Positive Behavior Rewards in the Classroom

Rewarding positive behavior is a big part of my counseling with individuals, in the classroom, and with my family. I am a big believer in the Nurtured Heart Approach and and how building the inner wealth of our kids can help them be the best the can be.

My first positive behavior reward I use in the classroom is the Spin Da Wheel. This is an iPhone app that is free on the iTunes store.

Image of the Spin Da Wheel on the classroom smart board. The rewards on the wheel are Go Noodle, Use Markers, or 3 min. Free Time.

At the beginning of classroom counseling, I will set three timers. When the timer goes off and all of the students are following expectations, I will spin the wheel. What ever it lands on is the reward they get at that moment. My goal is to pick out rewards that are free (or almost free), quick, and easy. A few of my favorites are: dance party, free your piggies (taking your shoes off), telling jokes, a Would You Rather question, and Go Noodle. I have also had a Mystery Jar as one of the rewards. Depending on what I have on hand, I will put in tootsie rolls, bubble gum, stickers, or Lifesaver breath mints in the jar. One of my easiest reward was wearing a hat with a propellor on the top, kindergartners loved this one.

The other positive behavior reward system was the Greatness Cones. Each mini traffic cone had an inspirational word on it. I found these cones at the Dollar Tree.

During classroom counseling time, cones were put on students desk when they were showing positive behaviors/greatness and I made sure to acknowledge their behaviors to the class. Periodically, I would move them to other students in the class. The students enjoyed this so much they started to ask if they could pick a person and acknowledge their greatness.

Through my experience, I have found that giving energy to the positive and not the negative has been a very effective classroom management tool for me. Rewarding the positive behaviors helps me create a fun environment that I still have control over. It gives the students something to continually strive for.