Encourage Good Behavior with Incentive Programs
By Caroline Wyman

Incentive Programs

Good Behavior Beads
Discuss with your students and make a list of what good behavior is. Hand out a token bead to each of them, letting them know it represents one good behavior. Each time students display one of the good behaviors on your list, give them another bead. (Beads can be collected in a self-sealing bag and kept in their desks.)

Halfway through the year, have students make a necklace with the beads they've earned and have them wear to school. The more good behaviors they've shown, the longer the necklace will be. Start the second half of the year with new beads. Students love wearing their good behavior necklaces for everyone to see. Students will be incentivized to make a longer necklace during the second half of the year.

Ticket Rewards
This is a great program because it's so simple to do. Before the school year starts, buy a roll of tickets to use as rewards. Every time students do something great-even if it's only being quiet in line or sitting quietly at the desk-have them take a ticket out of the ticket jar. Ask them to write their name on the back of the ticket and then drop it in a shoebox. At the end of each week, randomly choose a ticket. Hand out a small reward (pencil, eraser, line leader) to the lucky student. Instead of a drawing, you can also have students save their tickets and choose a reward based on the number of tickets they've earned.

Treasure Tree
Here's a way to get your students to "oooooh" and "aaaaah". On a large classroom wall, make a tree either by drawing it on paper or by making it three dimensional with construction paper and tree-like materials. Leave a lot of room for branches and leaves, which will be made from little rewards, such as pencils, markers, stickers, erasers, or even a ticket for a no-homework day. When students show good behavior, and you want everyone to recognize it, allow them to pick a reward from the Treasure Tree. This activity instantly rewards the student's good behavior.

Checks and Balances
This incentive program happens to be my favorite. It also happens to be the one that my son's teacher is using in her third-grade classroom!

At the beginning of the year, give each child a checkbook with his/her name on it. On the checkbook "register" are spaces for classroom behaviors, a plus or minus sign, and the total amount of "money" they currently have. Some teachers like to start off the class with a $5.00 balance and add/subtract as the weeks progress.

This is how it works: If a student is quiet in line, you might say, "Give yourself 50 cents for being quiet." The student takes out the checkbook, enters "quiet in line," puts a plus sign in the appropriate column, and adds 50 cents to the last column. On the other hand, if students exhibit unwanted behavior, such as not putting their name on their paper, 50 cents may have to be deducted. So not only does this program reward good behavior, it also makes them responsible for unacceptable behavior.

Students keep a daily accounting in their checkbooks. Accuracy is important, because at the end of two or three weeks, they can use their balance to buy something at the classroom store, which is filled with previously priced items. For example, a deck of cards might cost $3.00. A no-homework pass might sell for $5.00.

You can see how this program can help keep students well behaved, as well as strengthen their math skills. I love this behavioral management program!

Rewards for Good Behavior

Here is a list of ideas you can use as rewards to encourage continued good behavior-and they're free!

1. Sit at the teacher's desk.
2. Take care of the classroom animals for the day.
3. Have lunch with your favorite person.
4. Have lunch with the principal.
5. Join another class for indoor recess.
6. Have the teacher phone parents to tell them what a great kid you are.
7. Draw on the chalkboard.
8. Be first in line.
9. Do only half of an assignment.
10. Choose any class job for the week.
11. Choose the music for lunch. Bring in a CD.
12. Take a tape recorder home for the night.
13. Use colored chalk.
14. Do all the class jobs for the day.
15. Invite a visitor from outside the school.
16. Get a drink whenever you want.
17. Use the pencil sharpener any time.
18. Skip early-morning work.
19. Take a class pet home overnight.
20. Be a helper in the classroom with younger children.
21. Help the custodian.
22. Help the secretary.
23. Help the librarian.
24. Stay in at recess to play a game with a friend.
25. Use stamps and ink.
26. Invite a friend from another class into the room for lunch.
27. Use the teacher's chair.
28. Work in the lunchroom.
29. Take a class game home for the night.
30. Choose a book for the teacher to read to the class.
31. Move your desk to a chosen location.
32. Keep an animal on your desk-stuffed or not stuffed.
33. Receive a no-homework pass.
34. Have lunch with the teacher.
35. Operate the projector.
36. Use the couch or beanbag chair for the day.
37. Go to another classroom for lunch.
38. Use the computer.
39. Be the first to eat.
40. Use the tape recorder and tape a story.
41. Have a special sharing time to teach something to the class, set up a display, etc.
42. Be a leader of a class game.
43. Go to the centre of your choice during the centre time.
44. Receive extra centre time or extra recess.
45. Read to a younger child.
46. Read to someone else.
47. Get first pick of recess equipment.
48. Get a fun worksheet.
49. Choose a movie for the class to watch.

Source: http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/classman2.html
Accessed October 2007. A List of Reward Ideas provided by CanTeach.com

Caroline Wyman has a degree in Sociology and a Masters in Elementary Education and is the administrator for TeacherNet.com.