Positive Reinforcement - New ideas please!!?

Question

I'm looking for fresh ideas on how to use positive reinforcement in my Year 1 classroom this year. I find that when focusing on positive behaviour in the classroom and rewarding that child or children, I usually don't have to say anything to the child that is behaving inappropriately. They will usually fall into line quickly when they see others being rewarded. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

For the entire class, there's the classic paper chain hanging from the ceiling. If the class has been good all day, or for a designated period, you add a link to the chain. Or you can add one whenever they are "caught being good" as a group. When the chain reaches the floor, the class gets a reward (pizza party, movie, etc.). Alternatively you can use marbles in a jar until the jar is full.

For individuals, I've had great success with a "Caught Being Good" chart. All the students' names go on the chart. When a student is being particularly good, he or she gets a point/star/sticker. At the end of the day, the student with the most points gets a certificate to take home. It's a bit of work, but excellent for a difficult class. Each day is a fresh new chart, so every student has a chance. Even the ones who pretend they're not interested get competitive. I just have to walk over to the chart, and they sit up and fold their hands.

I've also used a raffle ticket system. I carry the tickets around in my pocket. If I see excellent behavior from a student, I hand him/her a ticket. At the end of each week, I raffle off a prize. It's usually something very inexpensive, often a coupon for a privilege, like sitting in the teacher's chair during silent reading, or first choice of classroom jobs.

Lastly, this past year I picked a student at the end of each day to be the "Star Student." The next day, that student got to wear a badge and sit in the Star Student Chair. That's it. But the kids went crazy for it, and they never let me dismiss them for the day without telling them whom I had chosen. They especially knew that if they had been bad in the past, I would notice and choose them if they showed particular effort. Even if they were bad in the morning, they could turn it around and win Star Student. It was very effective.

Answer 2

Positive Reinforcement Ideas

Answer 3

First, rather than reminding students of the rules let them remind each other. I try to use peer pressure to my advantage. I like the idea of reward points, but rather than rewarding individual students, you can reward the class. Pick the time of day you have the most trouble. For me it was assemblies. If the students were good during the assembly, the entire class would earn a point. Before the assembly the students would remind me of the rules. For rewards each time they earned 10 class points we did a cooking project. At 50 points we had a special visitor (Principal, Firefighter, etc).

You can also use competition, "I think Mrs. Smith's class is doing an excellent job of walking down the hall quietly." Last year my class had a rival class and they competed to have the best hall behavior, assembly behavior, and car pool behavior. There was no reward.

If you do compliment individual children, make sure to find something positive about each one. If you don't, it appears you have favorites and the students who struggle with behavior will soon give up. I had one student that was always smiling, so I complimented that.

Answer 4

Hm, how about when they answer a question right or do something helpful in the classroom, they get a point. You could have a big board and give them a tally point every time they get a point. This will bring out their competitive spirit, which kids like. And then depending on how many points they have, they win prizes or get special treats. Such as winner of the week gets to sit at teacher's desk and be king/queen for the day.

Answer 5

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RE:
Positive Reinforcement - New ideas please!!?
I'm looking for fresh ideas on how to use positive reinforcement in my Year 1 classroom this year. I find that when focusing on positive behaviour in the classroom and rewarding that child or children, I usually don't have to say anything to the child that is behaving inappropriately. ...

Answer 6

I've used Good Behavior tickets. When you catch kids doing something good give them a ticket. They can save tickets to enter into a lottery for prizes (candy, pencils). It's amazing how much kids want to be recognized for good behavior. Don't over do the tickets though because good behavior is expected. Look for something specific...being prepared, notebooks open and ready to go, answering a question in class.

Answer 7

I try to leave notes in all my students' lockers or homework planners from time to time. If you need help thinking in things to say check out this document I found called 98 Ways, they are little phrases you can use when you don't seem to get inspired.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.2
1.You've got it made.
2.You're on the right track now!
3.You are very good at that.
4.That's very much better!
5.I'm happy to see you working like that.
6.You're doing a good job.
7.That's the best you've ever done.
8.I knew you could do it.
9.Now you've figured it out.
10.Now you have it!
11.GREAT!
12.Keep working – you're getting better.
13.You make it look easy.
14.That's the right way to do it.
15.You're getting better every day.
16.You're really growing up!
17.Nice going.
18.SENSATIONAL!
19.That's the way to do it.
20.That's better.
21.Best yet.
22.PERFECT!
23.You're really going to town!
24.TERRIFIC!
25.Much better!
26.You've just about mastered that!
27.OUTSTANDING!
28.You did that very well.
29.FANTASTIC!
30.You're really improving.
31.SUPERB!
32.Keep it up!
33.You've got that down pat!
34.TREMENDOUS!
35.Good thinking!
36.Keep on trying!
37.I've never seen anyone do it better.
38.I like that.
39.I'm very proud of you.
40.I think you've got it now.
41.You figured that out fast.
42.That's really nice.
43.You're right.
44.CLEVER!
45.That's great!
46.Way to go.
47.Now you have the hang of it!
48.You've done a great job.
49.Congratulations, you got it right50.You're beautiful.
51.That's RIGHT!
52.That's GOOD!
53.When I'm with you I feel like singing!
54.GOOD WORK!
55.I'm proud of the way you worked today.
56.You're really working hard today.
57.You've just about got it.
58.THAT'S IT!
59.Congratulations!
60.That's quite an improvement.
61.You are doing that much better today.
62.I sure am happy you're my daughter/son/student, etc.
63.You're learning fast.
64.Good for you!
65.Couldn't have done it better myself.
66.You really make being a parent/teacher/caregiver fun.
67.One more time and you'll have it.
68.You did it that time!
69.That's the way!
70.SUPER DUPER!
71.You haven't missed a thing.
72.Keep up the good work.
73.Nothing can stop you now!
74.EXCELLENT!
75.That's the best ever.
76.FINE!
77.Wonderful!
78.That's better than ever.
79.I appreciate your hard work.
80.Now that's what I call a fine job!
81.You must have been practising!
82.You're doing beautifully.
83.Right on!
84.Good remembering!
85.You did a lot of work today!
86.You certainly did well today.
87.You're doing fine.
88.You are really learning a lot.
89.You outdid yourself today!
90.SPLENDID!
91.Good going!
92.MARVELLOUS!
93.You're doing the best you can!
94.Good job.
95.You remembered.
96.That gives me a happy feeling.
97.Well, look at you go!
98.DYNAMITE!

Answer 8

1. A Star Chart--- good kids will receive star stickers that amount to small prizes-- erasers, pencils, sharpeners, keychains (no candy)
Have students all be moniters, helping each other out to get stars--- kids will be more eager to help erase the board, pick up trash, help a hurt child, raise their hands, etc.
It will make your job more fun and entertaining!
Good luck!
The rewarding system always works! ^_^

Answer 9

Use words other than "don't, stop, quit" Instead of saying "don't do that" say, "Could you do it this way?" This changes the emphasis away from the negative and puts the child in the frame of mind that there are positive rewards for doing what you are saying. Kids want attention...any kind...If you give them a "don't statement," they will respond to the negative attention and do what you told them not to do.

Answer 10

Give each student a classroom job. cleaning erasers, overhead, chalkboard, passing out papers, etc. When a job is done they receive classroom cash. Give it a fun name like - Custer Cash.
On Friday have a store. Kids can buy things from the store withe the money they have EARNED. This gives you the opportunity to have a neat class and gives them the chance to learn about money.