What are some positive enforcements I can use in a 7th grade classroom?

Question

I want to set up something like a sticker chart for good behavior but Im not sure if that is too "Baby" for my students....

What would work for my classroom management.

Answer 1

Sticker charts no, not even if teaching dcd or spec ed. How about ticket draws: can you get(or make) room tickets or large roll of those little paper admit one ticks? Spontaneously give one out to one or two doing what they should. Have them put names on the back and do a weekly draw for candy, special privilege. (You'd be surprised what these kids will do for a can of pop, or a one day late homework pass!)

Answer 2

Your 7th graders aboslutely need positive renforcements! No stickers--way too primary.

Try a token economy like those listed above (just make sure that they are responsible for the bulk of the work here --they get the ticket, put the name on it, put it in the bucket etc. Also, have a neutral person do the drawing.)

You might also want to add some competitions between your sections by doing a point competition. The first class that earns x amount of points gets a class prize (popcorn party, freetime, etc) Points can be earned by catching people on task, overall good behavior, everyone on time, all homework turned in, following directions about proceedures (esp. those that are struggling with a particular proceedure) This gives you a chance to get those kids who will never earn a ticket individually a chance to help the class out. For example, a student who rearely does homework actually comes in with it. Give the class points just because he did his homework. He'll be a hero and want to do his homework more often. NEVER take the points away.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I work with girls in the Middle School range. I use a chart to monitor positive behavior or changes. You could use stickers to keep track.
At the end of the week/month (whatever time limit you determine) the kids with the highest points or over a set goal get a "treat". Our treats range from candy to little toys.
This way they are striving for a goal but don't get rewarded for every little thing they do. It keeps them motivated when they never know what the suprise is.

Answer 4

Please...by this age encouragement for those doing well on their work is good and their grades should reflect their behavior.
Students who are acting up in class should be made to sit in a corner facing the wall. A little humilation for one or two student examples should calm the class down for the remainder of the year.
The ones that behave will be on your 'good' chart and they already know who they are....your students who misbehave have no incentive really to behave properly no matter what you do unless what you do is actually directed at them. Ive seen teachers send kids out of the classroom for disrupting.....wow...big whoop...they get to sit outside...their gonna get a bad grade anyway....they should sit in the corner and listen to your lecture etc and you should call on them to participate while their sitting in front of the class. I can gaurantee you no one's gonna want to misbehave in your class.

Answer 5

No one is too old for positive reinforcements! Where I work, for example, the biggest complaint is that we don't hear about the *good* things we do for people - just the stuff we screw up on.

So -

I really like the idea of finding a reward system for your students. I also like the idea of their input. I would present it to them by saying something like "I really want to focus on tangible rewards for good/improving work, what would be meaningful/fun/cool for you?" [Note: I think it's equally important to recognize improving grades/effort as it is to recognize already good grades/effort.]

If nothing comes to mind or if they don't come up with anything you find reasonable, may I suggest homework passes? Little home-made coupons you print out on your computer that say "good for full credit on one assignment" or something to that effect. Kids can use them if they've forgotten to do an assignment, with the understanding they still have to pass the test. My junior high teachers did this and it was GREAT.

Hope this helps!

--a former teacher

Answer 6

we sort of had something like a sticker chart. When you are seen being good, you got a sheet of paper that said "caught being good". This could counts as a late homework for full credit sheet, or getting a candy bar of your choice from the teacher.

Answer 7

make a science buck or math buck watever you teach then either hav a drawing or giv them say a candy bar for 10 of them or do class points. if you get 50 pojnts by end of semester or year you get a pizza party. If one screws up they all screw up they may not like it but it will keep em in line and they will hav fun doing it maybe giv them smaller prizes as the points add up like a popcorn party when hit 20 pts then a eating in class day at 30 pts and watch a movie day at 40 pts email me if you hav any questions [e-mail]

Answer 8

My 7th grade math teacher would hand out tickets. At the end of a month, we would use the tickets for a Candy Auction.

Answer 9

Why not ask your students? Explain to them the whole positive/negative reinforcement scheme and ask them to come up with positive reinforcers. While I'm sure you'll have to veto many suggestions, I'm also sure they have a better understanding of how to reward them than any of us, including yourself. :)

Answer 10

give them the old hickory stick works everytime