The little rewards for modeling good behavior...
I have Xerox copies of different coloring pages that the younger students love to get. Hello Kitty, Strawberry Shortcake, and unicorns, are great for the girls. For the boys I have Spiderman, Batman, dragons, and an Ironman that I drew. I tell the classes that I can usually only pick one boy and one girl from each class that have been good listeners and followed directions on cleanup. I also tell them not to be sad because we are taking turns each week. “If you don’t get one this time, maybe next time. For the older students I have copies of several things that I have drawn. I sometimes give out 2 sheets of cheap, large, white drawing paper that I have rolled up and taped. It is amazing how this gimmick really works on modeling good behavior.
I sometimes let a student go to my treasure box . I have a wooden box with an old ship painted on it. It is usually filled with McDonalds toys or dollar store items. I do this when I see a student show really good character by helping a friend, or if I ask a question about something that we might not have discussed in a while and they answer correctly. Maybe they just did an exceptional job cleaning up at the end of class. This tactic really makes the rest of the class want to mimic the good behavior to earn a trip. I also talk like a pirate when I send them to the box. A great teacher told me when I first started, that teaching was partly like acting. Being silly on occasion keeps it fun for the students and myself.
I sometimes let a student go to my treasure box . I have a wooden box with an old ship painted on it. It is usually filled with McDonalds toys or dollar store items. I do this when I see a student show really good character by helping a friend, or if I ask a question about something that we might not have discussed in a while and they answer correctly. Maybe they just did an exceptional job cleaning up at the end of class. This tactic really makes the rest of the class want to mimic the good behavior to earn a trip. I also talk like a pirate when I send them to the box. A great teacher told me when I first started, that teaching was partly like acting. Being silly on occasion keeps it fun for the students and myself.