Behavior Bucks

Behavior Bucks: Today I introduced "Behavior Bucks" in our classroom. The kids are VERY excited about this incentive. I'm not a huge fan of rewarding things that are expected behaviors; however, I believe at this young age, many still need guidance and training in learning what great student behavior looks like. I hope, in time, some of the positive behaviors I'm looking for will just become automatic.

Here's how it works.... Behavior Bucks are given as rewards for various things, like turning in homework on time, following my direction the first time, keeping things organized, helping others, displaying lots of effort at a task... it really depends and is a bit individual. I have a couple friends who need to work on organization, so they can earn a buck every time I see them displaying great effort to improve that. I have some friends who are working on not blurting out, so when I see their efforts at that, I reward them with a behavior buck. On Wednesdays, the "bank" is open from 11:50-12:10. My "junior teachers" for the day (two students are selected each day to be a Junior Teacher) open the bank and call back tables to "exchange" smaller bills for bigger bills and/or to "buy" a reward from the menu. I have developed a menu of items I have noticed the kids' interest in, things that don't cost any or much money. I have been so impressed in the past at how they work to set goals for themselves to improve a behavior they know they are struggling with. I also have been impressed at how they have learned about the value of things. Please let me know if you have any questions.