I’m all about incentives in the classroom. I refer to these incentives as ways to keep the class quiet prize winning opportunities. Spend a day in my class, and you will probably have about 87 different chances to win something. Prizes range anywhere from the extremely popular poppers and bouncy balls, all the way to full on parties.
One of my biggest incentives revolves around bucket filling. I don’t do individual bucket filling in my room. Instead, my class works to fill up one class bucket. I use a red beach pail, and fill it up with fuzzies {pom poms}. Sometimes it’s a small fuzzy and sometimes it’s a big fuzzy.
There are many ways that my class can fill our bucket. I will put in a fuzzy in if everyone stays on green card all day, if another teacher compliments our class behavior, or if the class completes an activity quietly without needing to be reminded. They get SO excited when I add a fuzzy! And when another teacher compliments us, I hear 20 different voices ask, “Do we get a fuzzy?!”
Since I have other incentives going on at the same time, and since students have plenty of opporunities to win those small prizes, the class bucket is more of a long term reward. It takes about 2-3 months to fill up the pail… sometimes we go a few days straight where cards change, or sometimes they only earn a small fuzzy. I set it up {and maybe I cheat a little} so that the bucket will only be filled four times throughout the year. Therefore, I have four BIG rewards! Fill it once, popcorn party; twice, cookie party; three times, cupcake party; and four times, ice cream sundae party!
We filled our bucket once already and earned a popcorn party. I went all out! Three different types of popcorn, cute popcorn boxes, and a movie {because who can eat popcorn without a good movie?!}. We’re well on our way to a cookie party now. I’ll buy a few different varieties, provide milk, and probably show another movie 🙂
I created a really cute sign to go with my bucket:
And while I have your attention… 🙂 I just added my page to Facebook. Follow me!!! 🙂 🙂
ahh, so cute!! P.S. can you email me? I tried finding your address but don't see it. misskindergarten@hotmail.com
🙂
Hadar
I love that sign! We do behavior bingo to earn class wide rewards and when they get a bingo, I'm usually scrambling to come up with a reward for them. I love how your rewards keep building, I can't wait to use your adorable freebie! 🙂
Lisa
Stories From Second
I love the sign and will be using it on Monday 🙂 I also do classwide bucket filling and we use "warm fuzzies", it has made a huge difference in my classroom 🙂 Thanks for the freebie and I look forward to reading more ideas! P.S. I'm your 300th follower…yeah 🙂 Congrats 🙂
Lisa 🙂
http://madeintheshadeinsecondgrade.blogspot.com/
Oh my gosh – I LOVE it!!!!!
I just gave you the Versatile Blogger award. Come on over to check it out!
Holly
Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade
Very neat idea. I'm new to your blog, but can you help me understand how you maintain the multi-incentive classroom? I get hectic when I have more than 2 centers running. Can't imagine how you do it. Thanks!
What a cute blog! Can't wait to explore it more! 🙂
Jenn
A Pirates Life for Us
Very cute. We do pioneer points. The kids choose a goal each month and then if they reach it they choose their reward. It is a very student led award system.
I gave you the Versatile Blog award! Come on by to check it out.
Dianne
Hopelessly Devoted to Teaching
LOVE your blog! I gave you an award over at my blog 🙂
http://thelandof2ndgrade.blogspot.com/
Love this! Thank you for my award! You are such a sweetie! (I entered the giveaway, too!)
Jennifer
First Grade Blue SKies