Reinforcement

I use a whole-class reinforcement system called TEACHER VS. STUDENTS.  This is a playful, motivating way to reinforce both behavior and academic effort. Students are constantly working to earn points in order to beat me.  Both TEACHER and STUDENT points can be earned based on the actions of the group or individuals. 

"We earn as a team and learn as a team."

STUDENTS can earn points by meeting behavior expectations, demonstrating academic skills, being extra helpful or kind, turning in paperwork, and more!  When students earn 10 points, one student gets to pick a prize for the whole class.  We rotate through an alphabetical list of students when picking prizes. Each time they earn 10 points, they get to fill a box on the big prize tracker.  Every 100 points means a higher reinforcement.  In addition to reviewing how they can earn points, students also brainstorm ideas for reward menus for each type of prize.  You can see those below. 

The trick of the game is that students also earn the TEACHER points by making unexpected or poor choices.   If the teacher earns ten points, students will participate in a lesson and activity targeting the main behavior concern at the time.  For example, if students are struggling with tattling, we will work on a lesson called In or Out - are you getting your friends IN trouble or OUT of danger.  A note is sent home to parents, along with the completed activity, to let them know what behavior skill was worked on and to encourage accountability at home.

In addition to our TEACHER VS. STUDENTS reinforcement system, students also have the opportunity to earn and manage their own classroom currency through the Clixby Class Store — an economy system designed to build real-world money management, responsibility, and organizational skills while also providing further reinforcement and motivation.

How Students Earn Money
Each student has a personal bank account, tracked in Google Sheets, which they can check anytime by scanning the QR code on their personal debit card or login card. Students earn money through:

✅ Daily attendance ($5 per day)

⭐ Hard work and meeting classroom expectations (Tracked through Class Dojo)

💵 Bonus opportunities, such as scoring 100% on a test or showing improvement on an assessment (Issued via check)

Services & Supplies
Just like in the real world, students are responsible for a few "expenses." These are tracked on a services and supplies bill and may include things like:

✏️ Replacing lost or misused classroom supplies (I restock supplies at the start of each month and ask students to stay organized and keep track of their own materials)

📱 Paying to have their iPad unlocked after misuse

🧹 A "housekeeping fee" if a staff member has to clean up after them

The Store
Students can spend their earnings in our classroom store, where items are priced starting at $5. Some items are tangible prizes, while others are coupons redeemable for experiences, such as a "treat with the teacher" or "green light iPad" time.

A Note on Reinforcement Philosophy
This system runs alongside, but separately from, our TEACHER VS. STUDENTS point system. My belief that students should never lose earned points or privileges still stands. The Clixby Class Store operates more like a real-world paycheck: students earn money for positive behavior and effort, and, like any job, may have small deductions for things like replacing supplies or covering the cost of a mistake. These deductions are tied to specific, tangible responsibilities — not to behavior points or earned privileges, which are never taken away.