I created rewards cards for free via VistaPrint during a special they had a few months ago. Before I purchased a star hole punch, I used small stickers to mark their progress on each square (along with the date written next to it with my special pens so they couldn't just add stickers to it).
The homework card requires them to bring in their homework on Friday 100% done. After 5 times of complete homework, they get a prize. (Next year this is SO changing to 10 times. In the beginning I was getting maybe 11 out of 22 homework packets turned in complete...hence why I started this reward).
The responsibility card goes along with the behavior clip chart. When they move up to one of the top two colors, they get a punch in this card. This is rare now...they've been on one lately, so I'm trying very hard to catch the amazing behavior and have them move their clip up accordingly. They need 10 punches for this one...which I've recently realized should have been 5.
Club Cranium, as mentioned in Monday's post, is a fun challenge students can complete once daily when they finish their morning work. If their answer is correct, they get a punch. I just had two students fill their cards and I had a free banner made via VistaPrint that I'm going to hang up with their stars. The two students with the most stickers on their stars at the end of the year win a special prize (to be determined by me).
The spelling card is for 100% scores on spelling tests. This is a HUGE motivator - especially for my students who struggle with spelling. The things they'll do for a rubber duck.
And the model student card is new. So new that I haven't even given one out yet. I'm going to start next week with these. It's going to be my way of letting students know when they're doing something extraordinary - such as helping others without me asking, being super polite, doing things for adults without being asked, getting started on work right away when everyone else is hanging from the ceiling, etc.
** For more information on these rewards cards, please visit this post on my education blog. Templates and a complete explanation are available! **
The following rewards I made and printed myself using Word.
The clean desk award is given by the clean desk fairy. As far as my students know, she's my sister, hence the same handwriting. Ha! The back has a spot for me to write the student's name, the date, and what the clean desk fairy especially loved about their desk. I leave them a treat (usually a piece of candy...I know, I'm terrible) and some heart confetti I punched out of scrapbook paper. They live for the clean desk fairy. She comes once a week on a random day to a random desk. If she hasn't come by Friday, they know that she stopped at someone's desk and it was a mess...so nothing was left. So sad.
The reading reward is for the monthly reading logs students fill out at home. Complete and returned logs get them a prize.
The subtraction expert and addition expert rewards are for students who complete the whole set of addition or subtraction math fact tests. They receive an addition or subtraction pencil with their reward.
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| download these rewards for free here |
I also made this motivator myself.
Some of my students were really slacking when it came to doing their job. It was really unfair to others who work so hard during the week, so I created a report card. They need 3 smiley faces for the week in order to get a treat. The treat, again is candy. My bad. But hey, they don't have jobs every week. And I give a Starburst...not a huge deal, right? =]
If you are a fellow teacher, I'd love to hear what motivators/rewards you use in your classroom.
Hi, I'm not a teacher but I am a parent. My kids' teachers have similar rewards cards, but the kids get classroom "bucks" when their cards are full. They also get paid classroom bucks for weekly chores. They save up their bucks for end of the month/term rewards day (when they can buy items from the reward chest...like small toys, candy, novelty pens and mini notebooks etc), and they may also use them to buy homework passes and bonus marks on tests for the older grades (they must purchase the bonus marks before they take the test...this one is popular for difficult subjects.) My kids love it. The entire elementary school is doing this, and on the last day of school all the teachers pool their rewards chests and all of the kids can use up any leftover classroom bucks. Not only do they get rewards, but they are learning basic finance earning/budgeting/saving skills.
ReplyDeleteI do something similar with class dollars .Instead of the kids getting prizes, which can be really expensive the parents come and 'donate' hair braiding, nail painting, face painting, dance lessons, baking etc... They love it and I don't have to do anything, but organise it.
DeleteHi Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteI am not a teacher yet, but I hope to get a teaching job soon, I work as a one-on-one aide right now. I have been "blog stalking" a lot of people and pinning so many of the great ideas that I find. I love your ideas for the use of the punch cards to recognize student's good work!
I think your cards are amazing! I'm still trying to figure out my reward system. A friend of mine gives out tickets and at the end of each term/semester she auctions off small and big prizes for their tickets. She buys $5 gift cards and movie tickets and have the kids 'fight' over their prizes. This would be for the older kids but she said the kids were soo excited! I think I might try that or a combo of your cards and a reward chest.
ReplyDeleteKeep giving ideas! they are awesome!
Let me first start by saying that I found your blog on pinterest a few weeks ago and love it! I hope to one day be as organized as you :). Then as I was helping my niece with her homework the other day I happened to recognize your name on her folder! She loves you and my sister has been very impressed by you too. Looks like you are doing a great job!
ReplyDeleteI love VistaPrint!!
ReplyDelete❤Teri
A Cupcake for the Teacher
LOVE THIS! What a cute system. P.S. I love VistaPrint too :-)
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! I'm curious though, how do the students keep the cards organized? I know that in the school I'm currently interning in, I would find those all over the place!
ReplyDeleteHow lucky your students are to have such a great teacher! If I was a classroom parent, I would love if you instituted the classroom dollars as rewards as opposed to candy. Makes them delay gratification and learn about budgeting.
ReplyDeleteI hope once my son reaches school-age he will get a caring, organized teacher like you!!!
Those cards are so cool, I wish I had some to use with my kids. I am not a teacher bu my Sister in Law is, I am sharing this post with her.
ReplyDeleteI love all your ideas Tiffany! I love the cards! Where do your students keep them? How do they keep track of them? When do you punch them, at a designated time or just whenever? Also, I know Vistaprint does some free things but you mentioned getting free cards and a free banner--how do you find these deals? Thanks for sharing and being an inspiration as usual! (:
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas!!! I am totally going to copy your program! Is there any way you would consider e-mailing me the 4 reward cards you made on your own? My e-mail is krstdra@aol.com. Thanks for considering this request. Thanks for sharing your ideas!!!
Kristing
Vista Print is amazing!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great motivation ideas:)
Terri
http://terristeachingtreasures.blogspot.com
I use a system called the Colors of My Character for my 2nd graders and their goal is to move up the rainbow and into the pots of gold by the end of the week. Every time I "catch" them doing something good they get to move up a color, other teachers, aides and workers in the school are aware of the system so they are also allowed to inform me if one of my students was being exceptional. Every color they move up earns them one citizenship buck to help build a classroom community where they buy houses, farms and corporations so they learn the basics of economics. Lastly, if they get into the pots of gold at the bottom they get an extra prize for the week. They pull a sheet out of my pot of gold that has something extra special. Like a piece of candy, or they can chew gum in class, 10 more citizenship bucks. Its amazing how well their behavior has turned around earlier in the year I was using a negative focused system but this positive behavior plan has gotten all but one of my students to turn their behavior around.
ReplyDeleteI teach fifth grade and give out free homework assignment coupons to students who don't get any late slips during the month. In a normal month, I'll hand them out to 50% of my class. Students love accruing them and using them during the last week of school.
ReplyDeleteI also say that on birthdays, the birthday girl or boy doesn't have homework that night.
I teach fifth grade and give out free homework assignment coupons to students who don't get any late slips during the month. In a normal month, I'll hand them out to 50% of my class. Students love accruing them and using them during the last week of school.
ReplyDeleteI also say that on birthdays, the birthday girl or boy doesn't have homework that night.
Hi there! New visitor! I love this idea especially because I am making the jump from 4th to 2nd next year. Where do your kids store these punch cards? Do you hold on to them or do they have them somewhere in their desks? I currently use sticker charts, but with the amount of stickers I go through, I think a punch card would be more reasonable to work. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Krissy,
ReplyDeleteStudents keep track of their cards on their own. They have drawer cubbies that they keep their art supplies in, so most students keep them in the drawers. Others love the cards so much that they have to keep them in their desk. It teaches them responsibility. If they lose them, they have to start over. No one has lost theirs yet.
What a neat idea! Found this through a coworker who had pinned this on Pinterest- I may try something like this for the upcoming school year. Right now I teach 6-8 special ed. and my students earn raffle tickets for following directions/good behavior. I draw 2-3 names on Friday and the students can pick out a small prize from the treasure box of items I've bought with BEP money (play-doh, pencils, erasers, etc.). Because it's a resource English/reading class, I'm also trying to get them to read more, so for every 5 books they read and answer a few questions about, they get to pick a prize as well. It's nice to see them excited about reading and has even started a little competition to see who will have the most books read before the end of the year! Thanks for sharing your idea!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE these cards! I keep my eye on vistaprint waiting for these types of cards to go on sale or for free!
ReplyDeleteTAG your it! Come to my blog for details. I am a new follower.
www.loveofteachingkimberly.blogspot.com
I love these cards! As for non-candy rewards, I really like the free homework pass idea, though I would wait until you increase the number of punches needed on that card.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing I've seen are items such as beanbags and floor pillows (or, in older grade classrooms where there is sometimes more space, a couch) available for use. Depending on the classes activities, it might be for silent reading, circle time, etc but the students who complete a card are allowed to use those items for the day they turn it in.
I know many teachers who say it's a great motivator. (I studied to teach then chose the SAHM road, but most of my friends teach now.) There's definately an investment up front in that, though if you can sew or know someone who can it would be much less, but afterwards, it lasts!
I LOVE the idea of the cards with punches. Did you come up with the design yourself? How would I go about getting the places to punch and card designs etc.?
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing!!!
The cards were created on Vistaprint.com. They're under Business >> Loyalty Cards.
ReplyDeleteI teach K, just wondering when you punch the cards? I am assuming right away so you don't forget. How does this work without disrupting learning time? My kiddos don't do well with delayed rewards...they bug me til I have time to give it to them! Maybe older kids can stay on track better?
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend all teachers to read Punished By Rewards by Alfie Kohn. When I started teaching 6 years ago, I used a reward system with tickets when I caught students being good and working. Of course in hindsight, what I and other teachers who do this, is rewarding students for doing what they are expected to do anyway. When a reward is presented to students before a task/assignment is assigned, the human brain is motivated to do one thing... do whatever it takes to get the reward. So when it comes to learning, students will most likely do the bare minimum to get to the end result... which is the reward and not what we as teachers really want our students to do is learn and retain the information being taught. Three years ago I came across Alfie Kohn and some of his books and it opened my eyes to why our students today are a "what's in it for me" society, an extrinsic motivated society. Students who are rewarded for helping others will tend to only help others when they know someone (teacher) is watching them so that they can get a reward. So two years ago I completely did away with all extrinsic rewards and used minimum praise and switched to an intrinsic motivational classroom community. My students' parents loved the idea and were so impressed with how their child became less selfish and more compassionate for others. Rewards, praise, and prizes are simply behavior manipulation tools. To truly develop a child's character and love of learning, you have to inspire the heart and mind in a way that will promote a students' intrinsic motivation so that the student will continue to challenge and please themselves instead of doing something to please others.
ReplyDeleteSo, what do you do instead? What is n example from this book?
DeleteI agree in theory, however it really is age dependant. I would say that there is a give and take with reward systems. Reward systems like these cards from Tiffany are great because it is a cumulative PRIDE building effect and is the intrinsic reward before the report card! It's also a good indicator to gauge what's going well, and what may need extra INTRINSIC effort. I think a combination of the two is important in early grades, and once you reach grade three for example, a more worldly real-life character building perspective should be implemented.
DeleteI would also love to know when you take the time to do the punches. Do you have them somehow turn them in with their homework/spelling tests/etc or do you punch them as you hand back the homework or something? I am interested in how you do this without disrupting learning time. Love the idea.
ReplyDeleteI've been teaching for over11 years and am always revamping my rewards system. Do you know what the FREE thing was with Vista Print?
ReplyDeleteI love this! You go girl, this is awesome!
ReplyDeleteClass Dojo all the way! I do the same thing, but use "free rewards" such as sitting at my desk or bringing in a stuffed animal. I give them points for finishing assignments (such as center work...they quickly found out it wasn't graded) and for being a productive citizen in my classroom and outside of the classroom!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLove the card idea!!! I am a senior at a university and planning to graduate in December. I noticed a few said they used candy as rewards... in Alabama we CAN NOT do that, and I think as teachers we should not use candy as a reward. Also the American Diabetes Association frowns big time at that.
ReplyDeleteOh, and around where I live restaurants will give coupons to teachers for free....those are great rewards also!
DeleteBecause they were still kids they all love candies. And that's a reward.
ReplyDeleteFunbrain
I love what you did with Vistaprint. Just one question for you- How did you make the boxes on them? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhen i was student teaching in a 4th grade class we used class cash that the students earned by turning in homework, checking in on time, cleaning the room, doing their jobs, etc. They would save their money and could buy non candy objects such as if they forgot to get a new pencil or dry erase marker from the teacher before the bell rang they could "buy" one (the parent's brought in the stash of pencils/markers in the beginning of the school year). Other items they could save up for were sitting in the teacher's nice roll chair at their desk, sitting at the teacher's desk for the day, bringing in a "reading buddy" which was a stuffed animal, having lunch in the room on designated days and choosing to bring a friend from any class (bringing a friend was double, they could come alone), homework pass, wearing no shoes for the day, Special at the end of the year things: teaching a subject, skipping a subject and buying a can of pop on soda pop day.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to know how you did the designs with the little boxes as well
ReplyDeleteThe rewards cards were created with the loyalty card option under marketing materials. This is how you get the boxes on the card. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! You are wonderful teacher to have these tips. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteLove it! Thanks for sharing. I am a teacher in Australia, so not sure if I can get the same deal with the cards, but am going to try. Something I've used for rewards is giving them little basketball stickers on a chart (I printed and laminated a whole lot of basketballs and then had their names on the back of the door and they added them on with bluetac when they received one) and when they got to 10, they got 10 shots at the mini-basketball hoop that I had above our door. Once they received 10, they automatically got their prize (10mins on the iPads, 10 mins of free time, use my chair for the day etc) but if they got 3 in the hoop, they also got a dip out of the prize box. They absolutely LOVED it!I had children come from other classes at the beginning of lunch time as that's when we did the shots.
ReplyDeleteLove your reward system! Wondering if you could tell me where to get the containers...please email you response asap. I love to start with them but need to keep them organized. If possible email your freebies.....thanks for taking time and sharing your ideas.....
ReplyDeleteMelrsdz@gmail.com
Woo! Love these - I'm a Kindergarten teacher and I love the idea of the clean desk fairy. My kids would get way into that. The rewards cards would be great in my classroom too - the kids would really get into the system of building up punches! Thanks for the ideas!!
ReplyDeleteI've been using punch cards for weekly ELA tests and for behavior. It really does give them something to work for. On the test punch card, students are given 1 punch for a grade of 80-89, and 2 punches for a grade of 90-100. For unit tests I double the punches because the test is twice as long. We punch these once a week. Behavior cards are punched at the end of each day before going home. 1 punch if no tallies for the day. Prizes include: a homework pass, lunch with me in the classroom, 5 bee bucks ( a school incentive plan - PBIS) or some type of small trinket. ( ex: a cute keychain to hang on their bookbag.) You can purchase these cards from www.reallygoodstuff.com
ReplyDeleteI've been using punch cards for weekly ELA tests and for behavior. It really does give them something to work for. On the test punch card, students are given 1 punch for a grade of 80-89, and 2 punches for a grade of 90-100. For unit tests I double the punches because the test is twice as long. We punch these once a week. Behavior cards are punched at the end of each day before going home. 1 punch if no tallies for the day. Prizes include: a homework pass, lunch with me in the classroom, 5 bee bucks ( a school incentive plan - PBIS) or some type of small trinket. ( ex: a cute keychain to hang on their bookbag.) You can purchase these cards from www.reallygoodstuff.com
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to get a copy of your classroom helper report card? I think that is a fantastic idea. My students have been really slacking on their class jobs lately.
ReplyDeleteemmudie@gmail.com