In my classroom, I use a variety of positive reinforcement systems to encourage students to engage in positive behavior. I've found that these strategies can be easily personalized each year depending upon student needs.
PBSIS (School-wide Behavior Management System)
As a part of the school's Positive Behavior Support In Schools (PBSIS) program, I hand out Comet Cash tickets when students are demonstrating positive or productive behavior. More specifically, students earn Comet Cash tickets in my classroom for showing responsibility by completing their class jobs each week. Comet Cash tickets are also given out when a student shows respect or good citizenship, such as picking up a piece of work that fell down in the hallway. Students are also given the opportunity to recognize positive behavior in their classmates through our class shout-out system, which rewards students with Comet Cash when they receive a shout-out. Comet Cash tickets are drawn from the school-wide collection to recognize a winner from each grade level.
Pom-Pom Jar (Whole-class Behavior Management System)
As a whole-class behavior incentive, a pom-pom is added to a jar when I notice everybody (or mostly everybody) in the class is working hard and demonstrating positive behavior as a whole. The class can earn a pom-pom for walking nicely in the hallway, for transitioning quickly and quietly, for working productively without corrections, or for getting all A's and B's on a test. Once the jar is full, the students vote on a big class reward to celebrate their success. I have found that a whole-class system encourages teamwork and helps to support a productive work environment all throughout the year.
Superstar Cards (Individual Behavior Management System)
For a classroom-based individual reward system, each student starts with a blank superstar card. When I notice a particular student who stands out for demonstrating exceptionally positive behavior, hard work, or participation throughout the day, I will give them a star sticker to add to their card. This can also be personalized for specific student needs. Once their card is full, the student can redeem their completed card for an individual reward (prize box or coupon reward). Students have an unlimited amount of cards to fill throughout the year!
Expectations & Consequences
Students are expected to:
follow directions quickly and quietly
raise their hand before speaking in an instructional setting
respect their classmates, teachers, and supplies
show responsibility for their learning
When students are not following our classroom expectations, the following tiered procedure will be utilized to get them back on track.
Verbal warning (letting the student know they are not following expectations)
Redirection (relocating the student, providing an alternate task, taking a break, etc.)
One-on-one conversation (speaking with the student outside the classroom to determine what can be done to help)
Parent Contact (reaching out to a parent to inform them of the situation and collaborate on strategies)