This is a temporary teaching position so I might get let go anyway by the end of the school year--at least if I tell the admin know I want help and they're aware I have a tough group it won't be as much as a surprise later on...
