Time to link up with Joanne over at Head Over Heels for Teaching for Saturday Motivations.
We are a PBIS school.
That stands for Positive Behavior Instructional Support.
For those who don't know what that is, it's a way to focus on positive behaviors for students which will lessen negative behaviors.
We are in year 2. Last year, we worked on common goals in all common areas of our school.
Our motto focuses on
Be Safe
Be Responsible
Be Respectful
This year we are focusing on more rewards.
We are implementing "Cat Cash" (we are the wildcats)
Here's how it works:
Each teacher and aide was given a book of Cat Cash. There are duplicate copies.
All adults "catch" students being safe, responsible and
We give them cat cash which they can redeem for rewards.
We have Reward Fridays where students redeem their cash. They can purchase outside time at lunch, they can wear a hat during the day, "buy" lunch with a teacher, stuff like that. We actually have a school wide bulletin board that shows all of this for the students. Sorry, I don't have a picture for you.
Teachers can receive "Cat Cash" too. If we attend an after school event, community event, things like that one of the PBIS members will reward us with cat cash. We use ours to "buy" a jean day! We can also "buy" a period off or a longer lunch break.
Things are going well, but we have a long way to go. We are coming up with more rewards and more opportunities for students to spend their cash. We also have to get more teachers to give out the cash.
I am GUILTY! I just plain forget to give it out.
So, since I am sharing this, it is my goal to give more. I support PBIS 100%, now I need to prove it!
UPDATE: I started this post a LONG time ago. Since then, I am happy to report I am giving out more cat cash. I have found that on my duty day, which is Friday mornings (ugh!), it works wonders to keep them calm until the bell rings for first period!
My new goal is to get some more reward ideas, things that are simple and free. I saw some coupons in the Winter Freebies from TpT and that has sparked some ideas. How about a late pass??? Our kids are ALWAYS tardy, I think they would like this one.
How about you? How are you keeping your kids (or yourself) motivated right now?
Link up and share!
This is such a great idea to do as a school! I'm sure your kids love getting their cash. I know I'd love to buy a jeans day!
ReplyDeleteWe are a PBIS school and just started a motivational program using "pom pons" that are awarded randomly to students following any of the three traits (they are posted in each classroom). The "pom pons" are placed in a container in each homeroom to keep track of how many the students earn. I love how your teachers can earn "cat cash" too!
ReplyDelete~Holly
Fourth Grade Flipper
We became a PBIS school this year and we're also the Wildcats! :) I like the individual nature of your rewards and how each student can choose what works best for them. A few other ideas: choose your lunch table, choose your seat in class for a day, sit in a special seat (rolling chair, beanbag, whatever), out of uniform for gym, check out an extra library book, or recite the Pledge of Allegiance on the announcements. Our kids all have monthly cards that they carry around and each teacher has a stamp. We can stamp their cards when they exhibit one of our five traits (prepared, respectful, independent, disciplined, and empathetic). We have a monthly incentive and students are invited to participate when they earn a set number of stamps for the month. Students who fall short stay back with a teacher and work on PBIS reflections to help them be more successful in the future. So far, we've had a movie showing, a staff vs. students volleyball game, and outside activity time. This month, we're having a dance. The incentives typically last 45-90 minutes. In addition to those incentives, we recognize students who earn the most stamps in their grade level by awarding them "Student of the Month." Teachers can get shout outs which are read over the announcements. One teacher a month gets a "free" period when the administrator teaches in place of the teacher.
ReplyDeleteWere are also a PBIS school and have PBIS Bucks. They can buy items at the school store. We stock the school store with items that we purchase with our silent auction items from our back-to-school open house. We also have PBIS dances/celebrations during the year where the profit from refreshments goes into that budget as well. Students like to buy using the teacher's chair for a class period, swapping desks for a class period, front of the lunch line pass, teacher assistant, things like that. I have also had students buy getting to use the teacher's pencil box for the day (which I stock with nice scissors, glue, fresh colored pencils, new Sharpies and highlighters) since their supplies tend to get lost and worn down.
ReplyDeleteI was giggling reading about you forgetting to give out cat cash. I am notorious for forgetting to pass out tickets in my class. I'm awful about implementing something for a little bit and then it drizzling off. That's one great thing about looping...it truly breaks down on behavior problems.
ReplyDeleteAlison
Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'
I really like this idea, especially that teachers can earn rewards too! (Who couldn't use a little extra lunch time??) More importantly, the students look to us to model our expectations. Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteJennifer
Mrs. Laffin's Laughings
I love school wide incentive programs! And, I can relate about sometimes neglecting to pass out rewards/tickets-it sometimes escapes us in our busy day! I think a late pass will be a hit as a reward with the kids. **I want a teacher reward-so awesome! Thanks for sharing and linking up Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteJoanne
Head Over Heels For Teaching